Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)—two of the most trusted names in third-party autograph authentication—have both adopted paperless processes for their certification of autographs. This modern approach eliminates the issuance of traditional physical Certificate of Authenticity (COA) cards, streamlining verification while maintaining the highest standards of security and accessibility.
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA)
In October 2023, PSA announced via their official X account (@PSAcard) that, effective that month, they would no longer include basic physical COA cards with authenticated items. The tamper-evident PSA Autograph sticker continues to be applied to verified pieces, featuring a unique certification number for identification. Collectors are now encouraged to access the full details of authenticity digitally through PSA’s secure online database at psacard.com/cert, where entering the certification number displays comprehensive verification information.
This shift supports a transition toward paperless authentication, reducing the need for collectors to manage and store multiple physical cards while ensuring reliable, instant access to certification records.
Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)
BAS has similarly discontinued the issuance of standard COA cards, beginning with specific certification number sequences (e.g., BF for standard certifications and WJ for witness certifications). Their updated tamper-evident certification sticker now incorporates a QR code alongside the unique certification number. Scanning the QR code with any mobile device camera provides immediate direct access to the item’s digital record in BAS’s online database, displaying all pertinent authenticity details.
As stated in BAS’s official announcement:
“In the past, the certification card served merely to direct the customer where to look up their certification number online. Now that our certification stickers utilize a QR code, the cards are no longer necessary.”
To accommodate collectors who prefer a physical record, BAS offers flexible alternatives:
• Printable digital certificates available directly from the verification webpage.
• Upgraded Letters of Authenticity (LOAs) for eligible items, which include customized details, item-specific notes, a photograph of the authenticated piece, and a live signature from an authentication staff member—printed on secure, foil-watermarked paper.
BAS positions this change as a forward-thinking step to modernize the process, enhance convenience, and meet evolving collector demands through innovative technology.
These updates from PSA and BAS reflect a broader industry trend toward efficient, eco-friendly, and digitally accessible authentication—ensuring collectors can confidently verify the provenance of their memorabilia anytime, anywhere, while relying on industry-leading tamper-evident security features. At Inked Authentics, we fully embrace these advancements and continue to provide items authenticated by these premier services for maximum trust and value.