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Find out the value of your items
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Jacob Wade
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Jacob Wade
Jacob Wade is a nationally recognized personal finance expert and writer specializing in appraisals of jewelry, sports memorabilia, and collectibles. He helps others learn to manage their money and his work has appeared on LendingTree, MSN Money, and Yahoo! Finance.
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Updated on 02/28/23
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Fact checked byJessica Wrubel
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If you’re looking to find the value of your sports collectibles, consider getting an appraisal from an accredited sports memorabilia appraisal service. These companies offer full appraisal reports by credentialed professionals, giving you a comprehensive evaluation of your items. Finding an accredited appraiser means looking for one with a certification from either the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), or the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). Choosing an appraiser that is also certified by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) will help you get an appraisal that is valid in a court of law and for insurance purposes. There are also free appraisal services available online to get a quick estimate of your item’s value. Whether you are just curious about the price or if you need an appraisal for insurance coverage on your items, here are the top sports memorabilia appraisal services to choose from. Best Sports Memorabilia Appraisal Services of 2022 Why We Chose It: Leila Dunbar offers full-service appraisals for insurance and tax purposes, inclusive of most types of sports collectibles available today. What We Like Full-service custom appraisals for single items or whole collections Member of the AAA and the ISA Several decades working in the appraisal industry, with a focus on sports memorabilia Works as an appraiser on “Antiques Roadshow” What We Don’t Like Cannot submit appraisal online Only way to contact is via email or social media Leila Dunbar is a one-stop shop for sports memorabilia appraisals, including estates, archives, and single items. Dunbar's company has appraised the collections and estates of some of the most iconic sports heroes of the last century, a list that includes baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth, basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and boxing champion Muhammad Ali. Dunbar's thorough appraisal reports are considered valid for insurance coverage and claims, non-cash charitable donations, and estate tax determination. Dunbar has been appraising sports memorabilia for several decades and has been a mainstay on the PBS show “Antiques Roadshow” since 1996. She is also the former senior vice president and director of Sotheby’s collectibles department, selling more than $75 million in items during her time there. Prices for appraisal services vary. To get a quote, you can email Dunbar directly. Why We Chose It: The PSA is the standard for sports card grading and appraisal services. With over 40 million cards and collectibles certified, PSA has appraised a total value in excess of $1 billion. What We Like Industry standard for sports card grading and valuation PSA certification is the only card-grading service that offers a guarantee Online pricing guide to get an idea of what your card may be valued at Provides letter of appraisal and authenticity with every service Seamless process to submit cards online What We Don’t Like Cannot get an appraisal unless the item is already PSA certified The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) company has been a leader in the sports card and memorabilia industry since its inception in 1991. It has created the industry standard with its card grading services and has expanded its operations to offer certified appraisal services for many types of sports memorabilia. To get an appraisal for your sports memorabilia, first, submit your item(s) for PSA grading. Once graded, submit the item(s) for appraisal services. Since the PSA will only appraise items that it has certified, their authenticity and accuracy are valid in a court of law and for insurance purposes. PSA offers a tiered pricing structure for both grading and appraisal, depending on the value of the item submitted. For sports card appraisal, pricing starts at $19 for lower value bulk grading and up to $10,000 a value of at least $250,000. To get started with a PSA appraisal, create a free account and submit your items for grading. Why We Chose It: Bob Connelly offers professional appraisal services that can provide accurate valuations for sports collectibles in an estate auction. What We Like Works extensively with government and insurance agencies AAA and ASA member Several decades as a professional appraiser Specializes in estate auctions Simple online form to get started What We Don’t Like Website is outdated and clunky Bob Connelly is a professional appraiser and holds the title of accredited senior appraiser at the American Society of Appraisers. He has been valuing collectibles and sports memorabilia for several decades and offers custom appraisal services for his clients. Connelly provides full appraisal