Another thank you for the heads up and for writing them! These are such valuable guides. Copy them while you can!
answers to AUTHENTICITY questions!!!
- Thread starter kallison
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
Out of curiosity, did anyone ever figure out why the Made in Turkey 1941 western embroidery bags had the dot on the made in label?
Here's a few of the authenticated ones with the dot:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach.889527/page-1778#post-31943990
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach.889527/page-1489
Post 22326 and 22350, 26659 and 26662
I had the western rivets saddle 23 and forgot to check the tag for the dot before I sold it. It was made in Turkey too.
Here's a few of the authenticated ones with the dot:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach.889527/page-1778#post-31943990
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach.889527/page-1489
Post 22326 and 22350, 26659 and 26662
I had the western rivets saddle 23 and forgot to check the tag for the dot before I sold it. It was made in Turkey too.
Fake serial number update:
H5N-789075 - ALWAYS FAKE, NO EXCEPTIONS.
The serial number has an invalid plant code for the date indicated in the number, and there should never be SIX NUMBERS in the second half of the serial number that shows the style number, at least not as of this date (mid-2018). The creeds and this fake number are often used in fabric bags although most of these fake creeds say the bag is made of cowhide. A large number of these fakes appeared in and around the middle of 2018 although at least one example was spotted in 2015 and another as early as 2010, all apparently from the same China-based source. (added May 2018)
H5N-789075 - ALWAYS FAKE, NO EXCEPTIONS.
The serial number has an invalid plant code for the date indicated in the number, and there should never be SIX NUMBERS in the second half of the serial number that shows the style number, at least not as of this date (mid-2018). The creeds and this fake number are often used in fabric bags although most of these fake creeds say the bag is made of cowhide. A large number of these fakes appeared in and around the middle of 2018 although at least one example was spotted in 2015 and another as early as 2010, all apparently from the same China-based source. (added May 2018)
Side-by-side comparison of vintage Watson #9981. Authentic on the left, fake on the right.
1. Creeds - fake serial number not centered, invalid plant code, wonky fonts and spacing.
2. Strap - fake only has 3 holes. Note different size hardware on strap attachments, shape of bottom curve.
3. Backs - pocket curve; placement of keeper between layers of strap
4. Bottoms - seam in the center on the fake
5. Sides - shape of bottom curve on strap attachments; hardware
1. Creeds - fake serial number not centered, invalid plant code, wonky fonts and spacing.
2. Strap - fake only has 3 holes. Note different size hardware on strap attachments, shape of bottom curve.
3. Backs - pocket curve; placement of keeper between layers of strap
4. Bottoms - seam in the center on the fake
5. Sides - shape of bottom curve on strap attachments; hardware
Attachments
He kept insisting it was authentic, offered a partial refund, and finally, after eBay removed the listing, he gave me a refund. He didn't want to pay for return shipping so I kept the bag.
Just a slight clarification. It isn't an invalid plant code. G is a valid plant code for the US. It just isn't the correct spacing, font, or alignment for the G plant. Although it is doubtful that this particular style was ever made in the G plant. Every one I've seen was made in either the D or M plant.
R3F - ALWAYS-FAKE SERIAL NUMBER PREFIX
The above prefix is starting to show up in a variety of fakes. The "R" month code was NEVER used by Coach, and the "F" plant code was only used for a very short time, maybe only from 1993 to 1995, so far is found only in briefcases, and includes a unique Times New Roman-style font that is almost never found on any other Coaches. Here's a thumbnail of a GENUINE F plant serial:
And here are thumbnails of 2 fakes:
The above prefix is starting to show up in a variety of fakes. The "R" month code was NEVER used by Coach, and the "F" plant code was only used for a very short time, maybe only from 1993 to 1995, so far is found only in briefcases, and includes a unique Times New Roman-style font that is almost never found on any other Coaches. Here's a thumbnail of a GENUINE F plant serial:
And here are thumbnails of 2 fakes:
I have a question! I see from this post that there are a lot of fake vintage bags. Would you assume something like this is fake because it has clips on the side to make it convertable? Isn't the idea of the convertable bag more recent?https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CO...h=item1cb9718d2e:g:XoMAAOSwlgFbnAmt:rk:8:pf:0
Clips to attach straps were used quite a long time ago. The bag in the listing was made around 1978-1983.
As proof, here's the same style from even earlier than the one in that listing - from Coach's 1976 mini-catalog when the style was called the Zippered Clutch (the 9635 Convertible Clutch also with clips was shown in the same mini-catalog):
