answers to AUTHENTICITY questions!!!

[holiday123]

View attachment 4250750
Is this real?
It’s from a gray 1941 rivets duffle!
Does the F mean factory
Thank you

Hi, the F on that side of the dash is the date code. F is June . Here is a picture of the Creed in my duffle 20 for comparison.

 

[muggles]

Hi, the F on that side of the dash is the date code. F is June . Here is a picture of the Creed in my duffle 20 for comparison.

Thank you! Appreciate it! [emoji16]

 

[Hyacinth]

NEW FAKE SERIAL NUMBER - F04U-7057

Two fakes have just been identified with the same fake serial number F04U-7057. There are usually problems with the bags' styles, but the creeds are scarily close to what appear to be genuine ones from the U plant in 2004. One bag had a very fake price tag and hangtag along with sloppy details and slightly off-center C pattern, the other one had C pattern outside fabric with a Logo lining.

Here are two of the fake creeds, both black, with a probably genuine red one with a different month code and style number for comparison. There are tiny differences in things like spacing (especially the "handcraftedinchinafrom" and "ourcommitment" run-together lines found only in the fakes), width of margins, depth of stamping and even where the stitching around the creed has been double-stitched. But right now it seems safe to assume that ALL bags with that style number 7057 and an F04U- prefix are fake.

 

[madisonave5011]

Hello. Saw this at a vintage mall. There is no coach branding on it but the leather is in very good condition / quality. The zipper pull says “TALON”. Not sure if coach ever made pouches like this without a story patch? Seller didn’t have any additional information.

 

[whateve]

Hello. Saw this at a vintage mall. There is no coach branding on it but the leather is in very good condition / quality. The zipper pull says “TALON”. Not sure if coach ever made pouches like this without a story patch? Seller didn’t have any additional information.

Sorry, without a Coach label of some kind, there is no way to prove it is a Coach. When Coach made pouches like this, they had an inside pocket with a creed. Is it possible someone removed the pocket?

 

[madisonave5011]

Sorry, without a Coach label of some kind, there is no way to prove it is a Coach. When Coach made pouches like this, they had an inside pocket with a creed. Is it possible someone removed the pocket?

I don’t think so. I know it was a long shot. The leather just felt so good and it felt like coach construction there was just no branding. Since I wasn’t sure I left it at the flea market [emoji854]

 

[criseldaph]

(note: if there is something i missed, or that needs to be elaborated on, please correct me!)

Alright, I figured we could use a thread to condense our knowledge of how to determine a fake.

First, NO style is exempt from being faked. Please don’t assume that, just because it is a new style, that it cannot be faked.

Second, as a generality, all-leather bags are not faked. They just are not cost efficient for the fakers. And you can usually tell real leather and the fake stuff when it’s on the entire bag (as opposed to trims, etc).


Now the little details…for signature.

The signature c’s are ALWAYS symmetrical. If there is a seam down the middle of the bag, each side is an exact mirror image of the other side. *there is a SMALL exception for the mini signature pieces, but that is only a small difference.
The symmetry is usually the most reliable way to determine a fake signature bag.
authentic:

fake:

The double c’s should touch, making what looks like a broken infinity sign. (it ends up being, basically, every other set of c’s).
authentic:

The c’s have a little “hook” to them. If they’re all completely a curve, it’s fake. (this goes for mini signature as well).

The signature is NEVER crooked or slanting. (I think there was one exception to this, that I know of, where it was at an angle…I think it was a holiday bag?)

If you are looking at a signature stripe piece, the part below the stripe should continue the part that was cut off above. (so if you take away the stripe, the two parts will fit together as a perfect c).
authentic: Coach - SIGNATURE STRIPE REVERSIBLE TOTE


Other stuff…

Check coach.com or the drilldown for pictures of how the bags are supposed to look. Familiarize yourself with authentic bags.

It’s difficult to tell in auctions, but the hardware is NOT cheap and light. It is substantial and has weight to it. The hardware is usually stamped, but that varies with each bag.

