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!

 

[Hyacinth]

Hi! I posted this authentication request prior to being a member for 5 days. Hoped that after the 5 days passed someone might provide an answer? Thanks

I answered your question on January 3rd, the same day you posted it. It got piggybacked onto another poster's reply, but if you have your forum preferences set to receive a notice when anyone replies to your post or mentions you in a post, you should have received a notice in the form of a number by the envelope graphic right next to your name at the top right corner of each page.

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

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...

forum.purseblog.com

 

[BeenBurned]

I have happily found so much great info on this site over the years. Recently, I purchased a NYC Coach Classic Shoulder Pouch (current style no. 9170) from a thrift store. It seems to meet all the requirements to be authentic except for the unique two-tone strap with the slightly less than stellar sewing/construction on the underside of the 36" strap. I did see a comment regarding unintentional two-tone strap with regard to another 9170 authentication but would appreciate a second opinion. Years ago, I shopped the Coach Outlet Store in Reading, Pa where they had a wonderful second floor for "Factory Seconds" so I am aware that not all of their products are perfect. Measures approximately 10”W x 9”H x 4”D. I'd love to hear back from you, I know it's not a huge issue but it keeps nagging me. Many thanks for your time and expertise!

Hi! I posted this authentication request prior to being a member for 5 days. Hoped that after the 5 days passed someone might provide an answer? Thanks

I'm so sorry! Sometimes posts are missed, especially when it's especially busy and there are lots of requests.

As a newbie, you don't have to wait 5 days to post an authentication request.

The bag is authentic!

ETA: I went back to your original request looking to see if it had been answered and I too, missed Hyacinth's reply!

 

[Hyacinth]

Hi, I bought this coach tabby 26 off eBay but I can’t figure out if it’s authentic from the creed as it’s so hard to read - I’ve added 2 pictures where the main text and code below are in focus as best as I can get and some pictures on the ‘made in tag’
From looking around online I thought the letter was the day of the month it was made and to me it looks like a H so potentially not authentic? Also on the strap snaps it almost looks like it says Doach not coach

here’s the eBay listing , hopefully you can still see it even though it’s sold toohttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coach-Tabby-26-oxblood-Crossbody-shoulder-bag-immaculate-/185258849497?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Any advice is really appreciated View attachment 5308493View attachment 5308494View attachment 5308495View attachment 5308496View attachment 5308497View attachment 5308498View attachment 5308499View attachment 5308500View attachment 5308501View attachment 5308512View attachment 5308513View attachment 5308514

One correction to something you posted. You said
"From looking around online I thought the letter was the day of the month it was made and to me it looks like a H so potentially not authentic?"

Either you misunderstood something you read, or if you read it correctly the information was wrong. The letter at the beginning of a "standard" serial number indicates the MONTH, not the day of the month, that the item was made. "H" indicates it was made in August.

Never depend on some random online site to give you accurate information about Coach products. The six Salearea Coach Guides posted here at tPF are more accurate than almost anything you'll find in some anonymous internet "guide" and include information on both creeds and serial numbers that covers most Coach products, although the emphasis is more on classic and vintage items. Coach has continually changed the formats of creeds and serial numbers starting around 2014 and all too many of the changes during much of the last decade make no sense at all.

SaleArea guides

Now that ebay is removing the guides they've been hosting for years, those who use those guides have been forced to either save them on their computers or print them. Tonight I found that the Salearea guides (including the Hyacinth/Salearea collaboration ones) have been saved to Salearea's...

forum.purseblog.com

.

 

[Teadrinker]

Thank you for getting back to me so promptly. Yes, as a newbie I’ve got lots to learn and appreciate being able to tap those who are more knowledgeable.

So glad my 9170 is authentic! I have another somewhat similar bag No. G4D-9951, again with a (not quite as contrasting) two-tone strap but it appears the two-tone is on all the piping. The big warning for me comes with the brass buckles both marked SOLID BRASS and what looks like a crown symbol. I tried to research and found information stating Solid Brass marked hardware was not used post (after) 1994, unless it was leftover or used on a specialty order. If I interpret the No. G4D correctly my bag was produced in July of 1994 in the United States. It has older style wording on the creed.

It was purchased at a thrift store and measures approximately 11”W x 9”H x 4”D with 45” strap.

Would you mind taking a gander?

