Whenever purchasing collectibles or autographed memorabilia from someone you do not know or trust, it is best to obtain a certificate of authenticity to ensure the item at question is in fact what you think it is, not a forgery or misrepresentation. Follow these simple instructions so as not to find yourself of the losing end of a scam job.
- Ideally, contact the direct source of the piece. At times however this may not be possible, as part of the value of the item is that it was signed by someone noteworthy with whom it is likely difficult to get in contact with.
- If you purchased the item from a certified dealer or gallery, in many states they are required by law to provide with the corroborating authenticity information. If you are unsure as to whether they have included your certificate be sure to ask, though most reputable establishments will automatically include the COA with your purchase.
- Independent appraisers are always a suitable alternative to put a skeptic’s mind at ease. Plenty of companies are dedicated to sports memorabilia appraisal, using FBI-type tactics such as forensics, ink-dating, handwriting analysis and more to determine the likelihood the item in question actually stems from the athlete or time period in question. They will then give you documentation to go with your item to serve as further evidence towards authenticity.