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

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#47,869
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!
 
  • Like
Reactions: jenAC, joeesan, starlight1247 and 106 others
#67,411
GatorGirl99 said:
Hello,
I am sorry if I am asking the wrong person or in the wrong place, this is my first time asking to authenticate a bag.

I acquired this Coach Regina bag while I was an employee of Coach and feel 100% certain it is a genuine Coach, but my bag is white View attachment 5251731View attachment 5251732View attachment 5251733View attachment 5251734View attachment 5251735View attachment 5251736View attachment 5251737View attachment 5251738View attachment 5251739and has a brushed nickel turn lock and nickel hardware, which I never seen on another Regina of any color. Having worked there as an assistant manager for several years, I suspect it is a bag that was used for photography of the brand/style when it was introduced or other types of media along those lines or as a display model only. That was not uncommon back then (mid to late 90’s), however when that WAS the case, an additional letter reflecting how it was used was usually added at the beginning of the serial number OR before the “No” and serial number were even listed. This bag has none of that, but I also have to say that for Coach at that time, I wouldn’t consider THAT unusual either. There was A LOT going on with the brand and product at that time.

It is a complete mystery to me and has been for years. I am interested in selling it, but obviously need to know the “story” behind it if you may be able to help. I hope so, it has driven me nuts for over 20 years now!

Thank you so much.
Click to expand...
whateve said:
It appears authentic. The color appears to be bone. Usually that color was done with brass hardware but nickel hardware was being used with certain leather colors. It's possible it was a sample to try that leather/hardware combination. Based on the creed, it was made in 1999, and the style had already been around for several years.

In my experience I haven't found extra letters added to the creed during the 90s. Later, they sometimes used a P in creeds for pilot bags. I've personally owned a bag that was made for a photo campaign before the style was introduced and it didn't have an extra letter in the creed, indicating such.

I think it would sell well with the nickel hardware. I wouldn't mention it might have been a sample in your listing. I might say it was a rare color combination.
Click to expand...


An early 1999 Regina would have been a second- or even third-generation re-issue and possibly only available in certain stores or even as part of their resort collection (Coach actually did make certain colors and combinations for some of their stand-alone stores in resort towns and maybe even for shops in cruise ships), so there really wouldn't have been any "rules" about what color hardware it should have. Coach was already well into the time period when nickle hardware was available on at least one of the colors of almost all the styles in the Classics family.

Since hardware colors can be changed by the owner, and I believe several of our collectors here have done exactly that with some of their bags, the hardware color would never be used as primary proof that a Coach is fake or questionable. We prefer to depend on the permanent parts of the bag like creed and serial number stamps for more solid proof of non-authenticity. Changeable parts like hardware, straps, hangtags, etc are just that - changeable.


I've never seen extra letters or codes in 1990s serial numbers that I can remember. But it's good to know that it MIGHT have happened.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LadaZuri and AuntieA
#67,412
I am in total awe of the brain trust in this forum. I've learned so much through this thread and the catalog thread. So thank you generally!

I did a search first by seller and by link but did not see anything come up -- apologies if I missed it. But I would love to confirm that these two bags posted on Mercari by c.kim are authentic:

Vintage Court

Vintage Bella Court

Thanks in advance!
 
#67,413
Purse Chakra said:
I am in total awe of the brain trust in this forum. I've learned so much through this thread and the catalog thread. So thank you generally!

I did a search first by seller and by link but did not see anything come up -- apologies if I missed it. But I would love to confirm that these two bags posted on Mercari by c.kim are authentic:

Vintage Court

Vintage Bella Court

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Both look fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jacynthe and LadaZuri
#67,415
DL Harper said:
Can I get an authentication on this bag? Thank you!
Item: *AS IS* Coach 1970s Black Leather Shoulder Bag
Listing number: 144212702071
Seller: one_peculiar_treasure
Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/144212702071
Comments: If authentic, can you provide the name, date, etc?
Click to expand...
Basic bag made in the late 70s or early 80s. What are you going to do with it since the zipper is broken? I once had priced out getting one replaced with another brass zipper and it was super expensive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jacynthe, katev and LadaZuri
#67,416
soycd said:
How fascinating! Your bag definitely looks like a progenitor or relative of the 9149.

I scoured the web but could not find a single other Coach bag that looked like it. I also wondered if it might have been from the men’s line.

Those front pockets were a big reason I bid on it. That and the back slip pocket.
Click to expand...

A style number starting with 9 from that period would usually indicate a women's handbag, but as we know, Coach never hesitated to make their own "rules" and then break them almost immediately. Remember our mantra, "The most consistent thing about Coach is their inconsistency". It may even have been marketed as a unisex style.

And the big front pockets and back slip pocket were exactly the reasons I bought it. :biggrin:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Huskycat, Jacynthe, LadaZuri and 4 others
#67,418
whateve said:
Very similar! When I first saw it, the first thing I thought of is the Bonnie Cashin I'm carrying today. It seems like the inspiration for this bag.

What a shame they didn't make more of them. It seems like a great style. I find those two front pockets so useful.
Click to expand...


Yep, I've noticed that one before. Never could find one that fit my budget and didn't require a serious rehab. :crybaby:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jacynthe, LadaZuri and whateve
#67,420
whateve said:
Basic bag made in the late 70s or early 80s. What are you going to do with it since the zipper is broken? I once had priced out getting one replaced with another brass zipper and it was super expensive.
Click to expand...
Thank you for authenticating. I'm hopeful the messaging with the seller more acurately described the zipper condition.....and that my accepted offer will help to cover a replacement if necessary.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jacynthe, katev and whateve
#67,422
whateve said:
You've seen my bag before? I've only seen one other sold on Goodwill auction for over $650. Mine was a lucky find on ebay. I like the turnlocks. I can just open one depending on which front pocket I need access to.
Click to expand...

Yep, I was wondering if that patch of leather at the top between the two pockets would restrict access to them. Good to know that it doesn't.


I love a bag with big front turnlock pockets too, even if they make it harder to store. Usually I'll stick a few LeSportsacs or Kiplings between the Coaches so the turnlocks don't dent anything else. My Willises are in a plastic double drawer rolling file cabinet inside thick handmade flannel dustbags inside heavy duty file folders with extra folders between them. Sounds strange but it works.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Insightful
Reactions: Jacynthe, soupsoup2018, LadaZuri and 2 others
#67,424
  • Like
Reactions: Jacynthe, katev and LadaZuri
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top