Autographed card collectors and dealers have a reason to celebrate as CGC Cards™ and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®) come together to offer a streamlined experience for submitting autographed cards for authentication and grading. This partnership covers a wide range of cards, including trading card games (TCGs), sports cards, and non-sports cards.
With the imminent National Sports Card Convention approaching from July 24-28, Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) announced the launch of the integrated CGC Cards and JSA service starting July 15, 2024. This collaboration now allows collectors to submit autographed cards for JSA authentication and CGC Cards grading and encapsulation all in one smooth process.
Building on the success of the CGC x JSA certification for comics introduced in May, this new service offering follows CCG’s acquisition of JSA earlier this year to expand its autograph authentication services. Future plans include extending this combined authentication and grading service to magazines, pulps, and concert posters.
Just in time for the highly anticipated card collecting event of the year, CGC x JSA certification services for cards will be available at The National. Alongside accepting regular submissions at the convention and through mail, CGC Cards will provide comprehensive on-site services, allowing collectors and dealers to have their cards authenticated, graded, and encapsulated on the spot.
CGC, known for pioneering witnessed signature authentication with its CGC Signature Series for comics since 2001, is gearing up for the full launch of CGC Signature Series for cards. This expansion will offer autograph collectors a wide array of services by combining the expertise of CGC and JSA in the field.
Founded in 2005 by James Spence, Jr., JSA has established itself as a top-tier autograph authentication service, boasting the world’s largest autograph database with nearly 1 million images. Leveraging this extensive resource and cutting-edge technology, JSA ensures precise and accurate authentication for autographed cards.
Autographed cards certified by both CGC and JSA will sport a distinctive CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label. This label prominently features both brand logos, highlighting the “Authentic Autograph” designation in yellow—a color traditionally used by CGC to denote genuine signatures. Upon request, cards can also receive autograph grading, with the grade prominently displayed on the label alongside the card’s grade and description. Additionally, cards enclosed with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label will include CGC Cards Grader Notes, offering detailed information about the signers.
For premium-grade cards, CGC Cards offers the prestigious gold CGC x JSA Pristine 10 label, exclusively reserved for cards achieving a CGC Pristine 10 grade.
Steven R. Eichenbaum, CEO of CCG, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “2024 has been a monumental year for CCG, with the highlight being the integration of our top-notch grading services with JSA’s expert autograph authentication services.” James J. Spence, Jr., President of JSA, expressed his excitement, saying, “Launching combined services for cards at The National is a thrilling moment. This is something collectors have been eagerly anticipating, and I am thrilled to deliver it today.”
For detailed instructions on how to submit cards for CGC x JSA certification, collectors can visit the CGC Cards website. Submissions can be made through the online submission form, where collectors can select “JSA Autograph Authentication” after choosing their preferred grading tier. Pricing for JSA autograph authentication is tier-based, with additional CGC Cards grading fees applicable.
CGC and JSA are dedicated to offering collectors the finest services, ensuring each submission receives meticulous attention and expertise. This new collaborative offering represents a significant leap in the collectibles industry, promising to elevate the collecting experience for enthusiasts worldwide.