 

[Roro]

Once again, I've purchased a bag because it's so CUTE! @LadaZuri, this one's for you.

Maggie small bucket in LAVENDER!

Vintage 90s Coach Maggie Mini Duffel Sac Crossbody Bag 9019 Lavender Leather USA | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage 90s Coach Maggie Mini Duffel Sac Crossbody Bag 9019 Lavender Leather USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

SELLER: bmorethrifter
# 294770937945
By the way, the seller clarified and the hardware is nickel!



Clearly I saved this photo for a reason! Authenticators, do your stuff!

 

[BeenBurned]

Thank you for getting back to me so promptly. Yes, as a newbie I’ve got lots to learn and appreciate being able to tap those who are more knowledgeable.

So glad my 9170 is authentic! I have another somewhat similar bag No. G4D-9951, again with a (not quite as contrasting) two-tone strap but it appears the two-tone is on all the piping. The big warning for me comes with the brass buckles both marked SOLID BRASS and what looks like a crown symbol. I tried to research and found information stating Solid Brass marked hardware was not used post (after) 1994, unless it was leftover or used on a specialty order. If I interpret the No. G4D correctly my bag was produced in July of 1994 in the United States. It has older style wording on the creed.

It was purchased at a thrift store and measures approximately 11”W x 9”H x 4”D with 45” strap.

Would you mind taking a gander?

Sorry, this one is fake.

 

[BeenBurned]

Once again, I've purchased a bag because it's so CUTE! @LadaZuri, this one's for you.

Maggie small bucket in LAVENDER!

Vintage 90s Coach Maggie Mini Duffel Sac Crossbody Bag 9019 Lavender Leather USA | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage 90s Coach Maggie Mini Duffel Sac Crossbody Bag 9019 Lavender Leather USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

SELLER: bmorethrifter
# 294770937945
By the way, the seller clarified and the hardware is nickel!

View attachment 5309091

Clearly I saved this photo for a reason! Authenticators, do your stuff!

It's authentic, made in 1998.

 

[Hyacinth]

Thank you for getting back to me so promptly. Yes, as a newbie I’ve got lots to learn and appreciate being able to tap those who are more knowledgeable.

So glad my 9170 is authentic! I have another somewhat similar bag No. G4D-9951, again with a (not quite as contrasting) two-tone strap but it appears the two-tone is on all the piping. The big warning for me comes with the brass buckles both marked SOLID BRASS and what looks like a crown symbol. I tried to research and found information stating Solid Brass marked hardware was not used post (after) 1994, unless it was leftover or used on a specialty order. If I interpret the No. G4D correctly my bag was produced in July of 1994 in the United States. It has older style wording on the creed.

It was purchased at a thrift store and measures approximately 11”W x 9”H x 4”D with 45” strap.

Would you mind taking a gander?

The serial number is fake too, along with other problems. The number itself could have been used in a genuine Coach, but the font used in stamping the number is totally wrong for ANY bag made in the "D" plant, in 1994 and any other year.

The authenticators here keep MASSIVE files of text information and especially of photos, for every plant in every year and almost every month of Coach history. THIS is exactly what a creed stamp and serial number from the "D"plant made in July 1994 should look like (the lines above the numbers are one of the very few variables). I've also included one for August 1994 since older creeds and number stamps can be hard to read:

July 1994


August 1994


In addition to the wrong fonts, the inside pocket zipper is totally wrong. Not just badly cut and sewn but also not long enough for the pocket. The "Solid Brass" buckles were discontinued in the very early 1990s so those are wrong too.

We also have to track when Coach made changes in the fonts, formats and wording of the creeds and numbers, the two photos above are good examples. Coach was updating their stampings on the fly, which is why one Coach logo still says "leatherware" under Coach and the one from a month later has the updated formatting that just says "COACH" in the cartouche. And to make things even more interesting, there are times when Coach and their plant personnel simply make mistakes. Those are the challenging ones.

Coach changes details like that regularly, that's why those photo files are so critical. Anyone who tries to authenticate Coach products and uses out-of-date information or computer analysis (looking at YOU, Entrupy!) or doesn't understand how and when all those small details changed is going to make a LOT of mistakes.

It's definitely fake, sorry. I hope you'll have any Coach purchases you're thinking of making authenbticated here before you buy.

ETA - the bottom seam is wrong too, it should be a single center seam on the base, not a seam in each corner.

