Authenticate This COACH - **see first post for format**

[Vlad]

IMPORTANT READ-ME

Please post authenticity questions related to COACH in this thread. No PMs please.
For further information, please refer to the first post on page 1 of this thread.

Please follow the following requests:

• Before you submit a request for authentication, please search this thread to make sure that the item has not previously been authenticated by searching the seller ID and/or item number. This is not a thread to ask general questions about COACH, please refer to our main Coach forum for such information.
• Note that authenticators have the right to refuse any requests. This is a free service, but it is imperative that you help our authenticators by using the following format:
• FOR ITEMS LISTED ONLINE:
  Item:
  Listing number:
  Seller and site where listed
  Link:
  Comments:
  
  
• FOR ITEMS NOT LISTED ONLINE:
  Item:
  Where purchased or how obtained
  Comments:

BASIC PICTURES REQUIRED (but more may be requested): If necessary pictures are in the listing, it's not necessary to upload and duplicate them.

• Front of item
• Back of item
• Full clear and legible creed text and serial number
• Made in tags (when available)
• Measurements
• For bags with turnlock closures, show pictures of back of female side of turnlock
• For bags with magnetic snaps, show pictures of the male part of the snap so that the numbers and letters on it can be read
• If applicable, search interior of bag and/or pockets for small white tag with production information and include a picture of that.

Thank you and be safe!

 

[BeenBurned]

Item: COACH Est.1941 Distressed Leather Two Pocket Shoulder Bag/Handbag/Purse/Bag
Listing number: 254155943629
Seller: familygcloset8
Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-Est-...943629?hash=item3b2cdfeecd:g:9QUAAOSwRKtcgpZw

Comments: I just did it again! I made an impulse bid at the last seconds of an ebay auction and I won - and I wasn't even drinking wine at the time (it's a little early in the day for that!)

The bag was poorly listed and I got it for $51.01. There are several pictures but no clear pic of the creed. I think that it is a Legacy Garcia Medium Shoulder Flap bag 12654 (MSRP = $498 in 2008). I've cropped and enlarged an interior photo of the bag to see the creed and the pic below is my best result, but it's not clear.

I found details for the 12654 bag on the Wayback Machine from September 2008 in Amethyst, see below. I realize that this isn't Amethyst (I wish!) but the auction describes it as "burgady"! I know that this bag came in several colors - does anyone know if it came in a dark red? It looks like a brown red in the pictures, maybe it's a (mahogany) brown?

I will not ask you to authenticate without a clear pic of the creed, but I haven't paid for the item yet so if you see any red flags I'd appreciate hearing your opinions. Thank you in advance!

View attachment 4373248

View attachment 4373250

It's fine!

ETA: It's interesting that the wayback description say that it has legacy stripe lining because that's incorrect. It has solid color satin lining.
ETA 2: I think the color is bronze.

This listing describes the bag as bronze and it appears to be the same color as the one you bought.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-1265...086603?hash=item4691b2374b:g:7x4AAOSwPCVX7SZE

 

[vintagemar]

Authentic from 2007.

Thank you very much!

 

[missbaltimore]

Hi everyone— I have 2 Stewardess bags that I’m about to clean up and wanted to double check that they are authentic. They are both from the Costa Rica plant a little over a year apart but the earlier one has a brass zipper on the inside pocket and the one from the following year the zipper is nylon (I guess?). I guess they changed that detail in that time period? Both have same measurements 10” tall x 11” wide x 4 1/2” deep. I already took the brass receiver piece off of the front flap on the first one when I remembered to take photos but they both have appropriate flat brass backs on the front flap.

 

[whateve]

Hi everyone— I have 2 Stewardess bags that I’m about to clean up and wanted to double check that they are authentic. They are both from the Costa Rica plant a little over a year apart but the earlier one has a brass zipper on the inside pocket and the one from the following year the zipper is nylon (I guess?). I guess they changed that detail in that time period? Both have same measurements 10” tall x 11” wide x 4 1/2” deep. I already took the brass receiver piece off of the front flap on the first one when I remembered to take photos but they both have appropriate flat brass backs on the front flap.

Both are fine. Factories switched to nylon zippers at different times depending on supplies. They used up the stock of metal zippers first.

