Hermès Wallet Authentication: How To Tell if It’s Real or Fake
Hermès wallets are exceptionally popular in diverse markets. For some, it represents their first foray into the world of Hermès luxury handbags. Avid collectors may choose a handsome Dogon or Bearn wallet as part of their Hermès pre-spend. Unfortunately, counterfeiters also appreciate the demand for Hermès wallets, making millions of dollars selling fakes and super fakes. We’re pulling back the curtain on professional Hermès wallet authentication to help you protect yourself from being scammed. Let’s see how to spot a fake Hermès wallet.
Fake Hermès Wallets vs. Real Hermès Wallets
Hermès wallets are prized for the same premium leather and impeccable artisanship for which the atelier’s luxury handbags are known. Every facet is made by hand with meticulous attention to detail. When you mistakenly purchase a fake, you are not only paying for quality you didn’t receive but also are supporting those who scam you and others.
Learning the basics of Hermès wallet authentication protects you and your investment.
Key Features of an Authentic Hermès Wallet
Just like your favorite Birkin or Kelly bag, a Hermès wallet is crafted entirely by hand from the finest leather and hardware. So, Hermès wallet authentication starts just like authenticating a Hermès bag — with an overall appreciation of its quality. Hermès leathers and exotic skins are luxurious to the touch. They feel supple and rich, warm, and redolent of the scent of genuine leather. Counterfeit wallets and bags may have a somewhat plastic feel to them.
Examine the stitching quality. Every genuine Hermès wallet is hand-stitched using a saddle stitch. Every stitch should be small, regular, and slightly angled. Fakes are typically machine-sewn using a straight stitch. Loose threads or sloppy stitching suggest a fake, as does too-perfect, too-straight machine stitching.
While most Hermès wallets do not have much hardware, what they do have is excellent quality when genuine. Hermès hardware is typically made from solid brass plated with gold or palladium. It has a pleasing weight, performs smoothly, and includes identifying stamps. Our Hermès wallet authenticators examine every facet of the hardware. If the zipper sticks, the snap is hard to close, or the clasp is awkward, it is not genuine. While the hardware can become scratched, it is a sign of poor quality and a complete fake if it peels or flakes.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Wallet
The rise of “super fakes,” or high-quality counterfeit wallets and handbags made from premium materials, has complicated Hermès wallet authentication for amateurs and professionals alike. However, the pressure remains on would-be scammers. Of the many essential details in an authentic Hermès piece, fraudsters must get each one right, and finding a single mistake will identify the piece as counterfeit.
So, how to authenticate a Hermès wallet often comes down to tiny details. For instance, the heat stamp, typically located under the wallet’s flap, should read:
Since 1965, this has been the standard wording of the heat stamp. While many fakes get the wording right, the small details are critical. First, all three lines must be in all capital letters and stacked in the center. The first line is larger than the second, with the third slightly smaller. Next, the accent grave over the E in HERMÈS is printed flat, without an angle. On the word HERMÈS, the crossbar of the H, the middle bar of the E’s, and the R juncture must all be on the same line. Another tiny detail scammers often miss is the connection between the R and the A in the word FRANCE. These two letters are connected to a genuine Hermès wallet or bag.
The iconic logo is another feature to examine in Hermès wallet authentication. The Duc Carriage features an elegant carriage pulled by a spirited horse with a groom at the ready. This logo should be crisp and clear on a genuine Hermès wallet box or dust bag. Many mistakes are made when counterfeiting the logo, rendering the horse some deformed and unidentifiable beast. But even when the horse is depicted clearly, the wheels on the carriage may be off. The front wheel (on the right) is slightly smaller than the rear wheel and has 10 spokes, while the rear wheel has 12.
Another point to consider when learning how to spot a fake Hermès wallet is the date stamp. This subtle stamp is impressed into the leather without any color or foil to make it easier to see. Hermès date stamps are codes consisting of a single capital letter that a square or circle may surround if before 2015 or a plain single capital leather. No genuine Hermès article has been produced since 1945 without it. Check under the flap and inside the card slots or other pockets for the date stamp on a wallet.
How to Authenticate a Hermès Wallet
Learning how to authenticate a Hermès wallet involves scrutinizing many tiny details as you seek to verify authenticity. However, the overriding concern is this: is the wallet made as well as it possibly can be, down to the finest detail? “Good enough” is not genuine Hermès.
The professional authenticators at Madison Avenue Couture and our trusted third-party partners examine all the details discussed and more to verify that a Hermès wallet is genuine. They begin with an overall evaluation of the wallet, its shape, color, and the quality of the leather. Then, they focus on the details, stitching quality, hardware, heat stamp, date stamp, and logo. Understanding all that goes into a Hermès wallet authentication will help you to make wise purchasing decisions. Of course, the best way to protect your investment is to shop only with reputable dealers who provide a 100% authenticity guarantee.