Brief History of the Birkin Bag
The Birkin bag is a true icon in the fashion world, highly sought-after by celebrities and the handbag-obsessed. Its legendary design was born from a chance encounter in 1984 between actress Jane Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London. During their conversation, Birkin expressed her need for a handbag that combined elegance with practicality to suit her fast-paced lifestyle. Inspired by this, the first-ever Birkin 40 was created in luxurious calfbox leather, featuring a thoughtfully designed structure with two rolled handles, a flap top, signature clou “feet,” and a lock closure—elements that continue to define the Birkin’s timeless appeal. Interestingly, the very first Birkin was the only version to include a shoulder strap.
Renowned for its unparalleled craftsmanship and exclusivity, the Birkin remains the most sought-after Hermès bag. Each Birkin requires a minimum of 18 hours of meticulous work by a highly skilled artisan and is stamped with a unique code that indicates the year of production, the workshop, and the artisan responsible for its creation. Securing a Birkin directly from an Hermès boutique is no easy feat—customers must establish a purchase history with the brand, and boutiques receive only a limited number of bags twice a year. Adding to the exclusivity, the specific styles and colors available are rarely disclosed in advance, meaning buyers must either accept what is offered or patiently wait for their desired size and color to become available. With over a million monthly searches, the Birkin remains the most desirable Hermès bag for both new and seasoned collectors.
Why the Gold Birkin Bag is a Classic Collector Must Have
Hermès is renowned for introducing new colors each season, but neutrals remain the most desirable by the largest percentage of buyers. After Black, neutral classics like Gold and Etoupe are the most popular. Hermès whites including Nata and Craie are also highly sought after. Unlike metallic gold, Hermès' Gold shade is a warm caramel-brown hue that embodies the richness and depth of its namesake metal. One of the defining characteristics of the Gold Birkin bag is its signature white contrast stitching, which accentuates the meticulous craftsmanship of Hermès artisans. This feature highlights the precise hand-double-saddle stitching along the bag’s edges, a hallmark of the brand’s commitment to excellence.
What Gold Birkin is Right for You
Palladium versus Gold Hardware
A Gold Birkin’s hardware can significantly impact its overall aesthetic. Palladium hardware creates a sharp, modern contrast, while Gold hardware enhances the bag’s warmth. Popularity of hardware with collectors tends to shift around and the choice is mostly a personal preference. Many collectors exclusively like one hardware versus another while others take into consideration the bag color for deciding on hardware. There is no wrong answer and hardware is one of the least important Birkin attributes that impacts price on the secondary market.
Retourne versus Sellier
Birkins were only available in the more relaxed Retourne style until 2014. The first Sellier Birkin was created as a Limited Ediiton Vache Hunter Birkin 40. Now Birkins in 20, 25, 30 and 35 are all available as Sellier and Retourne. When it comes to deciding on a Gold Birkin, generally collectors prefer the smaller 25 or 30 for a Sellier Birkin. The larger the Sellier Birkin, the more likely the corners get marked from wear. Since there are fewer Sellier Birkins on the secondary market, prices are often higher if both bags are in the same condition.
Price of a Gold Birkin
A Gold Birkin 25 in Togo leather is $12,100 while a Gold Birkin 30 in Togo leather is $13,300 at an Hermès boutique. Prices for a pristine leather Gold Birkin 25 or 30 generally ranges between $25,000 to $30,000 on marketplace and can range slightly more a auction. a Gold Birkin that is a size 35 or more than 5 years old with some signs for wear generally sells between $10,000 to $20,000. Leather Gold Birkin bags can sell above $30,000 at auction where there is a supply and demand imbalance on the secondary market. Since neutral colored leather Birkin bags are the most sought after, secondary market availability can drive prices above the normal range.
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Advantages to Buying an Hermès Birkin on the Secondary Market
1. Access
Sotheby's is able to provide access to a curated selection of Hermès bags from its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is a leading global marketplace that offers pristine Hermès bags in the most popular colors, materials and sizes along with rare Himalayan and Limited Edition Hermès bags. Our handbag specialists are always sourcing the more desirable Hermès bags from collectors around the world. Sotheby's also sells incredible private collections that include one of a kind Hermès bags.
2. Flexibility
Sotheby's provides multiple ways to purchase bags including auction, online, and in person in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris and London. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Hermès bag that isn't available at auction or online.
3. Value
While Hermès bags in pristine condition sell at a premium to retail, Sotheby's has bags for purchase at auction and marketplace in a range of the most desirable colors and materials. Secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's allow a buyer to purchase a store fresh pristine Hermès bag with the original box and all plastic still on the hardware without waiting for a call from an Hermès sales associate. While it is possible to purchase a Hermès Bag at a boutique, it is hard to predict how long it will take. Additionally if you don't have an existing relationship at the store, it is even harder to pick the exact bag including size, color and hardware. In many cases you may be offered a Hermès bag that may not be your desired color or size. Buyers also come to Sotheby's since they want to purchase more than two Hermès bags in a year. While we encourage you to build a relationship with an Hermès Sales Associate, Sotheby's can save you time when purchasing a Hermès.
4. Discovery
One of the best parts of a global luxury marketplace is discovering unique one of a kind Hermès or rare limited edition Hermès bags that are no longer available at Hermès. Sotheby's curated selection changes regularly and each auction has a unique selection of Hermès bags. You are likely to discover something new to you from Hermès.
Buying and Selling an Hermès Birkin at Sotheby's
Sotheby's has a curated selection of Hermès Birkin bags available for immediate purchase. Sotheby's also sells rare and collectible Birkin bags at auctions in New York, Hong Kong, Geneva and Paris. Expect to find the most popular Hermès Birkins in leather and exotic materials, new colors with recent date stamps, classic neutrals in all sizes and rare limited edition bags. We accept Birkin bags for consignment at auction and marketplace year round. Prices for Birkin bags range from $15,000 to $35,000 for leather while exotic Birkin bags are generally priced at $40,000 plus with Himalaya Birkin bags priced over $100,000.
- Browse Hermès Birkin available for immediate delivery.
- Explore upcoming handbag auctions across the globe.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich, London, Paris, or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Contact a Handbag Specialist about selling an Hermès Birkin bag.
Trust our worldwide network of leading handbag specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.