AUTHENTICATE this COACH!

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#196
Hyacinth said:
I don't think I have good news.

We talked about 2 other J5L- serial numbers recently, and someone also asked about one at the Ebay Purses Board.

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-708.html#post26181446

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-708.html#post26182104

The first creed pictured below is from a genuine bag made in the "L" plant in September of 1995, the "J5" part of the serial prefix. Not only does it match other bags we've found with that number, but in the upper left you can see the first two letters of "DONATED" that Coach used to stamp in bags donated to charities for use or resale.

The second creed is supposedly from the same plant, month and year but is very different. I don't believe it's genuine.

Compare both of them to yours, same serial prefix. I'm posting it right below the others. Look at the differences in the fonts of the serial number, and the thickness of the border around the creed, among other details. BTW, how many buckle holes are in each end of your strap, and is the hardware brass, and are the buckles stamped Solid Brass on the undersides? Another problem is that I've never seen a genuine 1995 Janice's in Yellow. Be VERY careful about buying classic or vintage leather Coaches in unusual colors.

I'm sorry, but there's a good chance yours isn't genuine. I hope BeenBurned and Whateve will also take a look.
Click to expand...

Still looking for more J5L-'s with legible creeds:

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-623.html#post25973296
plus the next few posts

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/COACH-Pr...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
 
#197
#198
Hyacinth said:
I don't think I have good news.

We talked about 2 other J5L- serial numbers recently, and someone also asked about one at the Ebay Purses Board.

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-708.html#post26181446

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914-708.html#post26182104

The first creed pictured below is from a genuine bag made in the "L" plant in September of 1995, the "J5" part of the serial prefix. Not only does it match other bags we've found with that number, but in the upper left you can see the first two letters of "DONATED" that Coach used to stamp in bags donated to charities for use or resale.

The second creed is supposedly from the same plant, month and year but is very different. I don't believe it's genuine.

Compare both of them to yours, same serial prefix. I'm posting it right below the others. Look at the differences in the fonts of the serial number, and the thickness of the border around the creed, among other details. BTW, how many buckle holes are in each end of your strap, and is the hardware brass, and are the buckles stamped Solid Brass on the undersides? Another problem is that I've never seen a genuine 1995 Janice's in Yellow. Be VERY careful about buying classic or vintage leather Coaches in unusual colors.

I'm sorry, but there's a good chance yours isn't genuine. I hope BeenBurned and Whateve will also take a look.
Click to expand...


Thank you so much!! I appreciate your expertise. Wow this is a nice copy!! The leather is great, the fittings are great, the stitching is fine. I went to a consignment store yesterday and this was the only coach that wasn't black....so I went for it. Luckily it was cheap!!

The buckles do say solid brass on them and each side of the strap has 3 holes.

ImageUploadedByPurseForum1392674982.104237.jpg

The buckes and grommets look silver in the picture
 
#200
soozlz said:
Thank you so much!! I appreciate your expertise. Wow this is a nice copy!! The leather is great, the fittings are great, the stitching is fine. I went to a consignment store yesterday and this was the only coach that wasn't black....so I went for it. Luckily it was cheap!!

The buckles do say solid brass on them and each side of the strap has 3 holes.

View attachment 2508311

The buckes and grommets look silver in the picture
Click to expand...

The last time Coach used buckles stamped Solid Brass was around 1991-92 for the larger Dakota bags. And genuine Janice's Legacy bags should always have four buckle holes on each end. Below is Coach's 1996 Preview catalog photo.

I'm sorry, but it's not genuine. I hope the store will give you a refund.
 

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#201
Hyacinth said:
The last time Coach used buckles stamped Solid Brass was around 1991-92 for the larger Dakota bags. And genuine Janice's Legacy bags should always have four buckle holes on each end. Below is Coach's 1996 Preview catalog photo.

I'm sorry, but it's not genuine. I hope the store will give you a refund.
Click to expand...


Oh well, live and learn. : ) it's all good.
They don't do returns, this was only $15. Not sure what I'll do with it if it's here it's one less copy for sale. If I do release it back into the wild I will mark it as a fake, somehow.
 
#202
vintageb1 said:
Thank you so much, Hyacinth! I learn something new every day.
So could the plant have used a different stamp for the first three digits of the serial no. than the last 4 (thus the different font)?
Click to expand...

All the stamps had changeable digits that could be replaced or updated as needed. It's not unusual to see an older bag with two or even three different fonts in the serial number, especially in older plants or like in this case, plants outside the US. The Costa Rica font mix is unique and we can usually know exactly which plant made those serial numbers even if we can't see the country's name or plant code.
 
#203
soozlz said:
Oh well, live and learn. : ) it's all good.
They don't do returns, this was only $15. Not sure what I'll do with it if it's here it's one less copy for sale. If I do release it back into the wild I will mark it as a fake, somehow.
Click to expand...

Don't release it back into the wild. It will just end up for sale again and someone else will end up spending money on a fake.
 
#204
Hyacinth said:
Don't release it back into the wild. It will just end up for sale again and someone else will end up spending money on a fake.
Click to expand...


Maybe someday I can use the leather for something. I do have to go back to that store, though. There was another Janice in black. I want to check the buckles, holes, etc. This was a great lesson. I never thought of those details.
 
#205
Hyacinth said:
All the stamps had changeable digits that could be replaced or updated as needed. It's not unusual to see an older bag with two or even three different fonts in the serial number, especially in older plants or like in this case, plants outside the US. The Costa Rica font mix is unique and we can usually know exactly which plant made those serial numbers even if we can't see the country's name or plant code.
Click to expand...

Thank you again!
I have ONE more question 😄
What does this stamped letter N mean?ImageUploadedByPurseForum1392682924.468706.jpg
 
#209
soozlz said:
Maybe someday I can use the leather for something. I do have to go back to that store, though. There was another Janice in black. I want to check the buckles, holes, etc. This was a great lesson. I never thought of those details.
Click to expand...

Not all fakes will have such obvious problems. Usually problems with the serial number are the first red flags.
 
#210
Hyacinth said:
I'm sorry, but there's a good chance yours isn't genuine. I hope BeenBurned and Whateve will also take a look.
Click to expand...

I agree that the font looks like the others we saw and confirmed as fake. Sorry.

soozlz said:
Thank you so much!! I appreciate your expertise. Wow this is a nice copy!! The leather is great, the fittings are great, the stitching is fine. I went to a consignment store yesterday and this was the only coach that wasn't black....so I went for it. Luckily it was cheap!!
Click to expand...

soozlz said:
Oh well, live and learn. : ) it's all good.
They don't do returns, this was only $15. Not sure what I'll do with it if it's here it's one less copy for sale. If I do release it back into the wild I will mark it as a fake, somehow.
Click to expand...

Hyacinth said:
Don't release it back into the wild. It will just end up for sale again and someone else will end up spending money on a fake.
Click to expand...
$15 is $15 and since you got an illegal fake, I think you should go back for a refund.

Whether it's a thrift store, a consignment store and any other type of venue (even yard sales), the sale of counterfeit goods is illegal and it's the stores' responsibility to authenticate their items before putting them on the selling floor.

Even if they take it back and instead of a cash refund, allow you an exchange, perhaps you can find something for your $15.
 
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