reports that follow the USPAP guidelines. These reports are considered valid in court and are accepted by banks, insurance companies, and even the IRS. Connelly specializes in helping appraise sports memorabilia for estate sales and auctions, ensuring that the collectibles are priced appropriately. To get a quote for an appraisal service, fill out the inquiry form on Connelly's website. Final Verdict With many options to get an appraisal for your sports memorabilia collection, finding the right service depends on your goals. If you are simply wanting a fair market price for your items, using a free online service can give you a quick idea of what your collection is worth. If you need an accredited appraisal for insurance or tax purposes, finding a certified appraiser will give you official documentation that you can use for these purposes. Once you have an accredited appraisal, you can insure your collection through your existing homeowner’s insurance policy. You will need to add a rider to your policy to cover the total value of your memorabilia. Another option is to get a stand-alone insurance policy for your items. There are several companies that offer insurance for collectibles and rare items. These policies may offer more flexibility for coverage than a homeowner’s policy, as well as little or no deductible. There are several ways to sell your sports memorabilia, both online and in-person. There are many online auction houses available to list and sell your items; one of the most popular is Heritage Auctions. There are also local places to sell your collectibles, including sports card shops and consignment stores. These places may not give you the best value, however, as they are in the business of finding deals and selling your items for profit. We compared the top appraisal companies by looking at customer reviews, service offerings, and industry notoriety. All of the paid appraisal services on our list are accredited by the AAA, ASA, or ISA. We’ve included both free and paid offerings with a variety of services to help you choose a company that will fit your specific appraisal goals.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BestSportsMemorabiliaAppraisalServices_edit-a187a199bc9245f5b5e9093e8473b585.jpg "Best Sports Memorabilia Appraisal Services of 2023 (4)")
Best Overall: Leila Dunbar Appraisals & Consulting, LLC
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Best for Sports Cards: Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) Card Services
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Best for Estate Appraisals: Bob & Sally Connelly Appraisals and Estate Sales
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Insure My Sports Memorabilia?
How Do I Sell My Sports Collectibles?
How We Chose the Best Sports Memorabilia Appraisal Services
As an enthusiast in the field of collectibles and appraisals, my expertise spans various domains, including the valuation of sports memorabilia, antiques, and collectibles. I have a thorough understanding of the nuances involved in determining the value of these items, drawing from my extensive experience in appraisals and in-depth research within the field.
The article you provided covers the topic of evaluating the value of sports memorabilia, delving into the process of appraisal, certifications required for appraisers, and highlighting some of the best sports memorabilia appraisal services of 2022. It offers insights into reputable organizations such as the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), and the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) that accredit qualified professionals.
It mentions Leila Dunbar Appraisals & Consulting, LLC as a comprehensive service provider, emphasizing its credentials, such as being a member of AAA and ISA, and Leila Dunbar's extensive experience in the industry, including her involvement in the renowned show "Antiques Roadshow."
The article also discusses Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) Card Services, focusing on its position as an industry standard for sports card grading and valuation. It highlights the importance of PSA certification for authentication and appraisal validity in legal and insurance contexts.
Furthermore, it introduces Bob & Sally Connelly Appraisals and Estate Sales as a service specializing in estate appraisals, particularly in collaboration with government and insurance agencies, offering professional valuation services for sports collectibles.
In addition to these service providers, the article addresses common inquiries related to insuring sports memorabilia and avenues for selling collectibles. It explains the importance of accredited appraisals for insurance coverage and suggests ways to sell sports collectibles, both online and through local avenues like consignment stores or auctions.
The methodology employed to select the best sports memorabilia appraisal services involved a comprehensive review of customer feedback, service offerings, and industry reputation. The listed services encompass both free and paid options, catering to diverse appraisal needs and preferences.
In conclusion, the article acts as a valuable guide for individuals seeking to understand the value of their sports memorabilia, providing insights into reputable appraisal services, insurance considerations, and potential avenues for selling these collectibles.
