How Do You Read a Vintage Louis Vuitton Date Code?

If you own a vintage Louis Vuitton bag, you may have noticed a series of letters and numbers printed somewhere on the bag’s interior. This is known as the date code, and it can tell you a lot about when and where your bag was made. In this article, we’ll teach you how to read a vintage Louis Vuitton date code.

What is a Date Code?

A date code is a series of letters and numbers that are used by Louis Vuitton to indicate when and where a particular item was made. The code typically consists of two letters followed by four numbers. The first two letters represent the location where the item was made, while the numbers indicate the month and year of production.

Where to Find Your Date Code

The location of your date code will depend on the style of your bag. For example, if you have a Speedy bag, the date code will be located inside the pocket on the right-hand side of the interior. If you have a Neverfull or Alma bag, the date code will be located on a small leather tab inside the bag.

How to Read Your Date Code

The first two letters in your date code represent the location where your bag was made. Here are some common codes:

  • SD – USA
  • FL – France
  • VI – Italy
  • TH – Spain
  • DU – Germany

After the first two letters, there will be four numbers that indicate the month and year of production. The first two numbers represent the month, while the second two numbers represent the year. For example, if your date code is SD0031, this means that your bag was made in the USA (SD) in March of 2001 (0031).

What Your Date Code Can Tell You

Knowing how to read your date code can provide you with some useful information about your vintage Louis Vuitton bag. For example, if your date code indicates that your bag was made in France, this means that it is likely to be an older piece, as Louis Vuitton has moved much of its production to other countries in recent years.

Additionally, a date code can help you determine whether or not a bag is authentic. If the date code on a bag doesn’t match up with the known production locations and dates for Louis Vuitton, then it’s likely to be a fake.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to read a vintage Louis Vuitton date code, you’ll be able to glean some valuable information about your bag’s history. Just remember that while the date code can provide some clues about when and where your bag was made, it’s not always foolproof. If you’re ever unsure about the authenticity of your vintage Louis Vuitton bag, it’s always best to consult an expert.