 

[missbaltimore]

Both are fine. Factories switched to nylon zippers at different times depending on supplies. They used up the stock of metal zippers first.

Thanks!

 

[katev]

This listing describes the bag as bronze and it appears to be the same color as the one you bought.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-1265...086603?hash=item4691b2374b:g:7x4AAOSwPCVX7SZE

Could be! But this Bronze bag has a purple lining and my mystery bag has a tan lining. We will have to see what it looks like when it arrives!

 

[Hyacinth]

Happy Friday! Would you please help me authenticate this thrift store find? It would look great with a pair of spectator pumps! Thank you!

Approx measurements:
13.5"L seam to seam
10.75"H
3"WView attachment 4373251 View attachment 4373252 View attachment 4373254 View attachment 4373257 View attachment 4373261 View attachment 4373262 View attachment 4373264 View attachment 4373266 View attachment 4373268

It looks fine to me but I don't know the style name.

 

[Narnanz]

Can any of you wonderful ladies please have a look at this little wristlet found at the Salvation army this morning...bit worn...can barely see the coach name. 15 ×10 cm. Thank you muchly.

 

[Hyacinth]

Could be! But this Bronze bag has a purple lining and my mystery bag has a tan lining. We will have to see what it looks like when it arrives!

It DID come in Brown which probably would have had a tan lining. I have the same bag in Amethyst and it also has a tan lining, so it could be either but brown seems more likely. There are quite a few posts that mention that style number, but hardly any pictures. A few other Garcia Leather bags have the stripe lining but this wasn't one of them, and the Amethyst IRL isn't quite as purple as the Wayback shows, it has some reddish-brown tones. Mine has a full-price serial number so whether it was from the boutique or the outlet probably wouldn't have made any difference in the lining.

ETA - It's a great bag, BTW, and it actually has POCKETS on the outside !!!

 

[katev]

This listing describes the bag as bronze and it appears to be the same color as the one you bought.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-1265...086603?hash=item4691b2374b:g:7x4AAOSwPCVX7SZE

It DID come in Brown which probably would have had a tan lining. I have the same bag in Amethyst and it also has a tan lining, so it could be either but brown seems more likely. There are quite a few posts that mention that style number, but hardly any pictures. A few other Garcia Leather bags have the stripe lining but this wasn't one of them, and the Amethyst IRL isn't nearly as purple as the Wayback shows, it definitely has some reddish-brown tones. Mine has a full-price style number so whether it was from the boutique or the outlet probably wouldn't have made any difference..

Wow, the mystery deepens! I guessing that it is not "burgady" and I am eager to see what the color really is when it arrives.

You've got this bag in amethyst? You are lucky! I've always been a sucker for those circa 2008 legacy bags with their gorgeous leather and special detailing. Even without a clear picture of the creed it seemed unlikely that it could be a fake because there's so many nice details.

It looks to be in pretty good shape from the pics so I will be excited to see it IRL and I will share pictures when I receive it. Thanks again!

 

[BeenBurned]

Could be! But this Bronze bag has a purple lining and my mystery bag has a tan lining. We will have to see what it looks like when it arrives!

It DID come in Brown which probably would have had a tan lining. I have the same bag in Amethyst and it also has a tan lining, so it could be either but brown seems more likely. There are quite a few posts that mention that style number, but hardly any pictures. A few other Garcia Leather bags have the stripe lining but this wasn't one of them, and the Amethyst IRL isn't nearly as purple as the Wayback shows, it definitely has some reddish-brown tones. Mine has a full-price serial number so whether it was from the boutique or the outlet probably wouldn't have made any difference in the lining.

Sorry. How did I miss the purple vs. tan lining? I'll chock it up to not enough coffee.

It's definitely not bronze because all the bronze ones have purple lining!

