Real or fake? Find out in seconds.
Most "autograph identifier" apps just give you a score. We teach you what experts actually check, give you a fair value range, and only then point the camera. Buy smarter, sell higher, stop getting scammed.
Three things every collector wants to know
We answer them in the order that matters: is it real, what's it worth, and how do you make sure you're not the next person to get burned.
Is it real?
The twelve signs experts check first. Pen flow, pressure variance, autopen detection, secretarial substitution. Learn it once, apply it forever.
Authentication guide →What's it worth?
Plug in who signed it, what was signed, condition, and authentication state. Get a working range based on real market comparables.
Value calculator →Scan it.
Open the camera, frame the signature. The app compares against a database, flags red flags, and gives you a confidence score on the spot.
Get the app →What experts actually check
The first six. The full breakdown lives on the authentication page.
Natural pen flow
Real signatures show variable speed and pressure. Forgeries show forced, uniform strokes — a tell experts spot first.
Ink pooling at stroke ends
Where a pen pauses or lifts, a tiny bead of ink collects. Forgers often skip this because they're drawing, not signing.
Hesitation marks
Forgers stop mid-stroke to think. Look for tiny stutters, doubled lines, or visible pen lifts where flow should be smooth.
Period-appropriate medium
A pre-1960s autograph in felt pen is automatically suspect — felt-tip didn't exist yet. Same logic across eras and pen technologies.
Autopen identical-twin test
Two signatures from the same signer that overlay perfectly are autopen, not autograph. Real human signatures vary.
Provenance trail
Where did this come from? Who's owned it? An authentic chain of custody beats a perfect-looking signature with no story.
Read before you buy
Per-celebrity authentication guides, comparison content, and practical breakdowns of what experts actually do.
PSA vs JSA vs Beckett: Which Autograph Authenticator Should You Actually Use?
The three major autograph authenticators side by side: who's strongest in what category, how much each charges, how fast they turn around, and how their stamp affects resale price.
How to Spot a Fake Autograph: 12 Red Flags Experts Check First
The exact red flags professional authenticators look for, in the order they look at them. Use this before you buy, before you sell, and before you trust a COA.
How Much Is My Autograph Worth? Real Market Pricing in 2026
Autograph value depends on five things: who signed it, what was signed, condition, authentication, and rarity. Here's the actual pricing logic, with realistic ranges for common signers and formats.
Common questions
How can I tell if an autograph is real?+
Look for natural pen flow with varying pressure, ink pooling at stroke ends, and small natural imperfections — those are signs of a real human signing. Forgeries typically show hesitation marks, uniform pressure, and unusual pen lifts. Compare against multiple known exemplars of that person's signature from the same era. For anything you think is worth real money, send it to PSA, JSA, or Beckett for professional authentication.
What's the difference between PSA, JSA, and Beckett?+
All three are major third-party authenticators. PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the most recognized in sports memorabilia. JSA (James Spence Authentication) is dominant in entertainment and historical autographs. Beckett (BAS) is strong in modern sports cards. Buyers across the board recognize all three, and a certified item from any of them carries a real resale premium versus uncertified.
How much is my autograph worth?+
Value depends on five things: who signed it, what was signed, condition, rarity, and whether it's been authenticated. A signed photo from a current celebrity might be $50 to $300, while a handwritten signed letter from an iconic historical figure can be five or six figures. Use the value calculator on this site for a rough range, and look up recent sold listings on eBay or Heritage Auctions for the specific person and format.
What is an autopen and how do I spot it?+
An autopen is a machine that holds a real pen and replicates a signature exactly. Public figures use them for mass mail. Telltale signs: every signature is identical when overlaid, lines have unnaturally consistent pressure, and there's often a small "start point" tremor at the beginning. Compare two suspect autographs from the same signer side by side — if they match millimeter for millimeter, it's autopen.
Should I get an autograph authenticated before selling?+
Almost always yes if it's worth more than around $100. Authentication typically costs $20 to $50 per item from PSA/JSA, and the resale premium for a certified piece is usually 30% to 100% over the uncertified version. The exception is items where the cost of authentication exceeds the likely resale gain — common signers, low value items, items in poor condition.
Can an app accurately identify an autograph?+
Image-recognition apps including Autograph Identifier are useful for a first-pass check and for learning what to look for. They can flag obvious fakes and confirm common authentic patterns. They are not a substitute for human authentication at PSA/JSA/Beckett for high-value items. Treat the app as a quick filter, not a final word.
Stop guessing. Start checking.
Free on the App Store. Point the camera at any signature and get a confidence score in seconds.