Hermès bags are famous for their craftsmanship — and the tiny symbols hidden inside each piece are part of that legacy. These discreet marks reveal details about how a bag was made, who it was made for, and sometimes even its rarity.
Essential Hermès Stamps for Collectors
Horseshoe Stamp
A horseshoe stamp (HSS) is an Hermès Special Order piece. These are custom-ordered items.
Shooting Star Stamp
A shooting-star symbol means the piece was made by an artisan for their personal use, not for retail.
đź…˘ / đź…§ Blind Stamps
An S or X blind stamp indicates the item was purchased at a brand sale. If there are numbers after, it means it was purchased by an Hermès employee.
Square Stamp
A square stamp identifies Alligator Mississippiensis leather.
Two-Dot Stamp
Two small dots indicate Crocodile Niloticus leather.
Caret Stamp
A caret (^) identifies Crocodile Porosus leather.
Equal Sign Stamp
An equal sign marks Varanus Salvator Lizard leather.
Dash Stamp
A single dash marks Varanus Niloticus Lizard leather.
Why These Stamps Matter
These small symbols are valuable tools for collectors and buyers.
They offer insights into:
- Craftsmanship origin
- Special-order or artisan-made status
- Leather type (especially exotics)
- Production nuances and workshop history
- Overall rarity of the piece
Understanding these stamps empowers collectors to authenticate bags more confidently and appreciate the unique story behind each Hermès creation.