How To Determine the Value of Sports Autographed Memorabilia | Gameday Connexion - Sports Memorabilia & Collectibles (2023)

Many factors go into determining the value of your signed collectible. Today, we look at five key areas which contribute to your signed collectible’s value.

The top factor concerning your item’s value is who authenticated it. Without authentication, your signed collectible’s value is only worth what someone is willing to pay and has no real value in the open market. But if a trusted source authenticates your item, the signature’s value increases.

There is a demand for authenticated sports memorabilia. A Michael Jordan autographed basketball authenticated by UDA is worth hundreds of dollars more than the same basketball signed by Jordan without authentication. If your item hasn’t been authenticated, I recommend contacting a third party authentication company and have them review it. There is an associated fee charged, but it is well worth it if you ever plan on selling your collectible or if you are passing it down to someone else.

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Second, how good was the player? A player’s greatness helps the signature’s value in a big way. For example, Tom Brady is one of the best football players of all time. Because of this, his signature’s value is one of the highest in sports. The same holds true for Hank Aaron, Magic Johnson, and Wayne Gretzky. All three are among the greatest to play their respective sport. Player records, “Hall of Fame” status, along with world championship wins, are just a few aspects that play an integral part in a signature’s value.

Third, how scarce is their signature? Going back to the example of Tom Brady — he does not sign a lot of autographs. His signature isn’t only valuable because he’s a great player but also because there are so few authenticated Tom Brady signatures out there.

Barry Bonds’ signature, back when he was playing (and even today), was almost impossible to get. He did not attend autograph shows and would not sign at the ballparks. To many collectors, his signature is gold because it is so hard to find. On the other hand, there are players like Cal Ripken, Jr. When he played, he regularly signed at the ballparks. And, now, he does autograph shows all over the country. His signature carries value, but not as much as if it weren’t everywhere. The more he signs, over time, the more his signature’s value will diminish.

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Fourth, what item did the athlete sign? Value is considerably determined by what gets signed. For instance, a signed Lebron James Jersey is worth a lot more than a signed Lebron James photograph. Helmets and Jerseys are two of the most valuable items you can get signed. Balls, bats, cleats, and gloves (to name a few) tend to maintain stable values. Signed, yet unframed, photographs are usually worth much less had their framed counterparts. Signed game-used items carry a greater value because of how limited the piece is. In the golf world, a photo typically has more value as golf balls do not sign well and are hard to read. Only a limited number of collectors collect signed visors, so the photo is a more valuable when it comes to golf.

Fifth, a player’s popularity can sway value. Derek Jeter was a great baseball player. He played for the Yankees, and the majority of the sports watching world liked and respected him — a fact that contributed a great deal to the increase in his signature’s value. During the time when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa battled to break Roger Maris’ record for “Most Home Runs in a Season,” both their signatures skyrocketed in value. Once their duel ended, the value began to drop. It dropped even further when all the drug speculation began. Jeremy Lin, when he played for the New York Knicks, was on an incredible run. As a result of his increased popularity, his signature was in high demand. He wasn’t going to be the next Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, but people loved him. Now that he’s come back to earth, and is playing at a very average level, his signature is not worth anything near what it was during that short stretch. One last example is that of Joe Montana — he signs a lot of autographs but is still so popular with fans that his signature’s value holds up.

As you can see, an autographed item’s value is determined by many factors. Not just these five, but also considerations like the pen that was used, as well as its color. Also, where the item was signed can have an effect on its value.

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Hopefully, these five key areas will help you when it comes to determining the value of your signed sports collectible. And, until next time, please check out GamedayConnexion.com for further information, old blog posts, upcoming signings, and all your sports collectible needs.

How To Determine the Value of Sports Autographed Memorabilia | Gameday Connexion - Sports Memorabilia & Collectibles (1)

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FAQs

How do I find out what my sports memorabilia is worth? ›

If you're looking to find the value of your sports collectibles, consider getting an appraisal from an accredited sports memorabilia appraisal service. These companies offer full appraisal reports by credentialed professionals, giving you a comprehensive evaluation of your items.

How do I find out what my autograph is worth? ›

You can also go to an appraiser, who will give you an estimate, if you're just curious about an autograph's value. The appraiser will also give you some idea of whether the autograph is authentic. “Usually you can get a quick opinion for $30 or $40,” Masckauchan says.

Is there an app to identify autographs? ›

The answer is yes! Autograph ID is a mobile app available for both Android and iOS. It uses a combination of advanced machine learning algorithms and human expertise to accurately identify autographs. It can recognize signatures from over 500 celebrities with a 95% accuracy rate.

How much is a signed autograph worth? ›

Autographs are big business and can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. How much a particular autograph is worth usually depends upon a couple of factors: the popularity or notoriety of the person in question and rarity. The more popular or notorious a person is, the more valuable the autograph.