When looking at patchwork bags, there is NO variation. If there is supposed to be a pink patch by the handle, it is ALWAYS supposed to be there. They are not individual patchworks.

Hangtags match the leather on the bag (ie, no vachetta and a red hangtag). Just having a hangtag is NOT proof of authenticity. These are very easy to swipe…and you can easily get replacements from coach.
authentic:

There are some bags that do not have leather hangtags, but are metal. These are NOT cheap feeling, either. It isn’t enough to determine authenticity by just looking at a hangtag.
authentic:

The stitching is even and neat. Coach does NOT make sloppy bags with uneven stitching or send out sloppily made bags.

Dustbags come in two main looks. The outlet bag is white with red lettering, while the full-price one is brown with red lettering. Both say “COACH est. 1941” and have a red drawstring. (It is notable that the outlet bags are much thinner than the ones you get at a full-price store). There are special edition dustbags out there for certain bags, but they do NOT look cheap.
authentic:

All BAGS have a serial number. Smaller items, like wristlets, do not. the creed is never crooked and the words are always spaced evenly.
authentic:

authentic:

Signature bags do NOT have signature linings.

Coach does indeed have outlets (bags purchased there will have factory tags- and, usually, the bullseye stamp on the creed or somewhere else). These are NOT seconds- they are the same quality as full-price stores. If a seller is claiming to sell seconds, or that they were purchased wholesale, it's a 99.9% chance they are fake.

Factory stores do sell bags that are occasionally a bit “beat up” (like floor models), but these are at a greater discount. As a whole, these are not available often.


The auction itself…

If you are looking on ioffer, just assume it's fake. While there ARE authentic bags there, the fakes outnumber them BIG TIME!

Look at the price. Is it a BIN for less than $100 on a brand new bag? Chances are it’s fake (or someone is pretty desperate for money, but that’s doubtful!)

Is it a “one day only” auction? Chances are it’s a fake.

How is the sellers feedback? Do they have negatives for selling fakes?

How are the pictures? If they are blurry, not detailed, or stock pictures, be cautious. Ask the seller for additional, clear pictures- if they do not respond, it’s best to stay away.

Are there large quantities of the bag/wallet/key fob available? Coach (full-price and factory) usually limit quantities- so the chance of a seller having 40 of the same bag is pretty unlikely.

As always, if you are not sure, PLEASE post in our AUTHENTICATE THIS! sticky at the top of the page. Better to be safe than sorry!!!

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...ost-for-format.889527/page-2295#post-32891286

 

[Hyacinth]

Please use the Authenticate This Coach thread for authentications.

Follow the instructions in post number one. And allow the authenticators who are all in the US enough time to reply. Don't expect an immediate answer when it's after midnight in the USA.

Thank you.

 

[Hyacinth]

Fake serial number - 1110-119

Somehow this one slipped by me when we first spotted it a few years ago, but now we've seen enough examples to add it to the list. It was first mentioned here on Nov 9, 2016 and the post includes a photo:

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...ost-for-format.889527/page-1225#post-30790245

Another one may show up on Poshmark, the number is very hard to read but the creed font and other stamping details are totally wrong:


Here's another very old example from Poshmark, where old fakes go to die:

 

[Hyacinth]

NEW FAKE SERIAL NUMBER - L05Q-1388

The L05Q- prefix is popular with fakes makers, although that prefix also shows up in genuine bags.

We've seen a lot of fake L05Q- and L06Q- prefixes, mostly with 5688 style numbers (-5688 belongs ONLY to a Mens' wallet) but a few -1388 fakes have also turned up. There's nothing we've found so far in genuine Coaches that matches that style number except a pair of Men's Chukka-style shoes listed as G1388. It definitely doesn't belong to a handbag.

Here's a creed sample:

 

[Finley28]

Frequently-used Fake Coach Serial Numbers, updated

Please remember, this list is an introduction, NOT an all-inclusive list. There are thousands of fakes that won't have any of those numbers, and many fakes, especially newer ones, can have accurate serial numbers. Also remember that no one can say if a bag is genuine just from the serial number! Clear close-up photos of the inside and outside are always needed.


