Okay, let me begin by saying that myself, along with a couple of friends went in together to win a very collectible rare sports item during a silent auction on all star weekend. This item by itself holds significant value, but during all star week, we were surprised with the invitation to actually meet the athlete in person and were given the chance to receive his autograph on it. Now my question is, should I pursue a COA (certificate of authenticity?) for this autograph? even though I have pictures of said athlete signing this ultra rare item? And if so how do I go about doing that? I am looking for the quickest way possible. Thanks!
PSA/DNA would be the only COA that you could get after the fact that would add any value. And there are various COAs you can get within PSA/DNA with various price ranges though I can't quote you any because it depends on the item(s). Myself, if you have pics (and a reciept from the silent auction or something), that's all you need. The pics (hopefully including your item) are your COA and give a 3rd party buyer the comfort that it is real. Congrats on what ever it was. I love collecting auto stuff.
I don't know if you saw the episode on Real Sports recently, but they touch on how even many COA's are FAKE!
that's why you use a company like PSA/DNA. they are very repuatable and are an industry leader. there are really only a handful of companies out there that are repuatable, you have to do your research.
where can i find PSA/DNA??? do i have to mail off the item? is pictures fine? how much does it cost? how long does it take? what would be a ball park price difference with or with out COA? They are very exclusive shoes of a top 5 NBA Player. Only 4 pairs in existence made exclusively for him. I noticed on Ebay I cant get my item into the special "legit" category unless I have a COA.
Did you see the episode I'm talking about? They also mentioned UPPER DECk who is supposed to be the most legit of all collectable dealers and even they were passing on fake signatures they considered real.
http://www.psadna.com/ Quick Opinions are the cheapest and you don't have to send the item, just a pic of the item. Otherwise I think you do have to send the item. Anyway, all the info is out there.
Upper Deck? Most legit? Bwa ha ha ha ha!!! UD doesn't authenticate any of their autograph cards, which is why their cards book for less than Topps. EVERY signed Topps autograph card is witnessed by a representative for the company. (I did it a few times myself.) UD just sends the cards to the player to have them signed and then sent back. In fact, I heard a story from one rep about a particular player who had to sign a bunch of cards from both UD and Topps. The player signed all his cards from Topps, while his cousin was sitting across from him signing all the UD cards (obviously, in his name). This is not an isolated incident, either. Upper Deck... legitimate... *snort* You're talking about the same company that was busted by Beckett for going into department stores, buying jerseys off the rack, and trying to pass them off as game-worn relics.
Wow..definitly a big thing if that is the case. They have been leading the way with all the memorabilia cards in their packs and they still get some good money for them from what i have seen recently. I guess that makes the COA on the back of each card worthless if that is the case.
You're exactly right and this is why I never bought Upper Deck cards when I collected them. Topps always ruled especially Topps Finest (Refractors kicked ass). Now it's just idiotic, I remember reading about a pack of cards costing over $500 (per pack) last year and you only got one card per pack but it was supposed to be either an autograph or some other type of specialty card. I have an autographed Hakeem Olajuwon ball with a pic of him signing it and I also got a COA from the company that sponsored the signing. The pics means more to me than the COA ever will.
