Signed. Sealed. Delivered. CGC and JSA Now Offering Combined Services for Comics!

The Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) is thrilled to announce that Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), the world’s most trusted pop culture grading service, and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®), the world leader in autograph authentication, are now offering combined services for comic books. As of May 7, 2024, collectors can submit autographed comics for authentication by JSA and grading and encapsulation by CGC in one seamless solution.

Combined autograph authentication and grading services for comics are the first of many planned upgrades following the acquisition of JSA by CCG. Next up, CGC and JSA will offer combined services for trading card games (TCGs), sports cards and non-sports cards, with magazines, pulps and concert posters also in the works. Announcements will be made when more combined autograph authentication and grading services become available.

CGC pioneered witnessed signature authentication when it introduced CGC Signature Series in 2001, but it has never offered full authentication and grading for collectibles with unwitnessed autographs — until now. The combination of CGC and JSA services is the answer to the countless collectors and dealers who have asked to have their autographed collectibles authenticated and then graded and encapsulated.

Founded in 2005 by James Spence, Jr., JSA is recognized worldwide as the premier autograph authenticator for all types of collectibles. In the last two decades, JSA has certified millions of autographs and in the process has built the world’s largest autograph database of nearly 1 million images encompassing virtually every known person. JSA uses this extraordinary database alongside deep expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to maintain unparalleled accuracy in autograph authentication.

Introducing the new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label

Autographed comics certified by CGC and JSA will be encapsulated with the bold, new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label, which is harmonious with — yet distinct from — the iconic CGC Signature Series yellow label. Now, collectors who submit autographed comics for either CGC grading or CGC Signature Series will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label rather than receiving the CGC Qualified green label or the CGC Signature Series Qualified green and yellow label — another benefit of CGC x JSA certification.

Check out the infographic and FAQs below for more submission details.

To further coordinate the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label and the CGC Signature Series label, CGC has also refreshed the CGC Signature Series label by adding the CGC Signature Series logo in the center and on the top edge. The refreshed CGC Signature Series label is now being phased in for submissions.

“We are incredibly excited to offer combined CGC and JSA services,” said Matt Nelson, CGC President. “Collectors have been asking us to authenticate autographs for years, but we needed to do it the right way. JSA’s expertise and reputation for autograph authentication were exactly what we needed, making us the instant leader in certification services for autographed comic books.”

“Just as CGC’s customers have been asking for autograph authentication, JSA’s customers have been asking to grade and encapsulate autographed collectibles,” added James J. Spence III, JSA Senior Vice President. “Our combined services are the answer everyone has been waiting for, and the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label perfectly captures the bold moves we’re making together.”

How to submit for CGC x JSA certification

Autograph collectors can now submit comics for CGC x JSA certification using the CGC online submission form. Just select “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service after you select CGC grading or CGC Signature Series as your primary service.

The introductory pricing for JSA autograph authentication is simple: only $25 per autograph, no matter the fair market value of the comic book. (Grading fees are additional.)

If you’d like JSA to also grade the autograph, you can choose “JSA Autograph Grading” for an additional $25, and the autograph grade will be included on the back of the CGC x JSA label. You have the option to select autograph grade prescreen, which means an autograph grade will be assigned only if it meets (or exceeds) your specified minimum autograph grade. (Note: JSA autograph grading is available only for comics with two or fewer autographs.) For a complete list of CGC Comics services and fees, go here.

All you need is a free account to submit, but paid members receive discounts on CGC x JSA certification — Associate and Premium members save 10%, and Elite members save 20%. For general information about how to submit to CGC Comics, go here, and read the FAQs below for everything you need to know about submitting for CGC x JSA certification.

Ready to join CGC or upgrade your account? Select your membership level here. If you have questions about CGC x JSA certification services, please contact CGC Customer Service at 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310) or Service@CGCcomics.com.

FAQs

What types of collectibles can I submit today for combined CGC and JSA certification?

Beginning May 7, 2024, you can submit autographed comic books for combined CGC and JSA certification. When filling out the CGC online submission form, select “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service after selecting your primary grading services.

When can I submit my autographed cards for combined CGC and JSA certification?

Combined CGC and JSA certification services for trading card games (TCGs), sports cards and non-sports cards are currently in development, and will be among the next CGC x JSA offerings. Services and pricing for cards will be announced in the coming months.

When can I submit my autographed magazines for combined CGC and JSA certification?

Combined CGC and JSA certification services for magazines as well as pulps and concert posters are currently in development, and will be among the next CGC x JSA offerings. Services and pricing for magazines, pulps and concert posters will be announced in the coming months.

Should I send my autographed comics to CGC or JSA?

All autographed comics should be shipped to CGC or submitted to CGC at a show. All other autographed collectibles should be shipped to either JSA’s New Jersey or Florida facility, or submitted to JSA at a show.

Will my autograph(s) be authenticated by CGC or JSA?