COACHES WITH THESE 6-DIGIT NUMBERS ARE ALWAYS FAKE
NT-4903
NT-4908
NT-4115
NT-4157
NT-9992
DK-8674
TF-6823
TN-4136
TN-4186
TN-9085
TN-9096
TN-9927
TN-9951
4C-8624
4C-9911
40-8624
7H-7456
KE-6042
JH-9080

ANY Coach bag with only two letters or one number and one letter to the left of the hyphen can be assumed to be fake.

501-20 + all similar numbers starting with 101-, 202-, 501-, 701-, or any other group of 3 numbers with a zero in the middle, followed by 2 or 3 numbers after the dash and usually with a patch that says "made in Korea" - FAKE.
Coach NEVER made bags in Korea and never used serial numbers with only 5 or 6 digits like this:
"xxx-xx" or "xxx-xxx" and without the abbreviated "No." in front of the numbers. Except for a few items with 6-digit serial numbers made and marked for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Coach never used serial numbers with 6 digits or less.

Coach never made 'classic' leather bags with matching sewn-on cell phone holders.


These numbers on PURSES are always fake:

H4B-0516

H4B-0678

H4B-0517

H4B-0520

H4B-0532

HRB-0516

Probably ANY HANDBAG serial number beginning with H4B followed by a style # beginning with 05xx is probably fake (bags with style numbers beginning with 98xx or 99xx are usually genuine). The H4B-05xx sequence belonged to travel and business bags and briefcases.

012-3445

A2G-6094 and A2J-6094 - or ANY bag ending in 6094 - Fake if it's NOT a Signature Demi Bag, and there are fakes of that style too.

A5B-3906 - fake Sonoma Double Zip Bags

J4D-4133 - Fake if it's NOT a Waverly Bag

L4C-9941 or LAC-9941

M4N-4154 - possibly fake
Anything starting with M4N is suspect and should be authenticated by an expert.

0444-317, 0444-316 AND 0444-315 and possibly others beginning with 0444 - some "classic" fakes are showing up with these numbers and have a number of mistakes in the creed stamps and on the bags themselves. Assume they're all fake.

00138 - always fake, with or without any numbers or letters in front of it

308-9875

308-9937 - probably fake

233-5678 - probably fake

DEJ-9816 and ECC-9816 - fake prefix and incorrect suffix, 9816 belongs to a "classic" Duffle Sac. These numbers are ALWAYS fake.

G7D-8188 - has shown up on several recent fakes

There are some ending in -9927 but aren't Willis Bags, and -5130 sometimes shows up on bags that aren't Station Bags.

There are fake Signature Stripe Denim Totes and Signature Stripe Denim Satchels using fake serial numbers ending in 11192 and 11190. All these bags are counterfeit. Coach didn't use these numbers in any of their bags.

Any recent (made later than 2004) or current model bag with a serial prefix of M3U- is fake. A genuine bag with this number would have been made in 2003.

Any bag with a style number of -6047 that isn't a fabric Signature Satchel

The counterfeiters also use many legitimate-looking serial numbers but on the wrong style bags or accessories, like:
-5659 which should only be on a Scribble Tote,
-6094 which should only be on a small Signature Demi, and
-1417 which should only be on an East-West Leather duffle. These three numbers are special favorites with counterfeiters and have appeared on thousands of fakes.

Accessories with style #-5077 are fake, that number belongs to an Optic Bee Tote.

Bags beginning with K3H-, J8H-, and M4B- prefixes are possible counterfeits especially if the font of the digits of the serial number seems slightly different. Please have them looked at by an expert - NOT a Coach store employee, many of whom may be Coach lovers but who have NO training in recognising fakes, especially older ones.


