CGC Cards Launches CGC Signature Series Show Witnessed Signings!

The Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) has announced that its industry-leading CGC Signature Series witnessed autograph certification service is now available for CGC Cards! With the launch of CGC Signature Series for CGC Cards, collectors of trading card games (TCGs), sports cards and non-sports cards can now have 100% certainty of the authenticity of their autographs because they are witnessed by an authorized CGC representative.

Established in 2001, CGC Signature Series is the premier source for obtaining witnessed autographs from the world's most revered creators, celebrities and athletes. Witnessed, authenticated and graded by CGC, collectors can trust autographed collectibles with the iconic CGC Signature Series yellow label.

The launch of CGC Signature Series for cards starts with Show Witnessed Signings, which will be offered at shows where CGC has a booth and authorized witnesses. Soon, CGC Signature Series for cards will expand to CGC Facilitator Signings — events arranged by CGC Authorized Facilitators — as well as CGC Private Signings — a premium service that enables submitters to send their collectibles directly to CGC, and the CGC Signature Series team handles the entire signing and grading process.

With the National Sports Collectors Convention, San Diego Comic Con and Fanatics Fest all right around the corner, collectors won’t have to wait long to experience the ease and confidence that are the hallmarks of CGC Signature Series. For the latest on upcoming signing opportunities, follow @CGCcards and @CGCsignatureseries on social media.

“Collectors have been eagerly waiting for us to offer CGC Signature Series for cards since the day we launched card grading four years ago,” said Brittany McManus, CGC Signature Series Director. “The wait is finally over, and we could not be more excited to deliver the value of witnessed signings to the card collecting community. We have some amazing signings planned in the coming months so stay tuned!”

The launch of CGC Signature Series for cards is part of CGC’s massive expansion efforts in card and autograph collecting. Earlier this year, CCG acquired James Spence Authentication (JSA), the world’s leading autograph authentication service, and recently unveiled combined CGC x JSA services for autographed comics and cards. While JSA provides expert authentication services for already-autographed items, CGC Signature Series witnesses signings with an unbroken chain of custody from the signer through to grading and encapsulation. Together, these services represent the hobby’s most complete suite of authentication and grading services for autographed collectibles.

Introducing the CGC Signature Series label for cards

Cards submitted for CGC Signature Series will be encapsulated with the iconic CGC Signature Series yellow label that blends seamlessly with both the CGC Signature Series label for comics and the CGC x JSA Autograph Authentication label. CGC Signature Series services for cards include autograph grading on request (see below), with the autograph grade displayed prominently on the front of the label alongside the card’s grade and description. Plus, cards encapsulated with the CGC Signature Series label will receive CGC Cards Grader Notes identifying pertinent details about the signers, available at CGC Cards Verify Certification.

For the best of the best, only CGC Cards offers the lux, gold CGC Signature Series Pristine 10 label, which will be used only for cards that receive a grade of CGC Pristine 10.

Check out the FAQs below for more submission details.

How to submit cards for CGC Signature Series certification

Collectors can now submit cards for CGC Signature Series show witnessed signings using the CGC Cards online submission form. Simply select “CGC Signature Series” as your submission type. Pricing for CGC Signature Series for cards is based on the grading tier you choose and includes card grading fees as well as autograph grading (see below). Signer fees, which vary depending on the signer, are not included in pricing.

CGC Signature Series grading tiers and fees for cards (per card):

All CGC Signature Series fees include card grading fees.

Want to get your signatures graded?

There’s no additional cost for grading witnessed signatures on cards! You can also specify a minimum grade for both the card and the autograph when submitting for CGC Signature Series services. If you specify a card minimum grade and your card meets or exceeds it, it will receive a numeric grade. If your card is below your minimum grade, it will receive an Authentic (AU) designation only.

Similarly, if you specify an autograph minimum grade and your autograph meets or exceeds it, it will receive a numeric grade. If your autograph is below your minimum grade, it will be deemed authentic only.