All autographs will be authenticated by JSA, using the world’s largest autograph exemplar database of approximately 1 million files, unmatched expertise and state-of-the-art technology.

How much does JSA autograph authentication cost?

Collectors will appreciate the simplified approach to pricing for JSA autograph authentication. The cost is just $25 per autograph, regardless of the fair market value of the comic. That means full CGC x JSA certification — autograph authentication, grading and encapsulation — starts at $50 per comic. Paid members will pay less thanks to discounts on combined JSA and CGC certification services (see the next FAQ). For a complete list of CGC Comics services and fees, go here.

Will my CGC paid member benefits apply to JSA services?

CGC Associate and Premium members will receive a 10% discount on combined JSA authentication and CGC grading, and CGC Elite members will receive a 20% discount on combined JSA authentication and CGC grading. These discounts do not apply to JSA-only services, however, and other exclusions apply. For more details and to select a membership tier, go here.

Can I use my CGC membership credit toward combined CGC and JSA services?

Yes. The $150 credit that comes with a CGC Premium or Elite membership can be applied toward CGC x JSA certification. Please note that CGC credits cannot be applied toward JSA-only services. For more details and to select a membership tier, go here.

Can I get my autograph(s) graded?

Yes. If you would like your autograph(s) to be graded by JSA, select the “JSA Autograph Grading” option when filling out the CGC online submission form. The fee is $25 per comic book, with discounts available for paid members. Only comics with two or fewer autographs are eligible to receive an autograph grade. (For comics with two autographs, the autograph grade will reflect the combined grade of both autographs.) The autograph grade will be printed on the back of the CGC x JSA label.

There is also a prescreen option for autograph grades. If the autograph meets or exceeds your minimum grade, your autograph grade will be printed on the CGC x JSA label; if it does not, the autograph grading fee will be refunded less a $9 reject fee. Please note that the full JSA autograph authentication fees will still apply. For a complete list of CGC Comics services and fees, go here.

Note: Autograph grading is NOT available for submissions of comics with witnessed signatures.

Why is there a two-autograph maximum for autograph grading?

When autograph grading is selected, the comic receives a single autograph grade. Attempting to blend the autograph grade across three or more autographs could add ambiguity to the grade.

What label will my autographed comic receive?

Comics submitted for CGC x JSA certification may receive the following labels:

• If your autograph is determined to be genuine by JSA, your comic will receive the bold, new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label.
• If your autograph was witnessed by CGC (or JSA), your comic will receive the iconic CGC Signature Series label, unless your comic also has an unwitnessed autograph.
• If your comic has both witnessed and unwitnessed autographs — and they are all genuine — your comic will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label.
• If your autograph is not genuine or unverifiable, your comic will usually receive the CGC Universal blue label with text indicating the not genuine or unverifiable autograph.

Note: All comics will receive grader notes describing the outcome of JSA’s evaluation. Grader notes are available for free by entering a comic’s CGC certification number at CGCcomics.com. For more information about CGC labels, go here.

Will CGC offer custom CGC x JSA labels?

Yes. We have plans for custom CGC x JSA labels in the future.

What if my autograph was previously witnessed by JSA?

If your autograph was witnessed by CGC or JSA (as part of the JSA Witness Protection Program (WPP)), your comic will receive the CGC Signature Series label, unless your comic also has an unwitnessed autograph. If your comic has both witnessed and unwitnessed autographs — and they are all genuine — your comic will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label.

If your autographed collectible has a JSA WPP sticker on it, you should select “CGC Grading” as your submission type and “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service when filling out the CGC online submission form. JSA autograph authentication fees still apply because JSA must reverify the authenticity of the autograph and JSA WPP sticker. If the autograph and JSA WPP sticker are genuine, your comic will be automatically encapsulated with the CGC Signature Series label, which will identify the signer’s name and the date signed. This information, along with a notation that the signature was witnessed by JSA, will also be displayed in the grader notes on the CGC website.

Note: Witnessed autographs (by CGC or JSA) are NOT eligible for autograph grading.

Can I resubmit comics with a CGC Qualified green label for JSA autograph authentication?

Yes. Autographed comics with a CGC Qualified green label are eligible for CGC x JSA certification. Submit these books under an applicable grading tier and select “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service. JSA will determine if the autograph is genuine, and CGC will regrade and encapsulate the comic.

If the autograph is authentic, the comic will be encapsulated with the new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label. If the autograph is not genuine (or unverifiable), the comic will typically be encapsulated with the CGC Universal blue label, and the label and grader notes will indicate that the autograph is not authentic (or unverifiable). Fees apply regardless of the authentication outcome unless the autograph is deemed to be unverifiable, in which case the JSA autograph authentication fees will be refunded. For a complete list of CGC Comics services and fees, go here.

Can I submit autographed comics that have already been authenticated by JSA for CGC grading and encapsulation?

