Why Jsa?

Our trusted and coveted certification enhances the value and marketability of your items.

Letter of Authenticity (LOA)

Maximize the value and interest of your signed collectible with our Letter of Authenticity (LOA). Highly sought after by collectors, dealers and hobbyists alike, our LOA is given to any item that passes our stringent authentication process. It is accepted by all major auction houses around the country and is viewed as the gold standard of verification when displaying your prized collectible or offering it for sale.

The JSA Letter of Authenticity (LOA) features an inset image of the item and has been signed by an autograph expert in the presence of a licensed notary public. The LOA also features additional customized data such as quantity of signatures, manufacturer, writing implement, as well as type and/or model of the item. A certification label is placed on the item or letter (customer preference) with the corresponding number appearing on the LOA. Any item with a JSA perceived value of over $200 being submitted through our authentication process is required to receive our Letter of Authenticity.

Letter of Opinion (LOO)

This is a rejection letter indicating the autograph has not met the requirements as defined by our experts. The LOO states that it is the experts’ consensus opinion the autograph is of questionable authenticity. The LOO also provides specific details and reasons why our experts reached this conclusion, such as inconsistencies or irregularities evident within the signature.

Clubhouse Letter (CH)

There are occasions when autographed memorabilia is actually signed by someone else non-maliciously. These non-malicious signers are referred to as “ghost signers” and can refer to anyone such as a batboy, secretary, clubhouse personel/attendants, or in some cases other family members signing on behalf of the signer. A customized JSA "Clubhouse" letter will be written to identify the difference between these non-malicious (ghost-signed) examples and the actual autographs.

Inconclusive Letter (INC)

In rare cases, a clear conclusion as to an autograph's authenticity is unable to be determined. Even after extensive review, it is not possible for the authenticators to reach a consensus with any level of confidence; therefore, no opinion can be rendered. If your submitted item falls into this category, a credit voucher is issued for the full amount of the fee, which can be used towards a future submission

GO BACK TO JSA LETTER OF AUTHENTICITY

Basic Certification (COA)

Our basic certification / certificate of authenticity is popular among dealers and collectors. Basic certification employs the same valued authentication process as our LOA but is used to verify autographed items of lower value (JSA discretionary value of under $200.00).

Basic certification is not witnessed by a notary and is not accompanied with an image or full, customized description like our Letter of Authenticity. Your certificate of authenticity includes a JSA registration card with a unique certification number that corresponds to the alpha-numeric tamper evident label. Each certification number is uploaded into our exclusive database for 24-hour customer verification access. Submission fees range from $20 to $30. You can upgrade your certificate of authenticity to a letter of authenticity for just $25 per item.

Dealers or collectors with large inventories/collections should inquire about our discounted rate and/or our house calls program.

Witnessed Protection Program (WPP)

Promoters and dealers love our Witnessed Protection Program because of its high level of signature verification. One of our JSA representatives watches the athlete/celebrity signing in order to witness and validate the signature at shows, conventions and signing events. This eyewitness program removes any doubt that the items you buy and sell are authentic.

Items that have our WPP certification but have lost the registration card will either be required to upgrade to an LOA to keep the witnessed certification status or override the witnessed label with our basic certification.

GRADING

Take the next step in enhancing the value of your beautifully bold signature with our Graded Letter of Authenticity. All signatures that pass our authenticity standards are eligible for this LOA upgrade, which further examines the autograph’s condition. Determining factors include, but are not limited to: contrast, strength of signature, autograph placement, streaking-smudging, creasing, stains, tears in item. 1-2 signatures accepted. Any item with 3 or more autographs will not be accepted for grading. Combination of grades of the two signatures will result in the final grade on multi-signed items. Only signed baseballs can receive an overall score that grades both the autograph and item. This additional score is available at no additional cost when upgrading.

