sports cards

Whether you're a seasoned collector or just getting started, it's important to know how to evaluate sports memorabilia. With so many different items out there, it can be difficult to determine what is valuable and what is not.

That said, below are just a few tips to help you with this arduous task.

1. Be Cautious of Your Potential Purchases

The market for fake sports memorabilia is booming because people are willing to pay top dollar for something they think is authentic. However, unless buyers do their homework, they could end up with an item that is worthless. Forged signatures, fake jerseys, and other counterfeit collectables are all too common. So, if you're thinking about buying sports memorabilia, be sure to know what you're looking for to avoid being taken advantage of.

When it comes to sports memorabilia, especially playing cards, another potential problem is the existence of reprints.

There was once a case in which an insured filed a claim with Enservio for a set of baseball cards they had been gifted, which included a Mickey Mantle Bowman card. The card was damaged and the insured listed the value as "N/A", asking Enservio to assess the amount. Enservio determined that the card was a reprint, not the original as thought, and therefore only valued at $1.

The best way to avoid purchasing a knockoff sports item is to educate yourself on what to look for in a genuine product. This way, you can easily spot a fake and avoid being scammed.

2. Do Your Own Research

When considering purchasing a signed piece by a specific athlete, it is best to do your research and look up that player's signature. See if you can find pictures of the signature to compare and make sure they match up. There are many reliable sources that sell authentic memorabilia, so it is important to find one of these when making your purchase. For example, if you are looking to buy a jersey from a specific player, you can go to the sport's official store. The MLB, NFL, NBA, NASCAR, and NHL all have these stores where you can find authentic sportswear.

If you are careful about what you buy and make sure to buy from a reputable source, you can enjoy your sports memorabilia for years to come.

3. Make the Most of Authenticating Services

When you are looking at a piece of sports memorabilia, there are some key factors that you need to look for that will help you determine if it is authentic. The most reputable authenticating services will be transparent about their process. For example, Steiner Sports prepares a notarised affidavit that is signed by the athlete and a company representative. This helps to ensure that the item is authentic.

The notarised affidavit is a document that proves when and where an athlete had signed something, as well as what they have signed. This document is important because it shows that the signature on the item is real and not fake. Steiner Sports holograms also ensure that the items they sell are authentic and not tampered with.

Conclusion

Overall, it is important to do your research before purchasing any sports memorabilia. There are many factors to consider, such as the item's authenticity, condition, and provenance.

A reputable dealer will be able to provide you with all of this information. It is also a good idea to get a second opinion from another expert before making a final decision.

If you are looking for a great source of signed memorabilia online, look no further than our amazing selections here at Signed Memorabilia 4U. We provide you with only the best autographed collectables, ranging from sports memorabilia, music memorabilia and even signed Film & TV Memorabilia. Check out our online store for more of our autographed items and their prices.