Box Code Deciphering

[El Presidente]

One for the Colombo gang......

 

Could this box code be legitimate 

Found on a box of Esplendidos

 

 

[99call]

November 1993  Briones Montoto - Romeo Y Julieta

Not 100%  others will chip in

[NSXCIGAR]

Very unusual code font and format post-1992. Also, it's non-El Laguito box of Esplendidos which would also be unusual for a box as early as 1993.

Neither could positively rule out the box being authentic but it's behind the 8 ball with those two details. 

[El Presidente]

let's see a little more skin

 

 

[Bijan]

Could be wrong but CCW suggests the semi boîte nature should have been varnished too. This doesn't look varnished to me.

Edit: I'm mainly basing this on the written description under the following link as it's hard to tell from the pic.

https://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/brand/cohiba#esplendidos

[avaldes]

I'm pretty sure a 1993 box would have a Cubatobacco stamp instead of a Habanos stamp. At least the '93 Boli Lonsdales I had did.

[NSXCIGAR]

5 hours ago, avaldes said:

I'm pretty sure a 1993 box would have a Cubatobacco stamp instead of a Habanos stamp. At least the '93 Boli Lonsdales I had did.

You're right--I had 92 in my head for some reason. HSA came in in 94, so this box couldn't be a 93. In fact, if I'm not mistaken the Cubatabaco stamp ran well into 94 so there's no possibility that date code could be correct.

5 hours ago, Bijan said:

Could be wrong but CCW suggests the semi boîte nature should have been varnished too. This doesn't look varnished to me.

I noticed that too, but it could be varnished and the underlying wood might just be lighter. I agree that at first glance it's got a pretty dull appearance and doesn't look varnished. 

But the bigger issue is how a 93 code appears on a HSA stamped box. 

[El Presidente]

Well done gentlemen 

[Ryan]

12 hours ago, avaldes said:

I'm pretty sure a 1993 box would have a Cubatobacco stamp instead of a Habanos stamp. At least the '93 Boli Lonsdales I had did.

Bingo! Habanos S.A. stamps started in March/April 1994.