Most Important thing to prove an item is game used?
 

As the game used market continues to explode, what is the most important thing to prove an item is Game Used by a player? Is a photo match of the item on the field/court best or is it better to have the opinion of an expert who believes due to wear, style, size, etc its game used and writes a LOA to back up his/her opinion?

I am curious to hear the opinion of the game used collectors on this forum. Thanks in advance for your help.

Nothing beats a good photomatch. I mean a solid photomatch, not a loose thread or stray mark, those are too easy to fake. COAs are worthless unless they come from the team, MLB Authentication is good but not perfect.

I think you should have multiple evidence. It's a mistake to rely on just one thing. Even if you have a supposed photo match, the jersey has to be the right size, tagging, etc. Though the latter doesn't necessarily require a LOA.

While photo matches are great, I am sure there will be future instances of photmatching fakery.

Unfortunately the previous post is correct so take his advice Mlb authentication is pretty solid. And with MLB authentication
comes a specific date of use. Photo matching is MUCH easier when you have date of use. why not have both. peace of mind and easier to sell if things change.

J

Once, I bought a fingerprint kit and tried to lift Mickey's prints from a score book he signed for a friend of mine. It failed, but I thought it was a good idea...

It is kind of a two sided question. In general, or for personal edification, nothing beats a photo match. Say you've had a uniform in a closet for three decades, and you begin trying to authenticate it, having a true photo match hits it out of the park. It's real!! But if the uniform is something that's already out there, you would have to be much more careful in evaluating it, because supposed photo matches can either be easily photoshopped or are just to thin to be believed.

Thanks for all of the great opinions. I truly appreciate the knowledgeable collectors thoughts on here.