What type of sports memorabilia is worth the most? ›

The Top 6 Most Expensive Sports Memorabilia Pieces
  • James Naismith's 1891 Rules of Basketball ($4.3 million) ...
  • Babe Ruth 1928-30 jersey ($5.64 million) ...
  • Muhammad Ali's Rumble in the Jungle championship belt ($6.18 million) ...
  • Original Olympic Games manifesto ($8.8 million) ...
  • Diego Maradona Hand of God jersey ($9.28 million)
Nov 3, 2022

How can I find out what items are worth? ›

Try sites such as What's It Worth to You, Value My Stuff, and Worth Point. If you're searching for the tax-deductible value of items that have been donated, you can use valuation sites, tax preparation companies (such as Turbo Tax) or the Salvation Army.

Who is the most trusted autograph authentication? ›

PSA is the largest and most trusted autograph authentication service in the world. With over 35 million collectibles certified, PSA authenticates a vast array of signatures, ranging from sports to history and entertainment.

Where can I authenticate sports autographs? ›

One of the most reliable companies is Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), which has been authenticating sports memorabilia since 1991. Their process involves a team of experts who examine the item and compare it to the company's database of over 35 million authenticated items.

Does signed sports memorabilia increase in value? ›

The value of an autograph from an athlete considered a sports icon will stay steady or become more sought after and collectible over time. Some icons include Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and Michael Jordan.

How to sell signed sports memorabilia? ›

Some of the top places to sell sports memorabilia include the following.
  1. Online Auction Sites. Online auction platforms are a great way to sell sports memorabilia. ...
  2. Sports Memorabilia Auction Houses. ...
  3. Sports Memorabilia Forum. ...
  4. Online Sports Memorabilia Collectors. ...
  5. Local Dealer Shops.
Apr 29, 2022

What is the rarest autograph in sports? ›

Toughest Autographs to Obtain
  • TIGER WOODS. Notorious for both martial issues and hole-in-ones, Tiger Woods has been known to refuse fan-pleaded autographs in public. ...
  • JAKE ARRIETA. ...
  • CHIPPER JONES. ...
  • BARRY BONDS. ...
  • PEYTON MANNING. ...
  • AARON RODGERS. ...
  • BRETT FAVRE. ...
  • RUSTY TILLMAN.

What makes an autograph more valuable? ›

The condition of the autograph, as well as what the autograph is written on, are among the factors that determine an autograph's value. However, the most important factor is who the autograph belongs to, and whether it is in high demand. Whether or not the autograph is rare also plays a role in its value.

How do you tell if a signature is a copy or original? ›

When the ink color and tone of the autograph exactly matches either the color and tone of the printed text (or at least some of it), and/or the image on the same page, that is a sign that they were all printed together. In that case, you are most likely seeing a printed autograph and not a real hand-signed one.

Is an autograph worth anything without certificate of authenticity? ›

Without authentication, your signed collectible's value is only worth what someone is willing to pay and has no real value in the open market. But if a trusted source authenticates your item, the signature's value increases.

Do pawn shops buy autographed sports memorabilia? ›

Pawnbrokers are constantly looking for new items for pawnshop collections. Sports memorabilia items ranging from autographed baseballs to collectible cards and even jerseys seem to be always in demand. So, pawn shops value these sports treasures too.

Is there a market for sports memorabilia? ›

“It's really outpaced almost every major index, whether it be real estate or financial markets.” According to a recent Market Decipher report, the sports memorabilia and trading card industry will reach $35 billion this year and could soar to nearly $230 billion by 2032.

Can you make money selling sports memorabilia? ›

Not only do sports fans buy them, their family and friends also purchase sports memorabilia as gifts. Selling sports collectibles can be quite profitable, especially if you're able to get your hands on a very rare or valuable piece and resell it at a significant markup.

What's hot in collectibles now? ›

Trending Collectibles in 2023
  • 4.1 Contemporary Art.
  • 4.2 Sports Memorabilia.
  • 4.3 Comic Books.
  • 4.4 Toys and Action Figures.
  • 4.5 Music Memorabilia.
  • 4.6 Trading Cards.
  • 4.7 NFTs.
  • 4.8 Handbags.
Dec 22, 2022

What are the most valuable collectibles today? ›

Most Valuable Types of Collections in the World
  • Thoroughbred Horses. ...
  • Jewelry and Gems. ...
  • Stamps. ...
  • Fabergé Eggs. ...
  • Classic and Exotic Cars. ...
  • Fine Wines. ...
  • Chinese Porcelain. ...
  • Timepieces.

What are the most reputable sports memorabilia sites? ›

Fanatics Authentic is your number one source for authentic and licensed sports memorabilia and collectibles! Fanatics Authentic is fully licensed by all the major sports leagues, Player Associations and Universities and delivers a 100% genuine product offering.

What does loa mean for autographs? ›

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.