Please note that only cards with two or fewer autographs are eligible for autograph grading. See the FAQs for detailed submission instructions.

Submit today!

All you need is a free account to submit, and don’t forget about the discounts for paid members! Associate and Premium members save 10%, and Elite members save 20%. For general information about how to submit to CGC Cards, go here, and read the FAQs below for everything you need to know about submitting cards for CGC Signature Series.

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

FAQs

What is the difference between CGC Signature Series and CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph certification?

The CGC Signature Series label is applied to collectibles where all signatures were witnessed under the direct observation of a CGC or JSA representative. The CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label is given to autographed collectibles that have an unwitnessed autograph, and the autograph has been authenticated by JSA’s experts.

Can I submit an already-autographed card to CGC Signature Series?

Yes, already-autographed cards can be submitted for CGC Signature Series. The previous autograph will be authenticated by JSA and the new autograph will be witnessed by a CGC representative. Then, the card will be seamlessly transferred to CGC Cards for grading and encapsulation with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label to acknowledge the previous signature. Both signer names will be included on the label.

What if I witnessed my card getting autographed but CGC did not?

Only cards witnessed by a CGC or JSA representative are eligible for CGC Signature Series. However, submitter-witnessed autographs are eligible for CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph certification.

Are pack-pulled (manufacturer’s certified) autographs eligible for CGC Signature Series?

Pack-pulled autographs are not eligible for CGC Signature Series unless you also get the pack-pulled autograph authenticated by JSA. Please note that cards with both witnessed and unwitnessed autographs will be encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label, assuming the unwitnessed autograph was authenticated by JSA.

How much does CGC Signature Series for cards cost?

Pricing for CGC Signature Series for cards is based on the grading tier selected and does not include signer fees. To give submitters more affordable options for submitting autographed cards, CGC Cards has reintroduced the Standard tier for cards valued at $3,000 or less. Fees are per card, regardless of the number of signatures, and include autograph grading.

• For Bulk submissions (25-card minimum; $500 maximum value), the CGC Signature Series fee is $25 per card.
• For Economy submissions ($1,000 maximum value), the CGC Signature Series fee is $30 per card.
• For Standard submissions ($3,000 maximum value), the CGC Signature Series fee is $45 per card.
• For Express submissions ($10,000 maximum value), the CGC Signature Series fee is $65 per card.
• For WalkThrough submissions (unlimited maximum value), the CGC Signature Series fee is $165 per card.

Additional savings are available for paid members (see the next FAQ).

For a complete list of CGC Cards services and fees, go here.

Will my CGC paid member benefits apply to CGC Signature Series services?

CGC Associate and Premium members receive a 10% discount on CGC Signature Series services, and CGC Elite members receive a 20% discount on CGC Signature Series services. For more details and to select a membership tier, go here.

Can I use my CGC membership credit towards CGC Signature Series services?

Yes. The $150 credit that comes with a CGC Premium or Elite membership can be applied toward CGC Signature Series services. For more details and to select a membership tier, go here.

Can I get my autograph(s) graded?

Yes. There is no additional fee for autograph grading for cards.

You can also specify a minimum autograph grade by selecting “Minimum Autograph Grade” when you enter your card’s details. You have three options:

1. Grade the autograph at “Any grade,” which means the autograph will always get a grade if it is 5 or above. If the grade is below 5, the autograph will receive an Authentic (AU) designation.
2. Designate it as “Authentic only,” which means the autograph will not be graded at all.
3. Specify your minimum autograph grade, which means the autograph will only receive a numeric grade if the grade is at least as high as your minimum.

Only cards with two or fewer autographs are eligible to receive an autograph grade. For cards with two autographs, the autograph grade will reflect the combined grade of both autographs. For a complete list of CGC Cards services and fees, go here.

Note: Comics submitted for CGC Signature Series are not eligible for autograph grading.

Can I specify a minimum grade for my card?

Yes, you can now specify a card minimum grade when submitting for CGC Signature Series. (The card minimum grade option will be rolled out to regular CGC Cards services in the future.)

