Autographs 101 · Collector guide
PSA vs JSA: which autograph authentication should you choose?
Which authenticator fits this piece?
Answer four questions (value, what it is, budget and turnaround) for a neutral starting point. The interactive picker requires JavaScript. Without it: for lower-value pieces, compare a low-cost or photo-based opinion with the value of the piece; for higher-value pieces, consider a full in-hand review with a letter of authenticity. Always check current prices and turnaround on each service’s own website.
Options, listed alphabetically and not ranked: Beckett Authentication, JSA, PSA/DNA.
Pre-Screen the signature first: a quick AI opinion before you pay for authentication. Not authentication.
Autographs 101 is independent and is not endorsed by PSA, JSA, or Beckett. Some links to grading and authentication services may be affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This is general information, not authentication.
What should you compare before submitting?
Write down the signer, item type, number of signatures, existing documentation and your goal: a personal record, a sale or a trade. Authentication, autograph grading, card grading and encapsulation are different services; compare the same combination.
PSA describes examining the autograph and object against reference material. JSA describes expert examination and comparison with exemplars. Ask each provider about your specific item, the certificate or letter you would receive, and any placement of labels before sending it.
Which is cheaper, and which is faster?
Check the current official fee for the signer and service. Add return shipping, insurance, packaging and any optional grading, letter or holder. JSA provides a signer-based fee lookup; PSA publishes its current service information. A low starting price is not a quote for your item.
Ask the provider for its current estimate and whether your event or submission qualifies. Do not plan a sale around an unconfirmed completion date. Fees, availability and turnaround estimates change; this guide does not maintain a live price table.
Which autograph authentication is most valuable: PSA, JSA or Beckett?
A certificate company alone does not establish a selling price. Compare completed sales for the same signer, item type, condition, inscription and relevant documentation. Record the sale date and distinguish the actual sold price from an asking price.
Ask your intended selling venue which documentation it accepts. Treat the resale difference as unknown if you do not have comparable evidence. We do not have a controlled sales dataset that supports a universal ranking or promised percentage increase.
Is a photo opinion the same as authentication?
No. For example, Beckett Signature Review provides a preliminary opinion from images and does not include full authentication or a certificate. A positive review is not a guarantee of the outcome when the physical item is examined.
Check the named provider and exact service before paying for any quick opinion. This guide does not submit items or purchase services for you. Its AI Pre-Screen is preliminary research, not professional authentication.
What should you keep after the decision?
Keep the item photographs, seller claims, receipt, relevant certificate details and the questions you still need answered together. Separate what you personally observed from what a seller or provider reported.
Before shipping, record the condition and contents, follow the provider's packaging instructions and retain tracking. After the item returns, check the supplied documents against the object and update your collection record.
Frequently asked questions
Is JSA or PSA better for autographs?
Neither is better for every item. Compare the current price and turnaround for your service level, and check which certification similar pieces carried when they sold. Buyers in some categories expect one provider more than the other.
What is a JSA certification?
It is JSA's written opinion that a signature is genuine, recorded under a number you can check on JSA's verification page. A full letter of authenticity adds a detailed written opinion and a photo of the item.
Can I check a PSA or JSA certificate online?
Yes. Both companies offer official lookup pages. Confirm the record matches the signer, item type and details of the piece you have, not just that the number exists.