And here's how the inside pocket zipper in most vintage all-leather unlined bags should look, the zipper should run from one edge of the pocket at the piping to the other edge::

 

[Roro]

It's authentic, made in 1998.

Thank you!!

 

[Teadrinker]

Sorry, this one is fake.
[/QU

The serial number is fake too, along with other problems. The number itself coulf =d have been used in a genuine Coach, but thye font used in stamping the number is totally wrong for ANY bag made in the "D" plant, in 1994 and any other year.

The authenticators here keep MASSIVE files of text information and especially of photos, for every plant in every year and almost every month of Coach history. THIS is exactly what a creed stamp and serial number from the "D"plant made in July 1994 should look like (the lines above the numbers are one of the very few variables). I've also included one for August 1994 since older creeds and number stamps can be hard to read:

July 1994
View attachment 5309125

August 1994
View attachment 5309128

In addition to the wrong fonts, the inside pocket zipper is totally wrong. Not just badly sewn but also not long enough for the pocket. The "Solid Brass" buckles were discontinued in the very early 1990s.

It's definitely fake, sorry. I hope you'll have any Coach purchases you're thinking of making authenbticated here before you buy.

Well crud and many thanks anyway. The thrift store keeps the nice bags behind the counter. The clerk hands over the bag to be inspected while other customers are impatiently waiting their turn so my inspections have to be speedy quicko. Oh well, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose...

 

[Teadrinker]

Many thanks anyway - in addition to other things, I gotta remember to check the brass buckles!

 

[BeenBurned]

Thank you for getting back to me so promptly. Yes, as a newbie I’ve got lots to learn and appreciate being able to tap those who are more knowledgeable.

So glad my 9170 is authentic! I have another somewhat similar bag No. G4D-9951, again with a (not quite as contrasting) two-tone strap but it appears the two-tone is on all the piping. The big warning for me comes with the brass buckles both marked SOLID BRASS and what looks like a crown symbol. I tried to research and found information stating Solid Brass marked hardware was not used post (after) 1994, unless it was leftover or used on a specialty order. If I interpret the No. G4D correctly my bag was produced in July of 1994 in the United States. It has older style wording on the creed.

It was purchased at a thrift store and measures approximately 11”W x 9”H x 4”D with 45” strap.

Would you mind taking a gander?

Sorry, this one is fake.

The serial number is fake too, along with other problems. The number itself could have been used in a genuine Coach, but the font used in stamping the number is totally wrong for ANY bag made in the "D" plant, in 1994 and any other year.

The authenticators here keep MASSIVE files of text information and especially of photos, for every plant in every year and almost every month of Coach history. THIS is exactly what a creed stamp and serial number from the "D"plant made in July 1994 should look like (the lines above the numbers are one of the very few variables). I've also included one for August 1994 since older creeds and number stamps can be hard to read:

July 1994
View attachment 5309125

August 1994
View attachment 5309128

In addition to the wrong fonts, the inside pocket zipper is totally wrong. Not just badly cut and sewn but also not long enough for the pocket. The "Solid Brass" buckles were discontinued in the very early 1990s so those are wrong too.

We also have to track when Coach made changes in the fonts, formats and wording of the creeds and numbers, the two photos above are good examples. Coach was updating their stampings on the fly, which is why one Coach logo still says "leatherware" under Coach and the one from a month later has the updated formatting that just says "COACH" in the cartouche. And to make things even more interesting, there are times when Coach and their plant personnel simply make mistakes. Those are the challenging ones.

Coach changes details like that regularly, that's why those photo files are so critical. Anyone who tries to authenticate Coach products and uses out-of-date information or computer analysis (looking at YOU, Entrupy!) or doesn't understand how and when all those small details changed is going to make a LOT of mistakes.

It's definitely fake, sorry. I hope you'll have any Coach purchases you're thinking of making authenbticated here before you buy.

ETA - the bottom seam is wrong too, it should be a single center seam on the base, not a seam in each corner.

And here's how the inside pocket zipper in most vintage all-leather unlined bags should look, the zipper should run from one edge of the pocket at the piping to the other edge:View attachment 5309145:

Well crud and many thanks anyway. The thrift store keeps the nice bags behind the counter. The clerk hands over the bag to be inspected while other customers are impatiently waiting their turn so my inspections have to be speedy quicko. Oh well, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose...

