Established November 2009, Pop Culture Authentication Services (PCSA) was born out of the ever-changing and expanding world of media celebrity and their sought-after autographs.
Our approach is designed to remove the possibility of doubt that comes with purchasing an autographed item from a third party. Our statement of purpose is clear:
"There is no higher level of authenticity than that provided by a live witnessed signature."
At PCSA, our original approach is far simpler and far more reliable — we authenticate the item at the time of signing. No concerns regarding technology, no concern over human error, no concerns over high-quality forgeries, no risk to the owner's authenticity.
Most signatures that PCSA authenticates are witnessed at the precise moment of signing. No submission, no database. Absolute certainty.
Each authenticated item receives a unique hologram registration decal matched to a Certificate of Authenticity — traceable through every resale.
For submitted items, only signatures meeting a minimum score of 7 out of 10 on our review process earn PCSA authentication — a higher bar than most in the industry.
The industry is crowded with autographs that may not be authentic. Third-party certification has become an integral part of the transacting of signed items in order to provide buyers and sellers a level of documentation. And the market recognises varied items as well as varied authentication service providers with a spectrum of public awareness, trust, and resultant prices.
The industry has also become crowded with many authenticators, claims, and the advent of mainly technology-driven authentication. At current market conditions, if authentication was still done by hand and by human eyes, it would likely cost many times the prices charged today. Neither human nor technology-driven authentication is perfect.
As a result, most authenticators use technology to authenticate volumes of third-party submissions in order to keep service fees low. While technology can create volume leverage and standardise some processes, technology does not guarantee authenticity either.
However, the market demands authentication post the signing event as well. Beginning in 2021, PCSA expanded its services to include authentication of existing signed collectibles. Our submission form and related services are listed under Services.
We have not changed our position regarding the guaranteed authenticity of an item authenticated at the time of signing. But we recognise those opportunities are a mere fraction of the collectibles market, and we strive to provide collectors with the best opinions available.
Enjoy the collecting experience.