106: Autographs 101
In-person vs. certified autographs, how authenticators work, and red flags to watch for.
Full lessons are coming as our autographs section grows. Here's the outline and the basics.
Lesson 106.1: In-person vs. certified
An autograph you watched someone sign means a lot to you, but a future buyer wasn't there. Third-party authentication gives others a way to check it. Many collectors get important signatures authenticated even when they were signed in person.
Lesson 106.2: Authenticators
Companies such as PSA/DNA, JSA and Beckett examine signatures and issue certificates or labels with a number you can look up on their own websites. Type the address yourself; don't rely on a QR code or a link in a listing.
Lesson 106.3: Red flags
- A "certificate of authenticity" from a company you can't look up
- A price that seems too good for a famous signature
- A seller who won't share clear photos or a cert number
- Pressure to buy right now
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Add an autograph with who signed it, the item, and the authenticator and cert number if it has one.
Educational only. This is not insurance, tax, legal or investment advice. Collectibles can lose value; past prices don't predict future ones.
Sources
General guidance; no outside figures are cited in this course outline. Related: Choice Insights: In-person vs. certified autographs.
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Last reviewed 2026-10-28 · Draft