What's It Worth: Sports Memorabilia

There is no absolute way to find out how much an autograph is worth

. Searching the Internet will give you literally thousands of different websites that will each offer their own price, and visiting sports collectible stores will offer more of the same skewed values. There are many different variables that come into play when determining the true worth of memorabilia. Some of these include:

Where was it obtained? If you went to a baseball game and got Albert Pujols to sign your baseball mitt, it probably won't be worth as much as a legitimate sports memorabilia dealer who had Pujols come in for an in-store signing. As thrilling as it is to get an autograph on your own while at the stadium, there is little that can be done to prove the signature is real.

Is there a certificate of authenticity (COA)? Certificates of authenticity are given out by reputable companies who witness each and every signature. A COA from Steiner Sports, perhaps the biggest player in the sports memorabilia industry, will ensure that an item is worth maximum value. Without a COA from a legitimate company, there is no way to prove that the autograph is legitimate.

How old is it? Like a fine wine, sports memorabilia gets better with age. Autographs from legendary players will bring in a higher price than those still playing. If a player is inducted into the Hall of Fame, this will skyrocket the value. Also, as cynical as it may sound, a player's death will also increase the value of his or her autograph.

Through it all, there is really only one way to determine the value of sports memorabilia: Put it up for sale, and find out what people will be willing to pay for it. If you're looking to sell Ravens merchandise, than a Baltimore football fan will most likely want to spend top dollar. At the same time, a New York baseball fan would probably refuse to open his wallet for a Ray Lewis signature, no matter what the price is. The true worth of sports memorabilia is determined by how meaningful it is to you and what price you will need to be offered in order to part with it.

by: Michael Heckner

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