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How It Works

GRADING SCALE 1—10 (Half Grades attributed to overall grading on baseballs only)

GEM-MT 10

A JSA Gem Mint 10 is a flawless autograph. Characteristics include prominent pen pressure throughout. No streaking-smudging of any kind. The autograph location is perfectly placed outside of any dark area and doesn’t run off of the item.

Ball: A pristine baseball. Bold manufacturing stampings. No scuffing / scratches or any type of imperfections on any of the panels.

MINT 9

The eye appeal of the signature is near perfect, however, very slight imperfections exist in the boldness. Very minor ink welling and bleeding may be evident.

Ball: Baseball exhibits very minor flaws. Slightly off-white in color / minor deterioration of the manufacturing stampings.

NM-MT 8

Some imperfections are noticeable, but the signature is still strongly displayed on the item. Slight smearing / smudging may exist and a small tip of the signature may run off the item.

Ball: The baseball is still eye appealing, however, may exhibit minor scratches / scuffing. Manufacturing stampings are more evident than a MINT 9.

NM 7

Although a strong signature, there are multiple minor flaws throughout including fading / smudging / blemishes or wear of the autograph. A portion of the autograph may run off the item.

Ball: Baseball exhibits minor toning / scratches / scuffing or any other type of defect.

EX-MT 6

The signature is still complete and visible, however, apparent imperfections are noticeable. Several letters of the autograph may run off of the item and imperfections are clearly visible.

Ball: Although nothing major, the manufacturing stampings are noticeably lighter than previous grades. Toning / Scuffing / Scratches and other defects continue to become more evident.

EX 5

The signature exhibits heavy aging where less than a quarter of the signature might be missing entirely.

Ball: Signs of discoloration / aging and all above defects on each of the panels continue become more evident.

VG-EX 4

Significant fading, but at least 3/4 of the signature must be visible to the naked eye.

Ball: Noticeable discoloration on the baseball. Manufacturing stampings are at 25% of what would grade a GEM MINT 10.

VG 3

Half of the signature must be visible to the naked eye. Major imperfections throughout.

Ball: In addition to major flaws of aging / scuffing / scratching / discoloration, the baseball shows signs of cracking. Stitching is frayed.

GOOD 2

The autograph is near obliterated, but 1/4 visible to the naked eye without use of our Video Spectral Comparator to determine the validity of the signature.

Ball: Severe cracking on each of the panels / Manufacturing label barely visible to the naked eye

PR-FR 1

The signature is barely visible or faded completely to the naked eye. Autograph is obliterated.

Ball: Manufacturing labeling is obliterated / Extreme toning / scuffing / aging discoloration on each of the panels.

Outcomes

1) Autograph Grade
2) Overall Grade = Autograph Grade + Item Grade (Baseballs only)*

*No additional cost for Overall Grade service.

Grading Fees

*Must be submitted under letter service, if item fails a credit voucher for grading fee issued towards a future JSA submission.

  • $25 - If Authentication Fee is between $35 - $74.
  • $50 - If Authentication Fee is between $75 - $149.
  • $100 - If Authentication Fee is $150 and up.
Autograph Grading Guidelines
  • Any enhanced / altered / personalization removal or restored autographed item will not be accepted under this service.
  • Any autograph with a personalization done an in unknown hand will not be accepted.
  • Any multi-signed autograph with one auto failing our process will not be accepted.
  • Any painted baseballs will be accepted for autograph grade only.
  • Additional writing / personalizations / inscriptions will be calculated in autograph grade - item grade (i.e. a faint personalized “To Bob” will have an effect on the autograph grade).
  • The grade(s) assigned to the item reflect the condition the item was in at the time of grading. JSA cannot guarantee the assigned grade for life.
  • Any existing Letter of Authenticity (LOA) will be forfeited to JSA in exchange for a Graded LOA.
Minimum Grades Requested by Clients
  • If minimum grade isn’t met, client pays for full amount - JSA LOA issued with no grade.

First Look

A preliminary online review of your signature(s). This service does not guarantee the autograph to pass our full authentication services.

