If you're buying autographed sports memorabilia, you'll likely encounter the terms Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and Letter of Authenticity (LOA).

Although both are used in sports memorabilia autograph authentication, they serve different purposes and are typically used for different types of signed collectibles.

Understanding the difference can help you make better buying decisions and avoid confusion when purchasing authenticated memorabilia.

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What Is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)?

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a document issued by an authentication company stating that an autograph has been examined or witnessed and entered into the company's authentication database.

Today's trusted authentication companies—including Beckett Authentication Services, JSA, and PSA—use unique authentication numbers that match the hologram attached directly to your memorabilia.

Rather than relying solely on a printed certificate, collectors can verify the authentication online using the matching certification number.

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How Does a Certificate of Authenticity Work?

Modern Certificates of Authenticity are much simpler than they were years ago.

Most contain:

• A unique authentication number
• The authentication company's branding
• Instructions for verifying the certification online

The same authentication number appears on the hologram attached directly to the signed memorabilia.

Those matching numbers permanently connect the certificate to that specific autograph.

Older Certificates of Authenticity often listed the athlete's name and item description. While those still exist, most modern authentication companies now rely on their online databases for detailed information.

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Do Witness Autographed Sports Memorabilia Items Receive a COA?

Usually, they do not.

With modern witness autograph authentication, companies such as Beckett, JSA, and PSA generally apply only a witness authentication hologram directly to the memorabilia.

There is typically no separate matching Certificate of Authenticity.

Instead, the hologram itself acts as the authentication record.

Collectors simply scan the QR code or enter the authentication number online to verify the autograph, the athlete, the item, the signing date, and, in some cases, the signing location.

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What Is a Letter of Authenticity (LOA)?

A Letter of Authenticity (LOA) is a much more detailed authentication document.

Rather than being issued for most everyday memorabilia, LOAs are generally reserved for higher-end collectibles where additional documentation provides greater confidence.

Examples include:

• Michael Jordan autographs
• Mickey Mantle autographs
• Babe Ruth autographs
• High-end vintage autographs
• Rare game-used memorabilia

Because these collectibles can be worth thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars, authentication companies often provide much more documentation than a standard COA.

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What Information Is Included on a Letter of Authenticity?

A Letter of Authenticity generally includes:

• A photograph of the exact signed item
• A detailed description of the memorabilia
• A unique authentication number
• The authentication company's opinion regarding authenticity
• The authenticating expert's signature
• A matching authentication sticker or hologram

Including a photograph of the exact item gives collectors additional confidence that the LOA belongs to that specific piece of memorabilia.

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Where Does the Authentication Sticker Go?

When memorabilia receives an LOA, you'll generally receive both:

• The Letter of Authenticity
• A matching authentication sticker

Collectors often have the option of placing the authentication sticker directly on the memorabilia or having it attached to the Letter of Authenticity instead.

Many collectors choose to place the sticker on the item, while others prefer keeping valuable vintage memorabilia free of stickers and attaching the hologram to the LOA.

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Why Are Letters of Authenticity Notarized?

Letters of Authenticity issued by trusted companies such as JSA, PSA, and Beckett are often notarized.

For example, a JSA Letter of Authenticity signed by Jimmy Spence is notarized to verify that Jimmy Spence personally signed the authentication document.

The notarization does not authenticate the athlete's autograph.

Instead, it verifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the Letter of Authenticity itself and confirms that it was executed by the proper representative of the authentication company.

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Always Verify Your Sports Memorabilia Authentication

Whether your memorabilia includes a COA or an LOA, you should always verify the authentication number through the company's online database.

Trusted authentication companies such as:

• Beckett Authentication Services
• PSA/DNA
• James Spence Authentication (JSA)

allow collectors to search authentication numbers online.

If an authentication company doesn't provide an online database—or if the authentication number can't be verified—you should be extremely cautious.

A piece of paper by itself does not make an autograph authentic.

The reputation of the authentication company is what matters.

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Which Is Better for Sports Memorabilia Authentication?

Neither is automatically better.

They simply serve different purposes.

A Certificate of Authenticity is commonly used for standard authenticated memorabilia and relies on matching certification numbers and online verification.

A Letter of Authenticity provides significantly more documentation and is generally reserved for premium sports memorabilia and valuable autographs.

The most important factor isn't whether you receive a COA or an LOA.

It's whether the autograph was authenticated by a trusted company like Beckett, PSA, or JSA.

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Final Thoughts

Both Certificates of Authenticity and Letters of Authenticity play an important role in sports memorabilia autograph authentication.

Modern COAs rely on matching authentication numbers and online databases, while LOAs provide additional documentation, photographs, and expert authentication for higher-value collectibles.

Before purchasing any signed sports memorabilia, verify the authentication number through a trusted company like Beckett, PSA, or JSA. A recognizable name and a searchable online database are far more valuable than a generic certificate from an unknown company.

Related Guides

• What Is Sports Memorabilia Authentication?
• What Is Witness Autograph Authentication?
• PSA vs. Beckett vs. JSA: Which Authentication Company Should You Use?
• How to Verify an Autograph Authentication Number
• Basic Authentication vs. Witness Autograph Authentication