If you specify a minimum grade and your card meets or exceeds it, it will receive a numeric grade. If your card is below your minimum grade, it will receive an Authentic (AU) designation only. The full grading fees will apply in either case. If you do not choose a minimum card grade, your card will receive a numeric grade.

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

When autograph grading is selected, the card 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 card receive?

Autographed cards submitted for CGC Cards certification may receive the following labels:

• If your unwitnessed autograph is determined to be genuine by JSA, your card will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label.
• If your autograph was witnessed by CGC (or JSA), your card will receive the CGC Signature Series label, unless your card also has an unwitnessed or pack-pulled autograph.
• If your card has both witnessed and unwitnessed autographs — and they are all genuine — your card will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label.
• If your card has both witnessed and pack-pulled autographs — and they are all genuine — your card will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label. Pack-pulled autographs being submitted for CGC Signature Series require JSA authentication.
• If your autograph is pack-pulled (manufacturer’s certified), your card will receive the standard CGC Cards black label (unless you requested JSA autograph authentication).
• If your card receives a Pristine 10 grade, your card will receive a variant of the lux, gold CGC Cards Pristine 10 label.

Note: All cards encapsulated with the CGC Signature Series or CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph labels will receive CGC Grader Notes describing signer details. CGC Grader Notes will soon be available for free by entering a card’s CGC certification number at CGCcards.com.

What happens if I submit an autographed card to CGC Signature Series and CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph, but the autograph is not genuine?

If any autograph already on your card is not genuine, altered or unverifiable, your card will NOT be encapsulated by CGC Cards.

If your autograph is not genuine or altered, the full JSA autograph authentication fees will apply, but the CGC Cards grading fees will be refunded. If your autograph is unverifiable, the JSA autograph authentication fees will be refunded except for a $9 processing fee. The CGC Cards grading fees will also be refunded.

Will CGC offer custom CGC Signature Series labels for cards?

Yes. We have plans for custom CGC Signature Series labels for cards 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 card will receive the CGC Cards Signature Series label, unless your card also has an unwitnessed autograph. If your card has both witnessed and unwitnessed autographs — and they are all genuine — your card will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label.

If your autographed card has a JSA WPP sticker on it, you should select “Grading” as your primary service and “JSA Autograph Authentication” (after choosing your tier) when filling out the CGC Cards 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 card will be automatically encapsulated with the CGC Signature Series label, which will identify the signer’s name. The CGC Grader Notes on the CGC website will identify the signer’s name and the date the signing was witnessed along with a notation that the signature was witnessed by JSA.

Can I submit cards with witnessed autographs for CGC’s CrossOver service?

CGC Cards does not accept witnessed autographs for CGC’s CrossOver service through CGC Signature Series. Only autographs witnessed by a CGC or JSA representative are eligible for CGC Signature Series. However, witnessed autographs may be submitted through CGC’s CrossOver service for CGC x JSA certification. JSA will authenticate the autograph and, if the autograph is determined to be authentic, CGC will grade and encapsulate the card with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label.

What is happening to JSA’s Witness Protection Program (WPP)?

JSA’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) will still apply to collectibles that are not graded by CGC. For witnessed signings in comics and cards, submit to CGC Signature Series.

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

CGC is now accepting autographed cards (and comics) at its show booths for combined CGC and JSA certification. Submissions for JSA-only services should still be made at JSA’s booth.

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.

Can I submit my card for witnessed autograph authentication only?

Cards submitted for witnessed signings must be submitted for CGC Signature Series services. The card with the witnessed autograph will be seamlessly transferred to CGC for grading and encapsulation. However, if you would like, you can now request that CGC designate the card as Authentic (AU) — instead of receiving a numeric grade — when submitting for CGC Signature Series.

Is CGC Cards offering CGC Signature Series services internationally?

Apart from limited services in mainland China, not yet, but we are working on it. Look for more details to be announced as we expand our services to other locations.