Sports Memorabilia Reselling Guide

Market Categories

Category	Price Range	Key Factors
Autographs	$20-$50,000+	Player, item signed, authentication
Game-Used/Worn	$100-$500,000+	Player, significance, provenance
Vintage Items	$50-$100,000+	Age, rarity, condition
Modern Collectibles	$20-$5,000	Limited editions, player popularity
Trading Cards	$1-$5,000,000+	See our Trading Cards Guide

Autographs

What Affects Value

The Player: HOFers, legends, current superstars command premiums
Item Signed: Premium items (jersey, bat, helmet) > photos > cards > index cards
Signature Quality: Bold, clean sigs worth more than faded or rushed
Inscription: "HOF 20XX" or stats can add 10-50% value
Authentication: PSA/DNA, JSA, Beckett BAS = required for serious sales
Deceased Players: Supply fixed forever, prices often rise

Authentication Companies

PSA/DNA: Most recognized, gold standard for autos
JSA (James Spence): Highly respected, strong for vintage
Beckett Authentication (BAS): Trusted, good for cards/photos
UpperDeck Authenticated (UDA): Direct from player signings

⚠️ Forgery Alert: 50%+ of unauth'd autographs on the market are fake. NEVER buy expensive autographs without authentication. The $50 authentication fee protects a $500+ investment.

Game-Used & Game-Worn

Types of Game-Used Items

Game-Worn Jersey: Actually worn in a game - highest value
Team-Issued Jersey: Made for player but may not be worn - lower value
Game-Used Bat: Used in actual games - check for use marks
Game-Used Ball: From specific games/moments
Equipment: Gloves, cleats, helmets, pads

Provenance Matters

Team LOA: Letter of authenticity from the team
Photo Matching: Photos showing item in game use
MLB/NFL Hologram: League authentication programs
Player/Agent COA: Direct from source
Auction House Provenance: Heritage, Goldin, etc.

💡 Photo Matching: Serious collectors use high-res game photos to match jersey details (stitching, stains, damage) to items. Photo-matched items can be worth 2-5x more.

Where to Source

Estate Sales: Often underpriced, check provenance carefully
Garage Sales: Rare finds, usually common items
Auctions: Goldin, Heritage, Lelands, Hunt Auctions
eBay: Wide selection, buyer protections, fees ~13%
Card Shows: Sports memorabilia dealers, network
Player Signings: Get items signed directly
Team Sales: Game-used equipment sales

Where to Sell

Platform	Fees	Best For
eBay	~13%	Most items, large audience
Goldin Auctions	15-20%	High-end, $1,000+
Heritage Auctions	20%+	Premium vintage items
COMC	Variable	Cards/small items, consignment
Facebook Groups	0%	Direct sales, sport-specific
Card Shows	Table fee	Volume, networking

Red Flags

Price too good: $50 "authenticated" Michael Jordan jersey = fake
No authentication: "Trust me" isn't authentication
COA from unknown company: Many fake auth companies exist
Seller refuses inspection: Legit sellers welcome scrutiny
Inconsistent story: Provenance doesn't add up
Mass-produced look: Real game items show use

What's Hot

Current Superstars: Ohtani, Mahomes, Curry, Messi
Rookie Items: Autographs from rookie year
Championship Gear: Super Bowl, World Series items
Vintage Pre-War: 1920s-1940s items appreciating
Deceased HOFers: Fixed supply, increasing demand