answers to AUTHENTICITY questions!!!

[BeenBurned]

I wasn't sure where to post it but this seemed the most appropriate place.

For the longest time, we've said that Coach didn't introduce signature bags until 2000 and usually, bags with earlier serial number prefixes are easily identified as fakes.

But I found a listing for a bag that led me to think that Coach may have made signature bags as early as 1998. Before posting about it, I wanted to verify authenticity (or not) and I've since learned that this bag is a scary good fake; one of the best I've ever seen!!

Hyacinth found on the wayback machine that the style was shown as "new" in the Sept. 4, 2003 Wayback.

But when I saw this bag, I would have sworn it was genuine.

I'll show the listing and for reference once the listing isn't viewable, the pictures too.

Seller dejavushopon :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-SIGNA...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

And in fact, the counterfeiters even got the spacing right for the serial number. This comp shows dejavushopon's fake creed (left) vs. a creed from an authentic current listing.

 

[Fashionstar101]

Why did you post the same thing in at least three different places on the forum?

I'm new and wanted to make sure people saw the items! I did not know if people check one thread out more than another! Sorry

 

[Fashionstar101]

I wasn't sure where to post it but this seemed the most appropriate place.

For the longest time, we've said that Coach didn't introduce signature bags until 2000 and usually, bags with earlier serial number prefixes are easily identified as fakes.

But I found a listing for a bag that led me to think that Coach may have made signature bags as early as 1998. Before posting about it, I wanted to verify authenticity (or not) and I've since learned that this bag is a scary good fake; one of the best I've ever seen!!

Hyacinth found on the wayback machine that the style was shown as "new" in the Sept. 4, 2003 Wayback.

But when I saw this bag, I would have sworn it was genuine.

I'll show the listing and for reference once the listing isn't viewable, the pictures too.

Seller dejavushopon :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-SIGNA...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

And in fact, the counterfeiters even got the spacing right for the serial number. This comp shows dejavushopon's fake creed (left) vs. a creed from an authentic current listing.

Oh man that looks completely authentic! I'm scared to buy coach purses from other people now I know people are getting really good on making fakes! What told you this bag was fake? I'm curious so I don't make a mistake! thanks

 

[whateve]

Oh man that looks completely authentic! I'm scared to buy coach purses from other people now I know people are getting really good on making fakes! What told you this bag was fake? I'm curious so I don't make a mistake! thanks

There is only one thing that proves this bag is fake: the production year shown in the creed. It shows the bag was made in 1998, while the Coach website from 2003 shows that it wasn't introduced until 2003. Therefore, it couldn't have been made in 1998 by Coach. Generally if you found a fake this good, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference unless you knew when Coach actually produced the specific style and the counterfeiters made a mistake in the creed.

Any bag you aren't sure about you can post in the Authenticate thread.

 

[Fashionstar101]

There is only one thing that proves this bag is fake: the production year shown in the creed. It shows the bag was made in 1998, while the Coach website from 2003 shows that it wasn't introduced until 2003. Therefore, it couldn't have been made in 1998 by Coach. Generally if you found a fake this good, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference unless you knew when Coach actually produced the specific style and the counterfeiters made a mistake in the creed.

Any bag you aren't sure about you can post in the Authenticate thread.

Which one is that? Is mine in there? How do you find the coach website from 2003? Among other years besides the current one

 

[whateve]

Which one is that? Is mine in there? How do you find the coach website from 2003? Among other years besides the current one

The Authenticate thread is one of those you posted your photos in and where you got the response that your bags are genuine. There is an Internet Archive where you can look at websites from past dates but it isn't complete. This is the website: http://archive.org/web/

 

[GoStanford]

I'd appreciate your thoughts on an older Patricia's Legacy bag. I had it authenticated on the Authenticate thread. The serial number is H0P-9951 to give you an idea of the age. I noticed when I received it today that the underside of the strap also is lined by smooth leather, not a sueded side like I have seen in classic bags up until now. Have you ever seen that before? Thanks! (I cross-posted this in the Rescue/Rehab Clubhouse since those readers know a lot about the older bags as well.)

 

[whateve]

I'd appreciate your thoughts on an older Patricia's Legacy bag. I had it authenticated on the Authenticate thread. The serial number is H0P-9951 to give you an idea of the age. I noticed when I received it today that the underside of the strap also is lined by smooth leather, not a sueded side like I have seen in classic bags up until now. Have you ever seen that before? Thanks! (I cross-posted this in the Rescue/Rehab Clubhouse since those readers know a lot about the older bags as well.)

