Articles | How to Detect Fake Sports Memorabilia

The news that six sports memorabilia dealers were tried for selling fake game-used jerseys to buyers such as trading card companies highlighted the ever-present risk of collectors inadvertently buying bogus memorabilia. Although there are no estimates as to the costs of fake memorabilia to collectors, it can be safely said to be in the millions of dollars given that the size of the American sports memorabilia market is worth some $5 billion annually. And the market is set to grow further as collectors from countries such as China, Russia and India begin investing in collectibles.

The best way to avoid being conned is to learn how to spot fake collectibles. Here are some tips:

Familiarize yourself with the items you intend to bid on. For example, if you are thinking of buying a sports card make sure that the manufacturer did produce such a card. If the sports memorabilia was supposed to have been used in a certain game, research the correct time, date and location to determine if they match up with what the seller claims. If the card is a costume chase card that has a swatch of jersey from a particular athlete, the colors should be the same as the ones his team actually uses.

Look for signs of tampering. For example, a genuine sports card might have its edge shaved to eliminate bad corners that lower the price. Be aware of the true size of the card so that you can compare it to the item you're buying. In the case of jerseys, ask if you can examine the item by hand; bring along a pair of white gloves so you can feel it for material type and weight without dirtying the item. You should also consider investing in tools like a ruler broken down to 1/32th of an inch and a portable electronic magnifier that can magnify with a range of magnifications if you are planning to go seriously into collecting sports memorabilia.

Make sure that the authenticity of the items is confirmed by a reputable professional authenticating company. Recognized authenticators include Professional Sports Authenticator, Beckett Grading Services and Sportscard Guarantee. Keep in mind that a certificate of authenticity is no longer a guarantee that an item is genuine. The memorabilia dealers provided fake COAs to their buyers to reassure them that the jerseys they were selling are genuine.

For signed items, you can avoid buying counterfeits by researching the way your favorite athletes actually sign items or look at genuine autographs.

Conduct your own investigation before you buy from a particular seller. You can go online and do a search for them on collector s message boards and auction sites to see what others have said about them.

Interview the seller about the provenance of the item. The most important things to consider about provenance are how the seller got the item and if their story can be verified by an independent third party. This is why authentication from recognized companies is important in ensuring that the sports memorabilia that you are buying is authentic.