Over the last few years, the sports memorabilia industry has exploded. Goldin Auctions, the largest memorabilia auction house, is expected to generate $500 million in revenue this year.
Depending on who signed it or the medium it’s signed on, autographs can fetch a pretty penny or two. For instance, a signed Michael Jordan jersey currently sells for around $15,000!
Unfortunately, there are always charlatans and hucksters out there trying to peddle forged signatures whenever there is money to be made. Don’t be scammed!
Whether you’ve been collecting autographs for many years or recently picked up the hobby during the pandemic, it’s imperative to know the difference between a legitimate and a fake autograph.
Here are three useful tips for all the hobbyists out there.
1 – Watch the seller and the price tag
When it comes to spotting fake autographs, a little research goes a long way. Start by investigating the seller. Are their prices significantly lower than other reputable sellers? Do they claim to have autographs from every major athlete across the globe? If so, that’s a red flag—no legitimate sports memorabilia company has the resources to feature every star in its collection.
Be especially cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Autographs from high-profile athletes often come with premium price tags. If you stumble upon a “bargain” that feels like an unbelievable stroke of luck, it could very well be a scam. Trust your instincts—if something seems off, it probably is.
2 – Ask for provenance and the certificate of authenticity
Every piece of memorabilia has a story, and the more you know about it, the better. Provenance is the fancy word for the documented history of an autograph’s journey. If the seller can provide a detailed backstory, it adds credibility—and peace of mind.
Just because an autograph comes with a certificate of authenticity (COA), it does NOT mean the signature is real. Anyone can print out a generic COA.
If it includes a certificate, make sure it’s issued by a reputable and well-known sports memorabilia dealer or a trusted authentication company such as PSA, JSA, or Beckett.
These authenticators place tamper-resistant stickers on the signed items with a matching serial number on a corresponding COA that you can verify on their respective websites.
Although uncommon, it should be noted that fraudsters have also been known to fake PSA and JSA certificates, too. So, it’s important to know what an authentic certificate looks like as well!
3 – Compare, compare, compare
Educate yourself what an authentic signature looks like. Search online for authenticated signatures from reliable sources. Spend some time studying the details of these signatures.
Autographs are like fingerprints in the sense that each are unique with specific characteristics.
In most cases, scammers are unable to produce autographs that look exactly like an authentic signature. Pay attention to the details!
Does the signature flow freely and effortlessly? Or does the signature look forced?
Awareness of what an authentic signature looks like will hopefully allow you to filter out a majority of the fakes that are presented to you.
Spotting a fake autograph isn’t always easy, but with a bit of knowledge and a critical eye, you can protect yourself from costly mistakes. Trust reputable sources, do your research, and never rush into a purchase. The more informed you are, the safer—and more rewarding—your collecting journey will be.
