Answer First
The Hermès Constance 24 is a shoulder bag with a front flap and an H-shaped clasp. Gold in the name refers to gold-tone hardware, the leather color Hermès calls Gold (a camel tan), or both. A replica Hermès Constance 24 Gold copies the shape, the clasp, and the stamps. Specs: 24 cm wide, 18 cm tall, about 6.5 cm deep. Hermès does not publish prices online. Resale listings for a Constance 24 sit between $12,000 and $30,000, based on leather, hardware, and year. Replica prices run $200 to $1,500. Selling or importing counterfeits is illegal in the US under 18 U.S.C. § 2320, and US Customs can seize the goods.
What The Name Means
Constance is the model. 24 is the width in centimeters. Gold is the colorway, the hardware finish, or both. Hermès makes Gold in Epsom, Togo, and Swift leather. Gold hardware (GHW) is a gold-tone plated alloy. A Constance 24 in Gold Epsom with GHW is a common spec in resale and replica listings.
Sizes and Specs
Width 24 cm (9.4 in). Height 18 cm (7 in). Depth about 6.5 cm (2.5 in). Strap length is fixed; the bag sits on the shoulder or across the body. The clasp is an H turnlock with two arms that rotate into place. Leather options include Epsom (stamped grain, holds shape), Togo (soft pebbled grain), Swift (smooth), and Chevre (goat).
Gold Hardware and Gold Leather
Gold hardware on an authentic Constance 24 is a plated metal alloy. Plating color and depth change with production year. Old bags show fading on high-contact points. Hermès Gold is a yellow-brown tan, a long-running color that stays in production. The tone reads different on Epsom (flat), Togo (pebbled), and Swift (smooth). Replica listings print Gold on a tag or a photo and ship a lighter or darker tan.
What Replicas Copy and What They Miss
- Hardware: authentic H clasps have weight and a satin-to-matte finish. Replicas use light zinc alloy or thin gold plating.
- Stitching: Hermès uses a saddle stitch with two needles and waxed thread. Machine stitching shows a lock stitch on the reverse side.
- Stamps: the HERMÈS PARIS foil stamp and the blind stamp (craftsman code and year) sit inside the flap. Replicas mismatch font, depth, and placement.
- Leather: Epsom grain is embossed in a cut pattern. Replica Epsom often shows a wider, softer print.
- Edges: Hermès paints and burnishes edges by hand. Replica edges show filler or cracked paint.
Price Ranges
Replica Constance 24 prices run $200 to $1,500. Below $250, expect PU or split leather, glued straps, and painted edges. The $400 to $800 band uses cowhide with a grain print and brass hardware with light plating. Above $1,000, sellers claim imported leather and heavier hardware. No replica holds value. Authentic Constance 24 bags resell from about $12,000 up, and boutique retail sits near $10,000 before tax. Hermès does not service a replica. Authentication firms and resale sites reject it.
Legal Facts
In the US, trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2320. Penalties include prison time and fines. US Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit shipments under 19 U.S.C. § 1526. The personal exemption for one trademarked item does not cover counterfeit goods. A replica is not a reproduction under the law. It is a counterfeit if it carries a protected mark.
Buying Checklist
- Measure the body: 24 cm wide, 18 cm tall, about 6.5 cm deep.
- Open and close the H clasp. It should have tension and sit flush.
- Compare hardware color across the clasp, strap rings, and feet.
- Inspect stitching. Slanted, even, and tight, with no loose threads at the flap corners.
- Read the stamps. The foil stamp uses a clean serif font. The blind stamp sits inside the flap.
- Ask for the leather name: Epsom, Togo, Swift, or Chevre. Cowhide alone signals a low grade.
- Check the price. A $150 Constance 24 does not use full leather.
- Know the law. Sellers face felony charges. Buyers face seizure and no legal recourse.