My 1995 Patricia's Legacy has suede on the underneath part of the strap. In 2000, the Coach website showed the strap as being suede on the underside. On Coach.com currently the classic Patricia's Legacy shows suede on the underside of the strap.

Is this the listing? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Patri...1tXxuUNo9Y1d8TWXOaOUk%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
I can't enlarge the photos in the listing to see them clear enough to see what the reverse side looks like. Can you post a picture?

 

[Two.time.bags]

My small NYC courier pouch that Whateve kindly authenticated a while ago has arrived. I was wondering if Hyacinth or anyone else has a catalogue pic as I'd just like to confirm that the strap is what it should be. It is quite short only 89cm or 35" so the bag can only be worn on the shoulder not cross body. I guess that a longer strap would be out of sync with the size of this bag but am just curious. The bag is 22 x 22 cm. Also, is the colour putty or light tan?

 

[Hyacinth]

My small NYC courier pouch that Whateve kindly authenticated a while ago has arrived. I was wondering if Hyacinth or anyone else has a catalogue pic as I'd just like to confirm that the strap is what it should be. It is quite short only 89cm or 35" so the bag can only be worn on the shoulder not cross body. I guess that a longer strap would be out of sync with the size of this bag but am just curious. The bag is 22 x 22 cm. Also, is the colour putty or light tan?

The only catalog pictures I have are of the "standard" Courier. Coach lists it as 10x9 inches - 24.5cm x 22.7cm - and don't even list the standard strap length although they offer a replacement in a 36-inch, 91cm length, which may be what your bag has. Earlier catalogs listed it as 10x10 inches. There's no way to judge the strap length but the only catalog I have that shows the entire strap makes it look as if the 36-inch length might be right. Sorry, I don't have a scanner and can't post a copy.

The color is probably Putty but it's hard to tell with the older tan shades, they tended to change color over time and darkened when conditioned.

Maybe this drawing from the 1981 catalog will help, it definitely doesn't look like a crossbody strap:

 

[Two.time.bags]

The only catalog pictures I have are of the "standard" Courier. Coach lists it as 10x9 inches - 24.5cm x 22.7cm - and don't even list the standard strap length although they offer a replacement in a 36-inch, 91cm length, which may be what your bag has. Earlier catalogs listed it as 10x10 inches. There's no way to judge the strap length but the only catalog I have that shows the entire strap makes it look as if the 36-inch length might be right. Sorry, I don't have a scanner and can't post a copy.

The color is probably Putty but it's hard to tell with the older tan shades, they tended to change color over time and darkened when conditioned.

Maybe this drawing from the 1981 catalog will help, it definitely doesn't look like a crossbody strap:

Thanks Hyacinth. It looks like its the right strap if even the larger style has the same length. I think the colour is putty . The colour of the wall shows it to be darker than it actually is. Can't wait to clean her up. She has such soft leather.

 

[GoStanford]

My 1995 Patricia's Legacy has suede on the underneath part of the strap. In 2000, the Coach website showed the strap as being suede on the underside. On Coach.com currently the classic Patricia's Legacy shows suede on the underside of the strap.

Is this the listing? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Patri...1tXxuUNo9Y1d8TWXOaOUk%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
I can't enlarge the photos in the listing to see them clear enough to see what the reverse side looks like. Can you post a picture?

That is the listing. I'll work on a picture later today. Underside looks just like the top side of the strap. The bag has a factory store bullseye mark. That together with the authentication makes me favor that it is genuine. Will update with photos.

 

[GoStanford]

My 1995 Patricia's Legacy has suede on the underneath part of the strap. In 2000, the Coach website showed the strap as being suede on the underside. On Coach.com currently the classic Patricia's Legacy shows suede on the underside of the strap.

Is this the listing? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Patri...1tXxuUNo9Y1d8TWXOaOUk%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
I can't enlarge the photos in the listing to see them clear enough to see what the reverse side looks like. Can you post a picture?

Just getting re familiarized with the new app. Here are photos.

 

[whateve]

Just getting re familiarized with the new app. Here are photos. View attachment 2407038View attachment 2407039

I think I've seen a strap like that on something but I can't remember where. Usually for a strap that is finished on both sides, Coach used one that is like the one on the current duffles, flat on both sides with no fold-over. It could have been replaced from another bag, or it's remotely possible that Coach used a strap like that for a short period of time. I wouldn't doubt the bag's authenticity unless there were something else of concern.

 

[calvina]

The Authenticate thread is one of those you posted your photos in and where you got the response that your bags are genuine. There is an Internet Archive where you can look at websites from past dates but it isn't complete. This is the website: http://archive.org/web/

Is there a source to tell when a bag style (i.e., 9929) went into production? I think it was the early 1990s, but would like to be sure