How to Buy Authentic Autographed Sports Memorabilia

Autographed memorabilia is only worth what you can trust, so it pays to know how authentication works before you buy. This guide covers what certification means, the companies you’ll see most often, and how to check a certificate yourself.

What authentication means

A certificate of authenticity (COA) is only as good as the company behind it. Most serious collectors look for certification from an established third-party authenticator. These companies examine a signature, compare it with known examples, and then attach a sticker or hologram with a unique certificate number that you can look up online.

Some signatures are witnessed: a company representative watched the athlete sign. Others are examined after the fact: an expert reviews the signature and gives an opinion. Both are common and accepted by collectors.

Authenticators you’ll see on our products

• JSA (James Spence Authentication): one of the most widely used authenticators. JSA certificates and stickers have a certification number you can look up on the JSA website.
• Beckett (Beckett Authentication Services): a long-established name in collecting. Beckett certificate numbers can be checked on the Beckett Authentication website.
• PSA/DNA: the autograph authentication service of PSA, known for trading card grading. Certificates can be verified on the PSA website.
• Fanatics Authentic: sells autographs from its own private signings with current players. Items carry a tamper-evident hologram you can look up with Fanatics.
• Steiner Sports: known for signings with athletes. Items come with a Steiner hologram and certificate.

You may also see items certified by Schwartz Sports; its certificate details are listed on the product page.

How to check a certificate

1. Find the sticker, hologram or certificate number on the item.
2. Go to the authenticator’s own website (type the address yourself rather than following a link from the seller).
3. Enter the number and check that the description (player, item and signature details) matches what you have.

Tips before you buy

• Look for the authenticator’s name in the listing and a clear photo of the sticker or hologram.
• Be wary of a “COA” from an unknown company or from the seller alone, with no way to verify it.
• Ask questions before buying. Autographed items are usually final sale, including ours.

How we sell autographs

Every autographed item at GPS Sports Gallery comes with certification from a third-party authenticator or our own GPS guarantee, and each product page names which. Browse by authenticator using the Authentication filter in our shop, or see our autographed jerseys.

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