From year to year, sports memorabilia values can change. This change is based on many factors. However, the one big factor that will help increase this memorabilia ” whether it’s jerseys, cards or other items” is its authentication. Authentication is important before plunking down what can sometimes be large quantities of money for a sports memorabilia item.

Here are some guidelines and tips to help you authentic memorabilia.

-Use an authenticating company. These companies include Professional Sports Authenticators and Global Authentics can help you determine the authenticity of your items.

- Make sure you understand the differences between near-mint and mint condition cards. These differences are very subtle. Review the grading system of cards with resources from organizations such as Baseball Card Buyer. This resource will help you grade the quality of your collection.

- Use historical context during your authentication. Use museum and hall of fame organizations and their research centers. These organizations are a huge wealth of information that can help your authentication process.

- If you are in the purchase mode, obtain prints of genuine memorabilia such as autographs. You can use the Hall of Fame publications, as well as Internet resources to find the genuine articles so you can compare your potential purchase.

-Go to meetings with other collectors. Use a binder with statistics and biographies and try to get as much information as possible to prevent you from inadvertently purchasing a forgery.

- Investigate the seller of the item you are looking to purchase. This type if information is easy to obtain because as collectors know, the sellers must be trustworthy because this hobby is very competitive.

- Feel free to ask for additional photos and information if you are not completely comfortable with the authentication. However, be aware that many online scams use photos from authentic websites.