Fake numbers L4C-9941 and LAC-9941 and possibly other combinations ending in 9941 have shown up on a variety of classic-looking leather bags, most with badly wrinkled "stretch-marked" leather and a "Coach" imprint somewhere on the front of the bag, usually off-center. They'll sometimes have cell phone holders sewn on the side of the bag. Coach NEVER sewed cell phone holders on the outside of its classic leather bags.

GAC- and GAG- prefixes have also turned up lately. ANY bag with just three LETTERS to the left of the dash is fake. Be careful not to mistake a Zero in the center position for the letter O though, all bags made in 2000 will have a zero in the center.

P7B-4907 - we've seen several Coaches with this serial number. Not only are the bags NOT Sonoma Small Bucket Zips, but the first digit "P" is completely wrong and would never be used on ANY Coach. Any bag with this serial number is counterfeit.

Fakes are also showing up with the # J4N-4082 which belongs ONLY to a Soho Bag from 1994.

Any bag with a serial # ending in -9956 needs to be looked at by someone very familiar with Coach, every one we've seen so far has been either an obvious or possible fake.

Any 'classic' leather bags with the # 0444-31(X) and heavy vertical lines both above and below the numbers is fake. 0212-578 and 1212-578 with and without the same fake "Overstamping" lines have also recently shown up

More fake 'classic' leather Coaches are showing up with bad creeds and the bogus "overstamping lines" above and below the serial numbers. The latest one is a fake light blue tote (always be careful with older bags in unusual colors, Coach's classic leather colors were pretty conservative so anything besides the usual black, brown, navy, mahogany, British Tan, dark green etc should be examined closely).

Any bag (especially any in the Hippie Flap style) with a serial number of H6S-9135 should be referred to the posters at Ebay or tPF for authentication. The style number belongs only to a Leather Hippie Flap bag but the ones we've seen with this number are either the wrong fabric or have invalid code digits and badly-stamped creeds.

Also look VERY carefully at classic bags beginning with " H6M- " and with "Made in the United States" at the bottom of the creed, quite a few fakes seem to use this prefix.

And a lot of newer style Coaches are showing up with only a 5-digit number after the "No", either on the same line as the last words of the creed or by itself at the bottom of the patch - number 00138 is the most common. All these are fake. Coach serial numbers will never have only five digits.

Serial numbers beginning with the letters N thru Z are not valid Coach numbers and are almost always fake, please have these bags looked at.

Coaches with serial numbers starting with D8J- especially older bags need to be looked at carefully since several fakes have been spotted with this combination.


Any bag with a tag or patch that says "Sports Coach or SportsCoach" is NOT a genuine Coach

Please remember, just because a Coach item seems to have the right style number, or looks just like the picture from Coach's website, that doesn't mean it's genuine. And just because you haven't seen a certain style before (or you don't like the way it looks) doesn't mean it's fake.

I believe I found a G7D-8188 - Looks like a copy of the mini Willis bag. I got fooled. The seams on the bottom corners should have been a warning.

 

[BeenBurned]

I believe I found a G7D-8188 - Looks like a copy of the mini Willis bag. I got fooled. The seams on the bottom corners should have been a warning.
View attachment 4429991 View attachment 4429992 View attachment 4429993 View attachment 4429995 View attachment 4429997 View attachment 4429999

The bag you found is fake.

If possible, take it back and demand a refund.

In the future, please post here. Read post 1, page 1 for the posting format and information we need:
Authenticate This COACH - **see first post for format**

 

[Finley28]

The bag you found is fake.

If possible, take it back and demand a refund.

In the future, please post here. Read post 1, page 1 for the posting format and information we need:
Authenticate This COACH - **see first post for format**

Yup, I know. Thank you. I cannot take back but then I didn't spend too much on it. I should have checked this forum before I purchased. I just wanted to show another example of a fake Coach bag. Thank you

 

[fuzzymummy]

Hi, is there anyone out there who could provide a picture of an old style Branson purse? I don't know the style number Thanks.

 

[LadyEdwards]

Hey Fuzzymummy,
I believe Hyacinth authenticated a Branson for me recently and provided the attached picture.
Hope this helps...