What is a certificate of authenticity?
What a certificate of authenticity (COA) is, what it is for, what it should include and who can issue one for signatures and historical documents.
Contents
A certificate of authenticity (COA) is a document that attests to the authenticity and origin of an item: a painting, a signature, an autograph or a historical document. Its purpose is twofold: to show where the item comes from, and to reassure buyers and collectors that it has been checked by a professional.
Why do you need a certificate of authenticity?
First, it gives any sale a solid footing, because it gives the buyer confidence in the authenticity of what they are acquiring. In a market where forgery is common, it acts as a shield against fraud and protects your valuable items.
The certificate also serves as a detailed record of the transaction between seller and buyer, and as a provenance trail: it documents the history of your signatures and historical documents, which can be decisive for their future valuation.
What should a certificate of authenticity include?
These are the features that a certificate of authenticity usually has:
- Detailed information: the name of the artist or historical figure, the title of the work or document, the year it was created, its size, technique or medium and, where applicable, the edition number.
- Special instructions: any relevant notes on the condition of the document or signature, and on how to handle and preserve it properly.
- Image of the work or document: a high-resolution image of the item or the signature, which makes it easier to file and identify in the future.
- Statement of authenticity: a short, clear statement confirming the authenticity of the item and, if necessary, the rights over it.
A certificate issued by an expert should add two more elements: who signs it and with what qualifications, and what was examined and to what extent (the original or only photographs).
Who can issue a certificate of authenticity?
| Who issues it | When it makes sense |
|---|---|
| The artist or their publisher | Newly created works or limited editions. |
| The seller or dealer | Common, but it is not an independent verification. |
| An independent expert | Signatures, autographs and historical documents whose author can no longer confirm them. |
With historical signatures and documents, the author can no longer vouch for the signature. That is why the value of the certificate depends on the qualifications of whoever examines the item, such as a forensic handwriting examiner, and on whether the certificate can be checked.
What the VS Certificate looks like
The VS Certificate of Authenticity includes all these elements and adds a unique number that any buyer can check in the online verifier. You can choose between the physical + digital certificate, with examination of the original, or the digital-only certificate, based on photographs.
Conclusion
With a certificate of authenticity you protect your historical items, give buyers and collectors confidence, and help preserve the historical and cultural legacy they represent.
Frequently asked questions
What does COA stand for?
Certificate of authenticity.
Is a certificate of authenticity an official document?
No. It is a statement by whoever signs it. Its value depends on their qualifications and independence, and on whether the certificate can be checked.
How much does a certificate of authenticity cost?
The VS Certificate costs from €75 in digital form and from €100 in physical + digital form. See prices.
Would you like to certify a signature?
Send me a few photos and I'll tell you what certification costs. The preliminary assessment (€25) is deducted from the price of the certificate. Physical + digital or digital-only certificate, with a verifiable number.
Juan García Nicolás · Graphologist and forensic handwriting examiner
Trained at Ipsigrap, he personally signs every VS Certificate. Service in English and Spanish. More about me