Coming soon…

Additional Services

Signature Debut Certification

Treasure your prized athlete’s early autographs with this unique certification. Every collector seeks an older style signature of their favorite athlete before they become a superstar. Any MLB, NBA, NHL, or NFL autographed item received by JSA prior to the athlete’s season opener of their official second season, may qualify under the Signature Debut service.

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Qualifications

At this time, Signature Debut is available only for the four major professional sports:

MLB

A positional player is considered a “rookie” when he has accumulated less than 130 career at bats. A pitcher is considered a “rookie” if he has pitched less than 50 career total innings. The player loses his “rookie” eligibility if he spends more than 45 days on the 25 man active roster. (i.e. Ryan Howard debuted in 2004 and won the Rookie of the Year award in 2005. Howard would have been eligible for Signature Debut until the season opener of the 2006 season.)

NBA

A player’s “rookie” season is the first season in which he appears in a game, no matter how many games or how much time he plays. (i.e. Nerlens Noel not playing the year he was drafted was eligible for the Rookie of the Year award the following year. Noel would have been eligible for Signature Debut until the very last game of his ROY eligibility year. Also, Julius Randle playing only 14 minutes in one NBA game made him no longer eligible for Rookie of the Year honors the following year. Randle's autograph would not be eligible for Signature Debut his 2nd year in the NBA.

NHL

To be considered a “rookie”, a player must not have played in more than 25 games in an NHL season. The player must also not have played in 6+ games in each of any 2 preceding seasons. The player must also be younger than 26 by September 15th of the season in question. If he is 26 or older, he is not considered a “rookie”.

NFL

An NFL players “rookie” season begins when he makes an NFL roster or is officially signed in any capacity. The amount of playing time in his “rookie” season, if any at all, does not factor into a players “rookie” eligibility. (i.e. Ryan Grant, who was signed to a practice squad in 2005, did not debut until 2007 and was no longer considered a rookie. Grant's autograph would not be eligible for Signature Debut in 2007).

*Please keep in mind Signature Debut is also available for any athlete still in college / minor leagues etc, but will not be available for any athlete that has officially completed his/her rookie season of their MLB/NFL/NHL/NBA professional career.

How It Works

The Signature Debut service is available at no additional cost from the normal fee schedule. There is no need to notate this on your submission form as this certification is automatically given to all items which qualify under its guidelines. Our Witnessed Protection Service or "WPP" events will not have Signature Debut available at the event, unless otherwise mentioned.

Signature Debut

COA / Letter of Authenticity

The same rules apply to Signature Debut as to our regular authentication service. Any item authenticated through JSA's Signature Debut service, valued over $200 (JSA discretion), will require our "Signature Debut" Letter of Authenticity. For items valued at under $200 (JSA discretion), the Signature Debut COA will be applied.

How do multiple / team-signed items apply for Signature Debut?

Any team or multi-signed item is limited to a maximum of 5 signatures for the Signature Debut LOA. All signatures must qualify under the JSA guidelines for Signature Debut (i.e. 2014 Ohio State partial team-signed helmet with Urban Meyer would not qualify for Signature Debut, however, if the helmet consisted of only the players on the team, then it can be deemed a JSA Signature Debut item).

House Calls

Personalized and confidential autograph authentication at your home, office, warehouse, or memorabilia shop to accommodate your large quantity authentication needs. Minimum $2500, not including travel and hotel accommodations if needed.

Personal Statement of Final Wishes

As collections grow and autographed memorabilia become part of personal estates, our authenticators have taken on the role as counselors to heirs regarding inherited collections. JSA offers consulting services regarding the circumstances and options surrounding a collection of any size. “And When I Die,” a simple statement of intent, can be prominently placed in the forefront of your collection, instructing heirs that James Spence Authentication will counsel them on fair market value, authenticity, and measures to properly distribute the property. Since we are not in the business to buy and sell, we perform this service as a neutral third party with no conflict of interest.

Are you ready for the next step? Contact Us.