Can you sell autographs without authentication? ›

Nothing is more important when it comes to selling an autograph than who it is certified by. To get the true top dollar of what your signed item may be worth, you need to get it certified by a nationally recognized authentication company like PSA/DNA or James Spence Authentication (JSA).

How much is my autographed sports memorabilia worth? ›

“The average price of autographed sports memorabilia ranges varies greatly,” says Altman. “Lower-end autographed items can sell for as low as $5, where high-end items can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.” “The retail range from dealers is $25 to $2,500 for autographs from the past 40 years.

How do you verify authenticity of sports memorabilia? ›

To determine if your sports memorabilia is genuine, you'll need to get a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from an autograph authentication company. This document guarantees that the item is real.

Is there a market for autographs? ›

Autographs are big business and can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. How much a particular autograph is worth usually depends upon a couple of factors: the popularity or notoriety of the person in question and rarity. The more popular or notorious a person is, the more valuable the autograph.

Are autographs worth more after death? ›

The value of a person's signature jumps massively in the immediate aftermath of their death and, depending on their long-term legacy, may fall again once the world has moved on or continue increasing. For instance, the best-performing signature of 2018 was Stephen Hawking.

What is the oldest known autograph? ›

What might be considered the oldest "autograph" is a Sumerian clay table from about 3100 BC which includes the name of the scribe Gar.Ama. No ancient written autographs have been found, and the earliest one known for a major historical figure is that of El Cid from 1098.

Is there an app to scan sports cards for value? ›

CollX lets you scan the front and back of a card to reveal its value instantly. It works with all kinds of cards: baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer and wrestling sports cards. It also scans Pokémon, Magic, and Yu-Gi-Oh cards, too.

Where is the best place to sell my sports memorabilia? ›

Currently, eBay is perhaps the best option for selling sports memorabilia online. eBay is an online marketplace with millions of users who check products daily, including sports memorabilia experts and those willing to buy your products. As an online marketplace, eBay has existed since 1995.

Who is the best authenticator for sports memorabilia? ›

PSA is the largest and most trusted autograph authentication service in the world. With over 35 million collectibles certified, PSA authenticates a vast array of signatures, ranging from sports to history and entertainment.

What Michael Jordan cards are worth money? ›

Michael Jordan Cards: The Most Expensive of All Time
  • Jason Koeppel // ONE37pm.
  • 1997-98 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Game Jerseys Autograph /23 BGS 8/Auto 8: $2,700,000. ...
  • 2006-07 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection All NBA Access Triple Logoman Michael Jordan/LeBron James/Kobe Bryant (1/1): $1,680,000.
Nov 10, 2022

What is the most expensive baseball card from the 90s? ›

1993 SP FOIL Derek Jeter

With only 21 Grade 10's in circulation, this Derek Jeter rookie card is the most valuable baseball card of the 80's and 90's. As you read before, Jeter is one of the greatest to ever live and this card fetched a price that showed it.

Are baseball cards from the 80s worth anything? ›

Card values tanked and many collectors now refer to that part of the hobby as the "junk era." So, it might be shocking to find that some baseball cards from the 1980s can be worth five and six figures... You see, not every card fell victim to overproduction.

How do I sell my autographed sports memorabilia? ›

Some of the top places to sell sports memorabilia include the following.
  1. Online Auction Sites. Online auction platforms are a great way to sell sports memorabilia. ...
  2. Sports Memorabilia Auction Houses. ...
  3. Sports Memorabilia Forum. ...
  4. Online Sports Memorabilia Collectors. ...
  5. Local Dealer Shops.
Apr 29, 2022

How do I get rid of sports memorabilia? ›

Some trophy shops may take them as well (if not to reuse they would at least be able to recycle the metal and wood appropriately) Thrift shops like Salvation Army, Value Village, and Goodwill take them and seem to sell them. You could also list them for free on Freecycle, Craigslist, or Kijiji.

Is signed sports memorabilia a good investment? ›

Its Value is Infinite

If you have the right player's memorabilia, then sports memorabilia can be a great investment. A rare, mint-condition player's card could sell for well over $1 million dollars. There's so much nuance that goes into the potential appreciation of a piece of sports memorabilia.

Where can I authenticate sports memorabilia? ›

One of the most reliable companies is Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), which has been authenticating sports memorabilia since 1991. Their process involves a team of experts who examine the item and compare it to the company's database of over 35 million authenticated items.

How do I authenticate signed memorabilia? ›

How we authenticate an autograph
  1. Always research the example under ultra-violet light, microscope and magnifying glass. ...
  2. Talk to the seller and find out any known history or provenance that comes with the piece.
  3. Date the item to within the signer's lifetime.
  4. Ensure that the paper, ink and method are typical of the date.

How do I authenticate signed sports memorabilia? ›

Quite simply, the only way to ensure that the autographs in your collection are authentic is to acquire them in person. This process includes handing the item to the athlete, watching them sign it, and having the athlete hand the item back to you.

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