How to sell your Hermès Birkin Bag at Christie’s 

Selling an Hermès Birkin bag, whether it be through auction or private sale, is more than just a transaction — it’s a strategic decision that can reflect personal style, financial goals and life changes. Whether you’re downsizing your collection, shifting your style or seeking to invest in another luxury piece, selling a cherished Hermès bag can be a fulfilling and profitable endeavour. It is essential to approach the sale with knowledge, preparation and the right partner, like Christie’s, to guide you through the process.

‘When you’re selling your bags at Christie’s, you’re getting the same level of customer service as if you’re selling a $10-million Picasso’, says Max Brownawell, VP, Head of Department, Specialist, Handbags & Accessories. At Christie’s, the goal is to provide a seamless and personalised experience that enriches the lives of all clients. Expertise, experience and exceptional customer service, along with transparency, are the key factors that make Christie’s the ideal place to sell your Hermès Birkin bag.

How much is my Birkin worth?

There are many factors that determine a Birkin’s bag’s price: colour, size, material, condition, the year it was made and the amount that was produced. Discontinued and unusual materials, as well as seasonal colours, can all increase value, as can a design that is strongly correlated with a renowned creative director, such as Jean-Paul Gaultier. If the bag comes with its original box, dust bag and other accessories, that is also advantageous.

Find out how much your Hermès Birkin bag is worth by requesting an estimate.

Why should I sell my Birkin at Christie’s?

Since live handbags auctions launched in 2014, Christie’s has consistently been the market leader, setting the world-record price for a handbag, and the top price for a handbag at auction every year. Christie’s is also the world-record holder for a Birkin sold at auction and even sold a Birkin owned by Jane Birkin herself. With the Most Collectible Bags: An Important European Private Collection sale in 2022, Christie’s was additionally the first auction house to offer a single-owner collection of handbags. In 2023, Christie’s set the record for a single-owner collections of handbags at auction with the Inside the Orange Box sale series, followed by another record for Legendary Trunks: A European Private Collection, a single-owner collection of trunks, in 2024. Christie’s Handbag & Accessories auctions consistently have a sell-through rate at or above 95 per cent by lot, further demonstrating our ability to strategically curate auctions to maximise revenue on behalf of our sellers.

‘People come to Christie's specifically because we have these unusual and spectacular treasures’, says Rachel Koffsky, Christie’s Handbags SVP, International Head of Department. Hermès selections can include rare discontinued vintage pieces and one-of-a-kind special commissions as well as new limited-edition ones that are seemingly impossible to find in store.

Koffsky adds: ‘What also sets Christie’s apart is that we work with clients across 30 different categories, so if you’re a lover of handbags, jewellery and watches, we can help you collect them all. Because we have colleagues in London, Paris, Hong Kong, the Middle East and more, when we’re selling, you will have access to a global network of potential bidders and buyers.’

What are my selling options at Christie’s?

The best avenue to sell an Hermès Birkin at Christie’s depends on your goals. When selling Hermès bags at Christie's, there are two options to consider: auction and Private Sales. The pros for selling an Hermès bag at auction are numerous. Limitless upside potential is the biggest draw, as there is no ceiling should two or more bidders compete for the same bag.

When selling a Birkin bag through Christie’s Private Sales, there are different factors to consider. A reasonable price is set before the bag is consigned, which the seller will net once the bag is sold. The benefit to this method is that the seller knows how much they will receive once their bag has sold but does not know when their bag will sell. Unlike at auction, there is no potential for a higher price to be achieved, as there is no competition between buyers. Because private sales happen on a constant basis, they may be preferable to meet a client’s timing needs.

Which Birkin styles are particularly hot on the market right now?

For collectors of vintage Birkins, bags produced before 1991 are especially desirable because they were produced at Hermès’s Paris Faubourg Saint Honoré flagship. First released in 2004, the Birkin 25 is a smaller version of the original and also remains incredibly popular on the market.

Neutral classic colours, such as black, gold and étoupe (an elegant tawny neutral), tend to be the most stably sought after hues, however, Faubourg Birkins (emulating the architectural façade of the Hermès flagship) and Himalaya Birkins (made of Nilo crocodile) often command top prices at auction.

Is there an ideal time to consign?

Bags are collected and sales are curated in the months prior to the auction taking place, but collectors are welcome to consign year round. ‘This market never sleeps,’ says Brownawell. ‘People always want Birkins.’

I’m ready to consign — what should I do first?

Christie’s consignment process begins with a submission. First, send images of your bag to a Christie’s Handbags Specialist, who will review the piece, value it and determine if it is a good fit for auction or Private Sales. It is important to provide clear and detailed photos that show the bag’s condition and to provide all of the relevant information you have on the piece, including where and when it was acquired. You should always include documentation proving you own the bag, such as a receipt or invoice. Exotic materials require additional paperwork to sell.

Christie’s handbags specialists will assess a bag’s condition, colour, size, material, hardware, age and rarity when determining a pre-auction estimate or suggesting a net price for Private Sales. If the proposed values are within the seller’s expectations, Christie’s will then provide a consignment contract and take in the bag, where it will be catalogued, photographed and securely stored while it is offered for sale.

Should I restore my Birkin before selling it?

Bags that have not been used and are in pristine condition should be kept that way, but if your bag is older and has been used, contacting an Hermès handbag restoration expert may be a good decision. Sending your bag to Hermès for restoration, the preferred route, is an option if it has not already been restored by a third party. Christie’s can also provide recommendations.

What happens after my Birkin is sold?

Once the auction has closed, buyers are invoiced, and then payment is collected and sent to the sellers.

Your Christie’s journey, however, does not have to stop after your bag is sold. ‘We are happy to help people curate and develop their collections over time. We can give them advice on what they should be looking for next, or what they should consider parting with,’ says Brownawell. ‘Education for the collectors is a big part of working together.’

Why invest in an Hermès Birkin?

There are many aspects of Hermès Birkin bags that make them attractive investments. The unparalleled level of craftsmanship is one reason they are so well loved by people who value quality, timelessness and longevity. Exclusivity and scarcity are what drives a Birkin bag’s value on the secondary market and renders them status symbols amongst luxury handbags worldwide. Christie’s sets auction records for Hermès handbags season after season, another indicator of the strength of the handbag market.