How to ensure autographed jerseys are authentic

Autographed jerseys are among the most prized pieces of sports memorabilia — and unfortunately, among the most faked. Whether you're buying a signed cricket shirt, an NBA jersey, or an AFL guernsey, knowing how to verify authenticity is essential. Here's a practical guide every collector should follow.

1. Always insist on a COA or LOA

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) or Letter of Authenticity (LOA) from a recognised third-party authenticator is your first line of defence. The gold-standard authenticators are:

• PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
• Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)
• JSA (James Spence Authentication)

A COA from an unknown company or the seller themselves is a red flag.

2. Verify the certification number online

Every legitimate COA carries a unique serial number. You can look it up in the authenticator's online database — PSA at psacard.com/cert and Beckett at beckett-authentication.com/verify-certificate. If the number doesn't match the item or doesn't exist, walk away.

3. Examine the signature closely

A genuine autograph has natural variation — no two are identical. Look for consistent ink flow without unnatural stops, pressure variation where the pen pressed harder, and an absence of hesitation marks (fakes often show where the forger paused). Compare the signature to known exemplars in authentication databases.

4. Holographic stickers and tamper-evident labels

Reputable authenticators apply a tamper-evident holographic sticker with a unique number to the item itself, and a matching one to the COA. If the sticker looks like it could be peeled off and re-applied, be suspicious.

5. In-the-presence authentication

The strongest form of authentication is in-the-presence — where the authenticator witnessed the signing in person. These carry the highest confidence and resale value.

6. Buy from reputable sources

Stick to established auction houses, official licensees, and dealers with long track records. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

The bottom line

When in doubt, don't buy — or send the item to PSA or Beckett for authentication before completing the purchase. A small authentication fee is cheap insurance on a valuable piece.