Definition
A third-party authenticator is an independent business that verifies the authenticity of items submitted to it, without having any buying or selling interest in those items. The major third-party authenticators in memorabilia include PSA/DNA, JSA, BAS (Beckett), SGC, and CGC.
Why it matters
Third-party authenticators provide the buyer-side confidence that lifts realized prices. A dealer's COA on the dealer's own item is structurally weaker than a third-party authenticator's COA.
Example
A signed Jordan basketball is submitted to PSA/DNA, an independent third-party authenticator. PSA/DNA evaluates the signature and issues a hologram-backed COA with an online lookup.
Related terms
- AuthenticationA third party verifying that an item is what the seller claims it is.
- Certificate of AuthenticityA document asserting that an item is authentic — credibility depends entirely on the issuer.
- Letter of AuthenticityA long-form authentication document, typically from a recognized third-party authenticator.