answers to AUTHENTICITY questions!!!

[Hyacinth]

I didn't mention it in my post but the fake 7469 had a zip top closure but AFAIK, the authentic version didn't zip across the top.

ETA: I still had my window open with the yellow set. Another problem which wouldn't easily have been caught is the puffy creed and the prefix. The fake has a 2005 date but the bag should have had an '06 creed.

And the stitching and sealant issues? Yecch!

You're correct, the genuine 7469 didn't have a top zipper, just a fold-over tab with a large brass clip. And a MUCH neater creed patch too.

 

[Hyacinth]

Hyacinth's tPF Fakes List - combined UPDATES from March 2014

these are additions to the posts here:
posts 1077-1080

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...enticity-questions-94198-72.html#post26447774

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...enticity-questions-94198-72.html#post26447783

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...enticity-questions-94198-72.html#post26447792

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...enticity-questions-94198-72.html#post26447822

Check the dates here at the Answers thread or the posted link for more information

J8H-9929
IS SHOWING UP IN NUMEROUS FAKES
three fakes, all different styles, were found by an Ebay poster with J8H-9929 serial numbers. The -9929 style number also turned up in a totally fake bag with a prefix H4B which is already on the List as being one that should be checked when it's used in a handbag instead of an item from the Business or Travel lines. Although the List says that H4B- prefixes with style numbers starting with 99** or 98** are usually genuine, there are exceptions (3-27-14)


M3V-4916
A few bags have turned up with the above number, which is ALWAYS fake and never would have been used in a genuine Coach. It's been found in several different styles but at least two of the fakes were trying to be Berkeley Drawstrings, which are a version of the Lula's Legacy Drawstring but made of a mix of suede (the reverse side of Coach's glove-tanned leather) and a pebbled leather in the same color. But the style number, creed description, plant and year codes are ALL wrong. (4-11-2014)


L4K- and ALL OTHER *4K- serial numbers - often or always fake
J4K- serial prefixes are already on the Fake Numbers List but we need to add all other *4K- serials as probable or usually fakes. That K plant code seems to be invalid for 1994. There may be a few valid L4K- numbers but they all should be authenticated. (4-12-14)

Also, any serial prefixes from the mid to late 1990s where the "o" in the "No" in front of the serial number is more than half the height of the "N" needs to be carefully authenticated, like the one below.


D2J-6068
is always fake, no exceptions. Coach never seems to have used style number 6068 in a purse.


L04M-1894
showing up on a number of fakes in a variety of different styles. Style 1894 should be a hamptons tote. (6-14-2014)


C5C-2358

This always-fake number has been found on several "Court Bags" and is fake no matter what style it's in since -2358 is NOT a valid handbag style number, and definitely is NOT the right code for a Court Bag. The serial numbers will probably have an unusually thick font, and the creed font also will not be the one used during 1995 by the C plant (7-19-14)


-1814M.
That style is showing on various patterns of soho flap bags, some with optic signature patterns and some with regular signature patterns. Prefixes (I've been seeing) have 2002 and 2003 year codes. The REAL style 1814 belongs ONLY to a Kiwi Green Scribble Flower Purse Charm from around Spring 2006 (8-11-14)



B0973-12988
found in more fakes than genuine bags. The real style 12988 is an Op Art Crossbody Bag shown here:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...enticity-questions-94198-81.html#post27327621



4437-576
has been found in many seemingly vintage bags, pictures of a few are here: (10-13-2014)
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...enticity-questions-94198-82.html#post27528280


M3U-
this prefix shows up in at least as many fakes as in genuine Coaches. It should ALWAYS be looked at by one of our experts (2-8-2015)
Pictures of some fakes are here:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...enticity-questions-94198-84.html#post28049691


-7765
-7469
these style numbers are often found in fakes, see this post on Feb 9, 2015 for more details and pics:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...enticity-questions-94198-84.html#post28052785

 

[mrk2014]

I hope this is the right thread to post my question, if not please forgive me.

I only wanted to ask if someone could let me know, in which colors the Binocular bag (style #9853) were offered, if by any chance there were some in gray.

TIA

 

[Hyacinth]

I hope this is the right thread to post my question, if not please forgive me.

I only wanted to ask if someone could let me know, in which colors the Binocular bag (style #9853) were offered, if by any chance there were some in gray.

TIA

It would help to see photos of the bag to narrow the year down. If you're asking about one specific bag, you should probably be asking at the Authenticate This Coach thread.

There's NO searchable list of Coach colors, and none of us have a complete list of that kind of information or a complete set of catalogs with all the colors listed..Sometimes older styles were re-released but never made it into the catalogs. I don't remember ever seeing one in gray but that doesn't mean they didn't exist. All I can tell you is that it was made from 1990 to 1992, and re-released on a limited basis in 1997, so whatever colors were available on the classic styles in those years might have been available on the Binocular Bag. I don't think Gray was ever an early 1990s color, and if it WAS available in 1997 it's not in any of my catalogs.

 

[mrk2014]

It would help to see photos of the bag to narrow the year down. If you're asking about one specific bag, you should probably be asking at the Authenticate This Coach thread.

There's NO searchable list of Coach colors, and none of us have a complete list of that kind of information or a complete set of catalogs with all the colors listed..Sometimes older styles were re-released but never made it into the catalogs. I don't remember ever seeing one in gray but that doesn't mean they didn't exist. All I can tell you is that it was made from 1990 to 1992, and re-released on a limited basis in 1997, so whatever colors were available on the classic styles in those years might have been available on the Binocular Bag. I don't think Gray was ever an early 1990s color, and if it WAS available in 1997 it's not in any of my catalogs.

