Authentication

Authentication is the cornerstone of the autograph collecting hobby. It refers to the process by which a trained expert examines a signature and compares it to known authentic examples (called exemplars) to determine whether the autograph is genuine.

The three major authentication companies are PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), JSA (James Spence Authentication), and Beckett Authentication Services (BAS). Each company employs teams of forensic handwriting analysts who study ink flow, pen pressure, letter formation, and other characteristics unique to each signer.

There are two primary types of authentication: "review" authentication, where you mail in your item for examination, and "witnessed" authentication, where an authenticator is physically present when the item is signed. Witnessed authentication is considered the gold standard because there is zero doubt about the signature's origin.

When an item passes authentication, it receives a tamper-proof hologram sticker with a unique certification number. This number can be looked up in the company's online database to verify the item's authenticity. Some companies also issue Letters of Authenticity (LOAs), which provide a more detailed written opinion.

Always prioritize authentication from PSA, JSA, or Beckett. COAs from unknown companies, dealers, or private authenticators carry little to no weight in the hobby and are frequently associated with forgeries.

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