Okay, let’s talk about figuring out the value of an Emmitt Smith autographed football. Had one sitting around for a while, actually, and got curious the other day. Maybe sell it, maybe just know what it’s worth, you know? So, I decided to dig in.
My First Steps
First thing I did, like most folks, was just jump online. Typed “Emmitt Smith signed football value” into the search bar. And wow, prices were all over the map. Some were listed for crazy money, others seemed kinda low. Didn’t really give me a clear picture. Just a bunch of asking prices, and who knows if they actually sell for that.
Getting Serious About It
Realized quick that just looking at random listings wasn’t gonna cut it. Needed to figure out what makes one ball worth more than another. It boils down to a few key things I started checking on mine.
- Proof it’s real: This seemed like the biggest deal. Does it have a sticker or card from a known authenticator? Companies like PSA/DNA, JSA, Beckett kept popping up. If it doesn’t have that, the value takes a big hit ’cause buyers get nervous. Mine had a JSA sticker, so that was a good start. If yours doesn’t, getting it authenticated costs money and time, something to factor in.
- The ball itself: What kind of football is it? An official NFL game ball, like “The Duke”? Or is it one of those cheaper logo balls, or a replica? Official balls tend to be worth more. Also, what shape is it in? Mine was pretty good, held air, leather wasn’t too scuffed. A beat-up ball isn’t gonna fetch top dollar.
- The Signature: How does the autograph look? Is it big and bold, or kinda faded and smudged? Where is it signed? A nice spot on a white panel is better than crammed somewhere dark. Did he add anything extra? Sometimes you see “HOF” or “SB MVP”. Those little extras, inscriptions, can bump the price up. Mine was just the signature, nice and clean though.
Comparing Apples to Apples
Okay, so armed with that info – JSA authenticated, official NFL ball, good condition, clean signature, no inscription – I went back online. This time, I specifically looked at auction sites and places like eBay, but I filtered for sold items. That’s key. What people actually paid, not what sellers are asking.
I searched for Emmitt Smith signed footballs with JSA authentication (or PSA, Beckett) that looked like mine, condition-wise, on an official NFL ball. Took some clicking around, comparing photos and descriptions.
What I Found Out
After looking at recent sales of similar items, I got a much better feel for the real market value. For a properly authenticated, good condition official NFL football signed by Emmitt Smith, the range seemed pretty consistent, though it still varies a bit. Definitely not the wild numbers I saw at first.
If the ball wasn’t authenticated, or if it was a cheaper type of ball, or the signature was bad? Yeah, the price dropped significantly. Inscriptions definitely added a premium if they were there.
My Takeaway
So, figuring out the value wasn’t just a quick search. You gotta look closely at the ball, the signature, and most importantly, that authentication. Then you gotta compare it to what similar items have actually sold for recently. It’s a bit of legwork. Now I have a realistic idea of what my Emmitt Smith ball is worth. Haven’t decided if I’ll sell it yet, but at least I know.