Thanks for your reply. The bag I am referring to was already authenticated on the proper thread, posts 1634 and 1635
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-889527-109.html#post28056139

The poster was wondering if indeed was gray or black. I do not have that style on my collection and if available in gray, I would assumed it would be more rare than black. I was going to hold off till I find one. If there were never made in gray then no need to wait. TIA

 

[Hyacinth]

Thanks for your reply. The bag I am referring to was already authenticated on the proper thread, posts 1634 and 1635
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-889527-109.html#post28056139

The poster was wondering if indeed was gray or black. I do not have that style on my collection and if available in gray, I would assumed it would be more rare than black. I was going to hold off till I find one. If there were never made in gray then no need to wait. TIA

As I said in my answer on Feb 9, it's just faded black. That style wasn't made until 1990 and Gray hadn't been used since late 1988

 

[mrk2014]

As I said in my answer on Feb 9, it's just faded black. That style wasn't made until 1990 and Gray hadn't been used since late 1988

My apologies Hyacinth, I guess I didn't read carefully enough. Sorry for the redundant question and making you waste your time.

I will pay closer attention in the future. Thank you.

 

[Rosebugluv]

Does anyone know when fakes started being produced? If I buy a vintage 1970's or 1980s bag, is it safe to say it is authentic?

 

[BeenBurned]

Does anyone know when fakes started being produced? If I buy a vintage 1970's or 1980s bag, is it safe to say it is authentic?

Counterfeit items have always been around. Additionally, there are newer fake versions of vintage bags so unless you know what to look for in order to determine authenticity, you should have any item authenticated before purchasing.

And with regard to fakes of some of the vintage bags, some of the fakes are very close.

Be extremely careful.

If and when you do find something you're interested in, post your question here. See post #1 for the requested information:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-889527.html

 

[Rosebugluv]

Counterfeit items have always been around. Additionally, there are newer fake versions of vintage bags so unless you know what to look for in order to determine authenticity, you should have any item authenticated before purchasing.

And with regard to fakes of some of the vintage bags, some of the fakes are very close.

Be extremely careful.

If and when you do find something you're interested in, post your question here. See post #1 for the requested information:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-889527.html

Wow, that is alarming. Thanks for the info! Will check it out.

 

[WishingonaCoach]

Thanks for your reply. The bag I am referring to was already authenticated on the proper thread, posts 1634 and 1635
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-889527-109.html#post28056139

The poster was wondering if indeed was gray or black. I do not have that style on my collection and if available in gray, I would assumed it would be more rare than black. I was going to hold off till I find one. If there were never made in gray then no need to wait. TIA

I see you are talking about my bag, I do not know if my answer will help you. I gave it a bath and conditioner and all that. The bag has improved overall, but the color has not changed, it was faded. I can tell you though it was not black originally. Not sure if they made this style in a bluish color, but this one seems to be.
I took a picture of the flap underneath, where the color is the original one, the other picture is next to another vintage bag in black. No flash used, taken by a window on day light.

 

[Hyacinth]

I see you are talking about my bag, I do not know if my answer will help you. I gave it a bath and conditioner and all that. The bag has improved overall, but the color has not changed, it was faded. I can tell you though it was not black originally. Not sure if they made this style in a bluish color, but this one seems to be.
I took a picture of the flap underneath, where the color is the original one, the other picture is next to another vintage bag in black. No flash used, taken by a window on day light.

It looks like navy blue in the photos.

The style mrk2014 was specifically asking about and if it came in gray was a Binocular Bag but that doesn't look like what's in the photos you just posted, which seems to be a bag with a rounded top and top zipper. If your pics are of a different style and year it could possibly be gray but I don't remember a Binocular Bag having any zipper except the one on the inside pocket.

And since colors often don't photograph or show up on monitors exactly like the human eye sees them the person who actually owns the bag is the best judge of color. I don't even try to determine colors from photographs any more.

 

[WishingonaCoach]

It looks like navy blue in the photos.

The style mrk2014 was specifically asking about and if it came in gray was a Binocular Bag but that doesn't look like what's in the photos you just posted, which seems to be a bag with a rounded top and top zipper. If your pics are of a different style and year it could possibly be gray but I don't remember a Binocular Bag having any zipper except the one on the inside pocket.

And since colors often don't photograph or show up on monitors exactly like the human eye sees them the person who actually owns the bag is the best judge of color. I don't even try to determine colors from photographs any more.

The pictures I posted are from underneath of the flap that folds over, of the Binocular bag she was referring to, the angle of the picture shows the inside zipper below. I know how hard is to show in photographs the exact color, hard to tell for sure. I posted the pictures in case that this bag was done in blue (wondering myself).

 

[mrk2014]

The pictures I posted are from underneath of the flap that folds over, of the Binocular bag she was referring to, the angle of the picture shows the inside zipper below. I know how hard is to show in photographs the exact color, hard to tell for sure. I posted the pictures in case that this bag was done in blue (wondering myself).

It looks like your bag is still a mystery. Thanks for trying to help.

 

[BeenBurned]

Has anyone seen D as a Chinese plant code in 2004?

I know a bag is authentic but I'd only seen D as US. (Once I figure out how to get pictures from my phone to my computer (duh!) I'll post them.