- collectors
- shops
Card authentication opinions
What we checked, what we found and what we conclude, with photos. An opinion, never a guarantee.An authentication opinion tells you what we checked, what we found and what we conclude (consistent with genuine, not consistent, or inconclusive), with photographs at every step. It is a professional opinion, not a certificate, and we say so on every sheet.
Flat fee per item, quoted in advance
Who it is for
Built for the people who need the answer in writing
- Collectors who want to know before they buy, sell or insure
- Buyers who want a second opinion on a listing before paying
- Shops that want a documented method behind what they sell
In practice
Authentication in practice
An authentication opinion suits collectors who want to know before they buy, sell or insure a card, buyers weighing a listing before they pay, and shops that want a documented method behind what they sell. It is most useful before money changes hands, while a second opinion can still change the decision.
The fee is flat per card, quoted in writing before any work begins, and a pre-purchase second opinion from a listing is also flat per card. What changes the scope is whether the card is in hand or photo-only, since photographs limit which checks can be completed. The fee never depends on the conclusion.
A typical example: a buyer sends a link to a high-value holo with the seller's photos. We run the checks the images allow, say which ones could not be done from photos, and give an opinion with that limit written on the sheet. It is a professional opinion, not a guarantee, and not a certificate of authenticity.
What we check
Print pattern and rosette under magnification, font and text layout against a reference, colour and saturation, layering and card stock, weight and thickness, light test, and holographic pattern where it applies. Every check is photographed and named on the sheet.
How it works
How authentication runs
- Send the card, or a listing link with the seller's photos, and say what you need to know.
- We send a written scope with the flat fee per card; photo-only reviews state their limits up front.
- We run and photograph each check: print pattern, font and layout, colour, stock, weight and thickness, light test and holo pattern where it applies.
- You receive an opinion sheet (consistent with genuine, not consistent, or inconclusive) with every check named.
Fees
Flat or hourly, quoted before work begins
| Service | Unit | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authentication opinion (raw card) | per card | Custom quoteFlat fee | Documented method, photographs |
| Pre-purchase second opinion | per card | Custom quoteFlat fee | Remote or in person |
Per-card flat fees. An opinion is delivered with the method used and photographs.
Questions
Is this a certificate of authenticity?
No. It is a written opinion with the method and photographs. A certificate implies a guarantee we cannot give; a documented opinion is what a buyer, seller or insurer can actually evaluate.
What if you are not sure?
We say so. "Inconclusive" is a legitimate finding, and the sheet explains which check could not be completed and why.
Can I use the opinion in a dispute with a seller or a platform?
You can share it. Platforms and sellers decide for themselves what weight to give it; the photographs and method are what make it useful.
Do you buy cards you authenticate?
Never. The practice holds no interest in any card it evaluates.
More in Sleeve Notes
- What is an authentication opinion?
- Is an authentication opinion a certificate of authenticity?
- How do you check if a card is real?
- What if you can't tell whether a card is real?
- Can you authenticate a card from photos?
- Do you authenticate graded slabs?
- How are authentication opinions priced?
- What fakes do you see most often?
Get in touch
Ready when you are
Message with what you have and what it is for. A written scope and quote follow by email before any work.