Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the world's largest authentication and certification service for sports collectibles, has teamed up with DNA Technologies, Inc. to strike a blow against the piracy and counterfeiting of autographs and other collectibles. PSA/DNA tags each item using state-of-the-art technology to protect your collectibles. Besides the tamper-evident label, serial number, and certificate, PSA/DNA's multi-level security system uses a DNA matrix. PSA/DNA eliminates the problem of counterfeits and forgeries by labeling items in such a way that they can be sold time after time without fear of fraud. Each new buyer can be confident that he or she is spending money on an authentic item.

In the past few years, counterfeiting, forgery, and piracy of high-value collectible products has reached epidemic proportions world-wide. As a result, collectors of autographed sports memorabilia have become increasingly uneasy about their purchases.

How do you know if you're spending your money on an authentic memento of your favorite star or merely a worthless counterfeit?

 

The fact of the matter is that anti-counterfeiting technology has failed to keep pace with the technological skills and inventiveness of these enterprising corporate thieves. In fact, there's been no visible or invisible marker that couldn't be copied or removed. Until now.

How PSA/DNA Certification Helps You

When your autographed items are submitted to PSA/DNA, they are examined by the world's leading autograph experts. After they have been certified by PSA/DNA, you know that the industry's top experts are convinced your autograph is authentic.

Each autograph is examined by at least three of PSA/DNA's autograph experts. After each autograph has been certified, they are DNA "tagged" with a synthetic, invisible trace liquid. A tamper-evident label displaying a serialized certification number is applied and a Certificate of Authenticity is issued.



The PSA/DNA Advantage

     

  • Once applied, the authenticating mark is permanent, non-damaging, non-transferable and nearly impossible to replicate. The chances are 1 in 33 trillion that someone would be able to randomly recreate the exact sequence of the DNA strand that is used for the PSA/DNA tag.

     

  • We have exclusive rights to this DNA, and we keep it in our control at all times. Only we know which batch is applied to which item.

     

  • The clear liquid containing the DNA tag that is applied to your autographed item is invisible and non-damaging.

     

  • The non-transferable, tamper-evident label with the PSA/DNA logo adds value to your autographed memorabilia, and offers you peace of mind about their authenticity.

Benefits for Buyer:

     

  • Confidence - Buyers can be confident that PSA/DNA Certified autographs have been examined for authenticity by the world's leading autograph experts.

     

  • Certified for Life - Because PSA/DNA uses an invisible, permanent DNA marker on each certified collectible, the authenticity is easily verified.

     

  • Verification - The unique certification number can be used to verify the history of any PSA/DNA Certified item simply by calling PSA/DNA Customer Service.

 
PSA/DNA Hall of Fame

In recent months, PSA/DNA has used its system to certify important memorabilia including:

On October 7, 1998, at the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame, PSA/DNA was entrusted with the authentication of the most significant sports item of the decade-the Mark McGwire 70th home run ball, which sold at auction in 1999 for $3.005 million.


 On April 2, 1999, at the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame Museum, PSA/DNA tagged Hall of Famer Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run baseball and bat used to hit it. "I chose PSA/DNA to protect the integrity and secure the authenticity of my 715th home run bat and ball," Aaron said.


In recent months, PSA/DNA has used its system to certify autographs signed by sports stars including:
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  • Elgin Baylor
  • Wilt Chamberlain
  • Joe DiMaggio
  • Tony Dorsett
  • John Elway
  • Jimmie Foxx
  • Andres Galarraga
  • Lou Gehrig
  • Ken Griffey Jr.
  • Reggie Jackson
  • Magic Johnson
  • Deacon Jones
  • Peyton Manning
  • Mickey Mantle
  • Dan Marino
  • Pedro Martinez
  • Eddie Mathews
  • Christy Mathewson
  • Cade McNown
  • Joe Montana
  • Jim Palmer
  • Frank Robinson
  • Babe Ruth
  • Duke Snyder
  • Sammy Sosa
  • Jerry West
     

PSA/DNA has also certified the autographs of famous musicians including:

  • Jerry Lee Lewis
  • Dick Dale
  • Charlie Feathers
In the years to come, if these famous historic souvenirs should ever change hands, the authenticity can quickly and easily be verified by scanning for the DNA tag.