A Guide To The Rarest and Most Expensive Hermès Bags
Learn more about the sought after Hermès bags desired by the most dedicated collectors.
Rarest and Most Expensive Hermès Bags
The Hermès brand was born in 1837 when Thierry Hermès founded a harness workshop in Paris. The company’s mission was to create equestrian leather goods for European nobles. In 1900, Hermès introduced its first bag to consumers: the Haut à Courroies (aka the HAC). This Hermès bag was designed specifically to carry riders’ saddles. In the 1920s, Hermès grew to include accessories, clothing, handbags, and travel bags. In 1935, the Hermès Kelly – then called the Sac à Dépchêches – was introduced, followed by the Hermès Constance in 1959, and the Birkin in 1984. Hermès has always possessed an unwavering commitment to quality and their leather goods are still handmade by highly trained artisans today.
One of the main factors that attracts people to Hermès bags is their timelessness. With design aspects stretching back over a hundred years, and a commitment to the highest quality craftsmanship and materials, Hermès bags, the Birkin and Kelly in particular, have stood the test of time and proven their staying power. But not all Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags are classic designs. The French fashion house also releases limited edition versions, or examples in rare seasonal colors and materials, that keep Hermès collectors always wanting more. Keep reading to discover a list of the rarest and most expensive Hermès bags that is highly sought after by dedicated collectors.
Hermès Himalaya Bags
Topping the most expensive lists year after year is Hermès Diamond Himalaya Kelly and Birkin bags. The Hermès Himalayan takes its inspiration from early crocodile and alligator bags that, if not dyed black or brown, would be lightened to highlight the skin's natural coloring. The Hermès Himalayan is named after the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan mountains. Every Hermès Himalayan is only offered in Matte Niloticus Crocodile. The Diamond Himalaya bags all have 18K white gold hardware. The Hermès Himalaya Birkin and Kelly always sell at a premium to other Matte Crocodile bags and Diamond Himalaya Birkin and Kelly sell for even higher prices. The most expensive Hermès Himalaya to sell was a Diamond Himalaya Birkin 30 that sold for $450,000 via Private Sale in 2022. Prices for Diamond Himalaya Birkins and Kelly bags have declined since this peak but are consistently the most expensive Hermès bags to sell on the secondary market. In 2024, Sotheby's sold a Diamond Himalaya Kelly 25 for about $330,000.
Hermès Diamond Crocodile Bags
After the Hermès Diamond Himalaya Birkin and Kelly bags, Diamond Crocodile Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags are generally the next most expensive Hermès bags. It is the sister of the Diamond Birkin Himalyan, differing only in the treatment of the exotic skin. A true collectors item, this Hermès bag features crocodile skin paired with diamond-encrusted white gold hardware. These bags have been made in classic Birkin sizes 25, 30, 35, and 40 centimeters. Diamond Crocodile Kelly bags have been made in 25, 28, 32 and 35. Both the Diamond Crocodile Birkin and Kelly bags have been made in a range of colors and in both Matte and Shiny finish. Sotheby's has sold a Diamond Crocodile Mini Kelly for just over $200,000 in 2023 and a Diamond Crocodile Bleu Jean Birkin 25 for almost $200,000 in 2023.
Hermès Faubourg Birkin
The Limited Edition Hermès Faubourg Birkin 20 was first released in 2019 but the most expensive version is the Neige Snow Faubourg Birkin 20 released in 2021. Of all of the Hermès Faubourg Birkin 20 bags, the Snow is the only version with an Alligator body versus the an alligator flap. The most expensive Faubourg Birkin 20 Snow sold in 2022 for just over $300,000 but is now selling closer to $200,000. The Faubourg Birkin 20 Snow remains one of the most sought after Hermès bags and new color variations are likely to remain desired by top Hermès collectors.
Hermès Metallic Bags
The Hermès Metallic bag’s design draws its inspiration from window displays designed by Leïla Menchari for the Hermès Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré storefront. In order to produce the metallic pigmentation, Hermès artisans must add so much dye to the leather that the leather’s texture changes. The metallic bags from 2004 to 2005 are highly desired by Hermès collectors since these bags were only made for a short period of time. The most expensive Metallic bag to sell so far at Sotheby's is a Metallic Silver and Bronze Chevre Birkin 25 from 2005 that sold for almost $140,000 in 2022. A Bronxe Metallic Kelly 25 from 2005 sold for about $130,000 in 2023. Hermès recently reintroduced metallic Mini Kelly and Constance bags that have been well received by collectors but prices so far have trended much lower than the bags from 2004 and 2005.
Hermès So Black Bags
Rare runway bags from Jean-Paul Gaultier’s time at Hermès are among the rarest and most collectible. Among his most iconic, timeless creations is the Hermès So Black collection unveiled in Fall 2010. The So Black collection was one of his last before leaving the luxury fashion house. Featuring black PVD hardware and all-black packaging, the Hermès So Black bags are highly coveted by collectors. The most expensive Hermès So Black bag to sell at Sotheby's was a So Black Feather Kelly 35 that sold for just over $260,000 in 2023. The Hermès So Black Matte Alligator Birkin 30 is also one of the rarest and most expensive bags in the So Black collection and sells for over $100,000.
Hermès Picnic
The Hermès Life Sportif has always been central to the brand’s identity, and the ultimate activity of leisure and luxury is picnicking. Crafted from Osier Wicker and Swift leather, the Hermès Picnic requires two top-level craftspeople to create: a master saddler for the leather, and an expert basket weaver for the body, which reportedly takes around 10 hours to craft. The Hermès Kelly Picnic 35 was first introduced by Jean-Paul Gaultier in 2011. The Hermès Mini Kelly Picnic was released in 2019 and the Hermès Birkin 25 Picnic in 2021. The most expensive Hermès Mini Kelly Picnic sold in 2021 for over $100,000. The most expensive Picnic Birkin 25 sold in 2022, soon after its release for almost $82,000. While prices have settled since these peaks, the Hermès Picnic bags are among the most expensive non exotic bags.
Hermès Susan Bag
The Hermès Susan bag, designed for socialite philanthropist and Hermès collector Susan Casden, is somewhat mythical among Hermès lovers. The epitome of a personal ‘Horizon’ order, the Susan Casden Hermès bag utilizes the iconic Kelly closure in an easy and practical shoulder bag with two front magnetic flap pockets and one rear slip pocket. Reportedly produced for others only with Casden’s permission, examples of this bag are almost never found on the secondary market. It is rumored Hermès will no longer make bespoke Horizon order bags with Birkin or Kelly related designs, making the Hermès Susan bag even more special.
Buying and Selling an Hermès bags at Sotheby's
Sotheby's has a curated selection of Hermès bags available to purchase online or in person in one of our global Salons. Sotheby's also sells rare and collectible Hermès bags at auction in New York, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong. Shop the newest colors with 2024 date stamps, classic neutrals in all sizes and rare limited edition bags. Expect to find pristine Hermès bags in leather and exotic materials in a range of sizes priced between $5,000 to $100,000 plus. Shop rare and limited edition Birkin and Kelly bags, the newest Constance Elan and leather Bolide and Picotins in the most popular colors. New bags arrive weekly, so you can also check back regularly for the latest selection.
- Browse Hermès bags 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 & Fashion Specialist about selling an Hermès bag.
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