PSA Autograph Authentication Process 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first step in PSA's autograph authentication process when an item is submitted?
- Immediately comparing to exemplars
- Checking for signs of alteration before any comparison
- Registration and initial visual inspection for obvious issues (Correct answer)
- Weighing and measuring the item
Correct answer: Registration and initial visual inspection for obvious issues
Upon submission, PSA first registers the item and performs an initial visual inspection to identify any obvious issues before beginning detailed authentication work.
PSA's authentication process begins with registration and intake, during which the item is logged into their system and given an initial visual review. This early stage identifies items with obvious problems before they proceed to detailed exemplar comparison. Proper intake ensures each item receives appropriate handling and tracking throughout the authentication workflow.
Question 2: How does PSA build its database of signature exemplars for active athletes?
- By purchasing one signed item per athlete
- Through PSA On-Site authentication events, public signings, and acquisition of signatures with documented chain of custody (Correct answer)
- By requiring athletes to submit reference signatures annually
- By only using signatures from verified game contracts
Correct answer: Through PSA On-Site authentication events, public signings, and acquisition of signatures with documented chain of custody
PSA builds exemplars through PSA On-Site signings where they witness signatures directly, public authentication events, and carefully vetted items with documented chain of custody.
PSA's exemplar database grows through multiple channels: PSA On-Site events where PSA representatives witness athletes signing in person, authenticated signings at sports shows and conventions, and acquisition of items with clear documented provenance establishing authenticity. Witnessed signatures are the most reliable exemplars because there is no question of authenticity, forming the gold standard reference against which submitted items are compared.
Question 3: What signature characteristic does PSA prioritize when examining an autograph under magnification?
- The total length of the signature
- Pen pressure variations, ink flow patterns, and entry/exit strokes (Correct answer)
- The color of the ink only
- The number of letters in the signature
Correct answer: Pen pressure variations, ink flow patterns, and entry/exit strokes
PSA focuses on pen pressure variations, natural ink flow, and the characteristic entry and exit strokes that reflect an individual's unique writing habits.
Under magnification, PSA examiners analyze pen pressure evidenced by line width variation, ink flow consistency, tremor patterns, and the specific way a signer enters and exits individual letters. These micro-characteristics are extremely difficult for forgers to consistently replicate. Natural signatures show organic variation in these elements, while forgeries often display unnatural uniformity or hesitation marks from the forger's concentration.
Question 4: What is the collector implication of a PSA Authentic, Secretarial designation?
- The item is a forgery and should be avoided
- The item was signed by a proxy but is still generally valued similarly to a direct athlete signature
- The item typically trades at a significant discount to directly signed items (Correct answer)
- The designation has no impact on value
Correct answer: The item typically trades at a significant discount to directly signed items
Secretarial signatures, signed by a secretary or proxy on behalf of the athlete, are considered less desirable and typically trade at a significant discount compared to items with the athlete's own direct signature.
While PSA's Authentic, Secretarial designation confirms the item was genuinely signed rather than stamped or printed, it indicates the signing was done by someone other than the named athlete. The collector market strongly prefers direct athlete signatures because they represent a personal interaction or moment. Secretarial-signed items generally command 50-90% discounts to comparable directly signed examples, depending on the athlete and era.
Question 5: Why do older athletes' signatures from different decades sometimes look dramatically different from their later signatures?
- Athletes intentionally changed signatures to prevent forgery
- Natural evolution of penmanship over time, combined with physical changes such as aging or injury that affect pen control (Correct answer)
- Athletes sign differently based on which hand they use
- The ink type used in earlier decades changed the appearance of signatures
Correct answer: Natural evolution of penmanship over time, combined with physical changes such as aging or injury that affect pen control
Signatures evolve naturally over time as penmanship changes with age, and physical factors like arthritis, injury, or reduced dexterity in older athletes can cause significant stylistic changes.
Signature evolution is well-documented in forensic document examination. As individuals age, their handwriting naturally simplifies and may show changes in fluency. For athletes, physical factors compound this: arthritis in the signing hand, injuries, and reduced grip strength can dramatically alter pen control and signature formation. PSA accounts for these changes by maintaining era-specific exemplars, allowing graders to compare submitted signatures against reference examples from the appropriate time period.
Question 6: What does PSA's full Letter of Authenticity (LOA) include that a standard PSA sticker does not?
- A guarantee of future value appreciation
- A detailed written explanation of the evidence supporting or refuting authenticity, suitable for insurance and legal purposes (Correct answer)
- A grade number from 1-10
- A photograph taken at the moment of signing
Correct answer: A detailed written explanation of the evidence supporting or refuting authenticity, suitable for insurance and legal purposes
A full LOA provides a detailed written analysis of the evidence considered in PSA's authentication decision, making it suitable for insurance documentation, estate valuation, and legal proceedings.
While a PSA sticker provides a certification number confirming authentication, a full Letter of Authenticity (LOA) includes PSA's written analysis: a description of the item, the specific evidence evaluated, comparison notes to known exemplars, and a formal statement of the authenticator's opinion. This documentation is valuable for insurance policies, estate appraisals, and legal matters where a simple certification sticker is insufficient.
PSA Autograph Authentication Process 2
What is the first step in PSA's autograph authentication process when an item is submitted?