Yes. You can now submit comics with JSA-authenticated autographs for CGC grading and encapsulation. Simply select an applicable grading tier and choose “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service. JSA authentication and CGC grading fees apply for all resubmissions because JSA will reauthenticate the autograph and CGC will regrade the comic. To provide an extra layer of scrutiny, comics with autographs that were witnessed by JSA must also be submitted for autograph authentication.

Can I submit an autographed comic for CGC Signature Series?

Yes. If the autograph is authentic, the comic will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label. If the autograph is not authentic or unverifiable, the comic (which will now have a CGC-witnessed autograph) will receive the CGC Signature Series label with the label and grader notes identifying the not genuine or unverifiable autograph.

Note: Autograph grading is NOT available for CGC Signature Series submissions of books with witnessed signatures and unwitnessed autographs.

What if my autographed comic has a sketch or inscription on it as well?

In some instances, an autographed collectible may also include a sketch. If the autograph and sketch are both deemed authentic by CGC and JSA, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label, and “sketch on cover” will be noted. If the sketch is deemed inconclusive and the autograph is deemed authentic, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label, and “sketch on cover” will be noted. If the sketch is deemed not genuine, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC Universal blue label, regardless of whether the autograph is authentic, and “writing on cover” will be noted.

Autographed collectibles may also include an inscription, such as a date, nickname or personalized message. If the inscription is deemed authentic, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label with no additional notes. If the inscription is deemed inconclusive, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label with no additional notes. If the inscription is deemed not genuine, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC Universal blue label, regardless of whether the autograph is authentic, and “writing on cover” will be noted.

If a collectible’s sketch or inscription is deemed not genuine, it may be downgraded due to the writing.

Can I submit autographed comics certified by CBCS for CrossOver service?

Yes. CBCS-certified autographed comics are eligible for CGC x JSA certification. JSA will authenticate the signature and, if the signature is determined to be authentic, CGC will grade and encapsulate the comic with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label. CBCS-certified comics are NOT guaranteed to receive the same grade with CGC.

What is happening to the CGC Qualified green label?

Autographed comics will no longer be encapsulated with the CGC Qualified green label or CGC Signature Series Qualified green and yellow label. Instead, comics with not genuine or unverifiable autographs will be encapsulated with the CGC Universal blue label (the label and grader notes will identify the not genuine or unverifiable autograph) or the CGC Signature Series label (the label and grader notes will identify the not genuine or unverifiable autograph).

Please note that the CGC Qualified green label will still be used for certain other qualifying factors, such as when a sketch will negatively impact the overall grade of a comic (see above).

Can I opt out of JSA autograph authentication and receive the CGC Qualified green label instead?

If the autograph is on the cover of the comic, it must be submitted for JSA autograph authentication. The autograph will be authenticated by JSA and then seamlessly transferred to CGC for grading and encapsulation. If you do not select JSA autograph authentication, this service will automatically be added and the submitter will be responsible for appliable fees.

If the autograph is on the inside of the comic, you may choose whether to have it authenticated by JSA.

My submission to CGC Signature Series is at CGC now. Will it receive the refreshed CGC Signature Series label?

If your comic has not yet been encapsulated and was not submitted for a custom label, it will receive the refreshed CGC Signature Series label. Custom labels will be phased in over time.

Note: There is no need to contact Customer Service regarding use of the refreshed CGC Signature Series label. It will be used by default whenever applicable.

My autographed comic is at CGC now. Will it receive the new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label?

For any autographed comics that are currently at CGC, Customer Service will contact submitters to see if they want to add JSA autograph authentication to their submissions. If the service is declined, the comic will be encapsulated with the CGC Qualified Green label or CGC Signature Series Qualified green and yellow label. If the service is added, the autograph will be evaluated by JSA and encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label if the autograph is genuine.

Can I submit to JSA at CGC’s booth at shows?

CGC is now accepting autographed comics at its show booths for combined CGC and JSA certification. Submissions for JSA-only services should still be made at JSA’s booth. Soon, CGC and JSA will have a more fully integrated show presence.

Can I submit to CGC at JSA’s booth at shows?

Not yet. Plans for a combined show presence are in the works and will be announced in the coming months.

Will JSA’s show schedule change?

There are no plans to change JSA’s show attendance schedule.

Can I submit my comic for JSA autograph authentication only?

Autographed comics must be submitted for combined CGC and JSA certification services. The autograph on the comic will be authenticated by JSA and then seamlessly transferred to CGC for grading and encapsulation.

Will CGC ship my submission to JSA for autograph authentication?

All JSA autograph authentication will occur while the comic is at CGC’s facilities. Comics are not expected to be shipped from CGC to JSA.

Are CCG’s international offices now offering JSA services?

In addition to CGC’s headquarters in Sarasota, FL, CCG’s office in London, UK, will accept comics for CGC x JSA certification services.

Look for more details to be announced as CCG and JSA expand their services to other locations and collectible categories.