And here's a brown one with purple lining.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NWT-COACH-...920223&hash=item4d7df08cbc:g:KxUAAOSwukZcT13S

and another. (The other bag has striped lining but the Garcia is purple.):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-GRAC...330165?hash=item214c7f45f5:g:6L4AAOSwkJNblnc3

Here's an old ebay listing for a "purple" (aubergine) bag and @katev, you might have gotten really lucky!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Lega...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

And as much as I dislike Poshmark, I found another aubergine one with tan lining!
https://poshmark.com/listing/Coach-12654-Purple-Leather-Handbag-5609988ed3a2a7cfec016080

Although this is TMI, it looks like Coach also made a version for the discounters and called the style number 17203 (with a Z in front of the style number). It looks identical to the full priced bag but has light purple lining.
http://www.zeppy.io/product/us/2/25...-leather-purple-berry-hobo-bag-purse-buckle-z

 

[katev]

It DID come in Brown which probably would have had a tan lining. I have the same bag in Amethyst and it also has a tan lining, so it could be either but brown seems more likely. There are quite a few posts that mention that style number, but hardly any pictures. A few other Garcia Leather bags have the stripe lining but this wasn't one of them, and the Amethyst IRL isn't quite as purple as the Wayback shows, it has some reddish-brown tones. Mine has a full-price serial number so whether it was from the boutique or the outlet probably wouldn't have made any difference in the lining.

ETA - It's a great bag, BTW, and it actually has POCKETS on the outside !!!

Sorry. How did I miss the purple vs. tan lining? I'll chock it up to not enough coffee.

It's definitely not bronze because all the bronze ones have purple lining!

And here's a brown one with purple lining.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NWT-COACH-...920223&hash=item4d7df08cbc:g:KxUAAOSwukZcT13S

and another. (The other bag has striped lining but the Garcia is purple.):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-GRAC...330165?hash=item214c7f45f5:g:6L4AAOSwkJNblnc3

Here's an old ebay listing for a "purple" (aubergine) bag and @katev, you might have gotten really lucky!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Legacy-Garcia-Leather-Shoulder-Bag-and-Wallet-Dark-purple-E0893-12654-/162964213592?nma=true&si=R1KZE2gbI7%2FqXEL4yI4b6utHkH8%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

And as much as I dislike Poshmark, I found another aubergine one with tan lining!
https://poshmark.com/listing/Coach-12654-Purple-Leather-Handbag-5609988ed3a2a7cfec016080

Although this is TMI, it looks like Coach also made a version for the discounters and called the style number 17203 (with a Z in front of the style number). It looks identical to the full priced bag but has light purple lining.
http://www.zeppy.io/product/us/2/25...-leather-purple-berry-hobo-bag-purse-buckle-z

Oh boy, I am getting excited, that aubergine color is looking like a possibility! That would be really nice. There's no such thing as "too much information" about one of my bags - I am very grateful for your expertise and efforts.

 

[Hyacinth]

Wow, the mystery deepens! I guessing that it is not "burgady" and I am eager to see what the color really is when it arrives.

You've got this bag in amethyst? You are lucky! I've always been a sucker for those circa 2008 legacy bags with their gorgeous leather and special detailing. Even without a clear picture of the creed it seemed unlikely that it could be a fake because there's so many nice details.

It looks to be in pretty good shape from the pics so I will be excited to see it IRL and I will share pictures when I receive it. Thanks again!

Oh, it's definitely genuine! The leather does look more "distressed" than mine but you'll know more when you see it. The only thing I've ever done to mine is some light conditioning, it was in very good shape when I bought it off Ebay. I also got incredibly lucky and happened to have another bag made by Sorial with almost exactly the same color leather and hardware and with a removeable cross-body strap that's perfect with it, so everything worked out better than I ever expected. Think I'll put it back into the rotation next week now that Winter Road Salt Season is almost over - thanks for reminding me!

AND IT HAS POCKETSESSS, PRECIOUSSS!

 

[picklejuice]

We've seen a lot of small variations in serial stamps from the late 1990s C plant. It was one of the last remaining US plants and was probably getting the leftover bits and pieces, including stamps, from plants that had recently closed, and it's one of the few instances when a single plant was using more than one serial stamp at the same time, since they had to cover the increased production volume caused by the ongoing closure of several other plants. Small variations from that plant and that time period should never be used as the sole indication that the bag might be fake.

I don't see any problem with either bag. More opinions are welcome.

Thank you so much for your help and great information!

 

[picklejuice]

I agree, both are fine.

Thank you!!