How to spot a fake

The sports memorabilia market has a significant fraud problem that predates the modern authentication era and persists within it. Forged signatures are the most common issue. The solution is third-party authentication from PSA, JSA, or Beckett for any autographed item of meaningful value. Their authentication processes, which involve comparison against known exemplars and examination of signing circumstances, are the market standard

For game-used items, authentication is more complex. MEARS Authentication specialises in game-used equipment and their letters carry significant weight. Photo matching, which uses visual evidence to place a specific item in a specific game, is the highest standard of game-used authentication and commands a corresponding premium.

CollectorGrade take

Never buy a significant autograph without third-party authentication from PSA, JSA, or Beckett. The cost of authentication is trivial relative to the cost of owning a forgery. Any seller who is unwilling to provide or support authentication is a seller to reconsider.