Collectors and dealers are in for a treat as CGC Cards™ and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®) join forces to streamline the process of submitting autographed cards for authentication and grading. This collaboration covers various types of cards, including trading card games (TCGs), sports cards, and non-sports cards, offering a one-stop solution for enthusiasts in the collecting community.
The partnership between CGC Cards and JSA officially commenced on July 15, 2024, ahead of the National Sports Card Convention scheduled from July 24-28. Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) spearheaded this initiative, aiming to provide collectors with a seamless experience when it comes to authenticating and grading autographed cards. The integration of services from CGC Cards and JSA allows collectors to submit their cards for authentication and grading simultaneously, simplifying the overall process.
Building on the success of the CGC x JSA certification for comics launched earlier this year, this new service caters specifically to card collectors. CCG, a renowned collectibles grading service with a vast catalog of nearly 100 million certified items since 1987, acquired JSA to enhance its autograph authentication services. Future plans include expanding this combined authentication and grading service to include magazines, pulps, concert posters, and more.
To coincide with the major card collecting event, The National, CGC x JSA certification services for cards will be available, both at the event and through mail submissions. Additionally, CGC Cards will offer on-site services, enabling collectors and dealers to have their cards authenticated, graded, and encapsulated in real-time at the convention.
CGC’s legacy in witnessed signature authentication dates back to 2001 with the introduction of the CGC Signature Series for comics. Now, with the imminent launch of the CGC Signature Series for cards, autograph collectors can benefit from an extensive range of services that combine the expertise of both CGC and JSA.
Established by James Spence, Jr. in 2005, JSA is a leading autograph authentication service known for its meticulous approach. Leveraging a massive autograph database containing nearly 1 million images, JSA employs cutting-edge technology to ensure accurate authentication, further bolstering the credibility of certified autographed cards.
Autographed cards authenticated by CGC and JSA will feature a unique CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label. This label prominently displays both brand names and showcases the “Authentic Autograph” designation in yellow, a nod to CGC’s tradition of using yellow for genuine signatures. Upon request, cards can also receive autograph grading, with the grade visibly displayed alongside the card’s overall grade and description. Moreover, cards encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label will include CGC Cards Grader Notes, providing in-depth insights about the autograph.
For premium cards, CGC Cards offers the prestigious gold CGC x JSA Pristine 10 label, reserved for cards receiving a perfect CGC Pristine 10 grade.
Steven R. Eichenbaum, CEO of CCG, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, noting how it showcases the combination of top-tier grading services of CCG with JSA’s expert authentication capabilities. James J. Spence, Jr., President of JSA, expressed his excitement about launching combined services for cards at The National, fulfilling a longstanding request from collectors.
To learn more about submitting cards for CGC x JSA certification, collectors can visit the CGC Cards website and utilize the online submission form. By selecting “JSA Autograph Authentication” in conjunction with their desired grading tier, collectors can initiate the submission process. Pricing for JSA autograph authentication is tier-based, with additional CGC Cards grading fees applicable.
CGC and JSA are dedicated to delivering exceptional services to collectors, ensuring that each submission is handled with precision and expertise. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in the collectibles industry, promising to elevate the collecting experience for enthusiasts around the globe.
