Autograph Authentication Process Flashcards
6 cards from real PSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Autograph Authentication Process flashcards as text
What is the first step in PSA's autograph authentication process when an item is submitted?
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.
How does PSA build its database of signature exemplars for active athletes?
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.
What signature characteristic does PSA prioritize when examining an autograph under magnification?
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.
What is the collector implication of a PSA Authentic, Secretarial designation?
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.
Why do older athletes' signatures from different decades sometimes look dramatically different from their later signatures?
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.
What does PSA's full Letter of Authenticity (LOA) include that a standard PSA sticker does not?
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.