Welcome, fellow autograph collector, to #3 in a series of how to improve your autograph collection! Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on, Certificates of Authenticity (or COAs for short) have come to be a necessary evil in the autograph market. Now, don't get me wrong-- COAs do nothing to increase the value of a forgery. However, they do offer peace of mind to collectors, provided that their items are authentic to begin with. As a collector and part-time seller of my (extra) autographs, I have come to realize that some buyers won't even look at an autograph if it doesn't come with a COA (apparently, authenticity isn't on the top of their radar). The problem with this logic is that any Average Joe can print one out on his home computer. It can be anything from a letter, a photograph, or even a simple slip of paper stating the item's authenticity. If the item is a fake, this does nothing more than boost the confidence of an unsuspecting collector. If COAs are important to you when making a purchase, here are some key things to look for: * Is there is up-to-date contact information on it (a web site, phone number, or a valid street address, for example)? * Is there a money-back guarantee? What are the terms? How long does it last (7 days, 30 days, lifetime)? Longer is better. * Does the seller tell you where and/or when the item was signed? If the seller can tell you where it was signed, that's generally a good sign that they have nothing to hide. However, be sure to use this information to your advantage. Do your research and find out whether that person was actually there at that place and time. If so, did they sign? Sometimes celebrities make public appearances but don't sign anything for whatever reason. If COAs don't matter to you: Do your homework and compare known (and I heavily emphasize, KNOWN) examples of that particular celebrity or athlete's signature. PSA/DNA and JSA are two of the more respected 3rd-party autograph authenticators. Most of the stuff they authenticate is right on the money, but they are human and do make mistakes occasionally. Additionally, do not dismiss an autograph just because it comes from someone you've never heard of. A lot of us "small fries" on eBay spend lots of time hounding athletes and celebrities. Just because our name is not as "out there" as the big guys doesn't mean we're not legit. While eBay is littered with fakes, authentic autographs can be found if you take the time to do your research beforehand! Now, you may be saying, "That's great, but I would NEVER buy an autograph," consider this: many collectors will face the dilemma of being "forced" to sell their prized collection, particularly if money becomes tight. COAs, while not a stone-cold lock guaranteeing authenticity, may help your buyers sleep better at night if you include one with their purchase (again, provided that the item is authentic to begin with). You are probably also familiar with the old adage, "If the price is too good to be true, it probably is." This applies probably 99.9% of the time. The other 0.01% of the time, somebody is strapped for cash and is looking to make a quick buck to pay off outstanding bills. So if you see a Tom Cruise or an Angelina Jolie selling for $20 for example, odds are very good that they are fake. In summary, COAs should not be the only thing you look for when buying an autograph. Be sure to do your homework and study the signatures. You don't want to find out that your $50 investment is actually only worth $5! Note: I am not an autograph expert by any means, but I do spend a lot of time studying signatures, styles, and penstrokes. My specialty is in modern-day celebrities (movies/TV) and most of the major sports (baseball, NASCAR, hockey, basketball). If you would like me to take a look at your items and offer an opinion, I would be glad to do so (at no cost)! Click HERE to contact me. Best of luck with your collection! Until next time, J.R.
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