Many thanks anyway - in addition to other things, I gotta remember to check the brass buckles!

So you know, G4D, while often seen on genuine Coaches is one of the favorites used by the counterfeiters.
Here's another fake with the same incorrect G4D creed, this one with a style number that doesn't match the fake it's on.
Seller myliberty_1

Coach Classic G4D-9927 Willis Brown Leather Flap Turn Lock Crossbody Satchel Bag 92303157901 | eBay

STRAP DROP IS ADJUSTABLE FROM 18" TO 23". Liberty Pawn & Gold is owned and operated by Dave and Tammy Munsee. Dave is from Richmond and Tammy was born in Fredericksburg, VA. They have been married for 35 years and have a son that attended Fredericksburg Christian School, Riverbend High School...

www.ebay.com

 

[Teadrinker]

Holy cats! Well if I'm gonna get a fake at least it was one I can learn from. Now, when I have to make my super speedy quicko inspections at the better bag counter, I just gotta remember the warning signs; solid brass markings, uncentered bottom seam, too short interior zipper, fonts (OK, perhaps not fonts). You guys are the best and I really appreciate having access to your knowledge.

 

[BeenBurned]

Holy cats! Well if I'm gonna get a fake at least it was one I can learn from. Now, when I have to make my super speedy quicko inspections at the better bag counter, I just gotta remember the warning signs; solid brass markings, uncentered bottom seam, too short interior zipper, fonts (OK, perhaps not fonts). You guys are the best and I really appreciate having access to your knowledge.

I find all my authentic items on the racks where they put the assumed-fakes.

 

[Hyacinth]

Holy cats! Well if I'm gonna get a fake at least it was one I can learn from. Now, when I have to make my super speedy quicko inspections at the better bag counter, I just gotta remember the warning signs; solid brass markings, uncentered bottom seam, too short interior zipper, fonts (OK, perhaps not fonts). You guys are the best and I really appreciate having access to your knowledge.

I'm going to make it more complicated. THERE'S NO "ONE RULE FITS ALL" for Coach. Every style is different, and you can ONLY compare bags made in the same year, month and plant and with the same style number. Almost every plant uses a different font, see the pic of the zipper pocket in the bag made in Costa Rica, the font isn't anything like the D plant. Some Coaches have 2 bottom seams. At least one has 3, and a few don't have any. Very few fakes have fake brass buckles. Bags with linings have different inside pocket construction.

If you want to keep buying at thrift shops I'm going to give you a simple piece of advice. Buy ONLY from shops that guarantee either in writing or directly from the manager's mouth that if the bag turns out to be fake and you return it during whatever their return window is, they'll give you a 100 percent cash refund. No restocking fee, no BS. Just all your money back, or a full store credit if you prefer. You call the shots.

Selling fakes is a federal offense - a felony, to be exact. And that goes for thrifts, non-profits, estate sales, ANYONE. Then as soon as you buy it, post photos of it here and have it authenticated. If it's fake and the authenticator isn't pressed for time and you need to know why it's fake just ask. Some members even post photos right from the thrift shop but that's cutting it close and we don't man this madhouse 24-7, only when we find a space to spare in our personal lives.

And for heaven's sake, spend an hour or two and read and re-read the six Salearea Coach Guides posted here. The first 13 posts are basically background and most of the links in them don't work, but if you pay attention and read it once a week, you'll definitely learn something. The link is at the top of every authentication page in the Pinned section.

SaleArea guides

Now that ebay is removing the guides they've been hosting for years, those who use those guides have been forced to either save them on their computers or print them. Tonight I found that the Salearea guides (including the Hyacinth/Salearea collaboration ones) have been saved to Salearea's...

forum.purseblog.com

ETA- One more thing to remember - Coach is the only place that makes Coaches. There are DOZENS of counterfeiters, large and small, many of them very experienced professionals, and they can all be making different fake variations of the same style. It's not like there's only one wrong detail on the fakes of style ABCD, there could be dozens of fake details made by dozens of makers, all of them slightly different. If spotting fakes was easy, there wouldn't be almost 69 THOUSAND posts in this thread just in the last 7 years just about authenticity, and that's not counting the ten thousand-plus archived from a previous thread.

If it was simple, we wouldn't be making the Big Bucks, would we?


(And yes, I'm joking about the Big Bucks!)