Autograph Authentication & Buying FAQ
Everything you need to know about buying, verifying, and caring for authentic autographed memorabilia — from the team at Golden State Memorabilia. Every item we sell includes a certificate of authenticity from an industry-leading authenticator. Read more on our Authenticity Guarantee page.
How do I know an autograph from Golden State Memorabilia is authentic?
Every autograph sold by Golden State Memorabilia is backed by our authenticity guarantee and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from an independent, industry-leading authentication company such as PSA/DNA, JSA (James Spence Authentication), Beckett Authentication Services (BAS), Fanatics Authentic, Tristar, Steiner Sports, Upper Deck, or MLB Authentication. The authentication is stated in each listing's title, description, and photos, so you can confirm exactly which company certified the item before you buy.
How do I verify a PSA/DNA certification number?
Find the certification number on the PSA/DNA sticker or label attached to the item (or on its COA card), then enter it at PSA's official cert verification page at psacard.com/cert. The lookup returns the item description and autograph details on file, and takes less than a minute.
How do I verify a JSA certification?
Enter the certification number from the JSA sticker or letter into JSA's official verification tool at spenceloa.com/verify-authenticity. If the number is genuine, JSA's database shows the signer and item that the cert was issued for.
How do I verify a Beckett (BAS) certification?
Use the Verify Authenticity lookup on Beckett Authentication Services' official website, beckett-authentication.com, and enter the serial number printed on the BAS sticker or certificate. The result shows the signer and item associated with that certification.
What is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)?
A COA is a document or serialized card issued by an authentication company stating that a specific autograph was examined or witnessed by that company. A COA is only as trustworthy as the company that issued it, which is why Golden State Memorabilia only sells items certified by the industry's most reputable authenticators, and why most COAs include a serial number you can verify in the authenticator's public database.
What is the difference between witnessed and examined authentication?
Witnessed authentication (such as PSA/DNA Witnessed, JSA Witnessed, or Beckett Witnessed) means a representative of the authentication company personally watched the athlete or celebrity sign the item, usually at an organized signing. Examined authentication means the company's experts studied the signature after the fact and compared it against known exemplars. Both result in a certification, but witnessed certs carry the strongest possible assurance because the signing itself was observed.
What does it mean when a card is "slabbed" or encapsulated?
A slabbed card has been graded and sealed by a company such as PSA or Beckett inside a tamper-evident plastic holder with a label showing its grade and certification number. Encapsulation protects the card and permanently ties it to its certification, which is why slabbed items are considered final sale.
How should I store and display signed memorabilia?
Keep signed items out of direct sunlight and away from humidity, and use UV-protective glass or acrylic when framing. Sunlight and UV exposure are the main causes of autograph fading, especially on photos and jerseys. For signed cards, a sealed holder or graded slab offers the best long-term protection.
What affects the value of a signed collectible?
The main factors are the popularity and career significance of the signer, the scarcity of the signature, the type and condition of the item, whether the autograph is inscribed, and the strength of its authentication. Items with certifications from major authenticators like PSA/DNA, JSA, or Beckett are generally easier to resell because buyers can independently verify them.
How fast does Golden State Memorabilia ship?
Orders ship within 1-2 business days. Orders over $100 include free USPS shipping to addresses in the continental United States, and expedited shipping is available on request. Orders outside the continental US receive a separate shipping invoice before the order ships.
Can I return an autographed item?
If an item arrives in unsatisfactory condition, contact us right away at (949) 245-4798 or GSMemorabilia@gmail.com with your name, phone number, and order number and we will make it right. Note that framed items and slabbed or encapsulated cards are final sale and cannot be returned.