Barack Obama autographs have become some of the most popular collectibles in the hobby. Obama has quickly become one of the most popular presidents of all-time. There are many different items that Obama has signed over the past few years. Some of these items are worth a lot of money if they are deemed to be authentic. Being the first African American President will help the value of his autographed merchandise for years to come. The capture of Osama Bin Laden had a huge impact on many of Obama’s signed items. Some items increased in value more than 25% within a week of the announcement.
Most Popular Barack Obama Autograph Items
There are many different signed items that collectors can purchase of the 44th American president. Some of the most popular autographs are those signed before he was elected a few years ago. These one of a kind items can sell for hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Here is a list of some of the most expensive Barack Obama autographed items.
• Barack Obama autograph baseball ($1,500)
• Barack Obama signed 8X10 photo ($350)
• Topps Barack Obama 2008 autographed card ($4,500)
Combo autographs are also very popular. An example of this would be a Barack Obama and Michelle Obama signed baseball or a signed picture of all the living presidents of the United States. Because both these examples are so rare the seller can make the price and in most cases the prices start at over $5,000.
Autopen Autographs and Fake Obama Autographs
An autopen is not necessarily a fake autograph. An autopen is a machine that has been used by many presidents and heads of states. This machine creates an autograph from an original template created for the president. These machines are used to sign important documents as well as letters to important people. In most cases autopens are used when the President cannot appear in person to sign a document or if he has to sign a massive amount of documents. These machines have been getting a lot of publicity recently as Obama has used it to sign off on a treaty with France and an extension of the Patriot act. Autopen signatures do sell as collectible autograph but do not bring anywhere near what an original signature does.
Fake Barack Obama autographs are much more prevalent than people think. Counterfeits have popped up at collectible shows as well as online on sites like Ebay. These fake Obama autographs are not always easy to detect. Buyers should try to purchase signatures that have been authenticated or that are being sold by reputable dealers. In most cases dealers offer money back guarantee which can be quite helpful in case of a fraudulent signature.
Value of Barack Obama Autographs
Determining the value of a Barack Obama autograph takes time and has many different important factors that can change the pricing of a given item. The quality of the signature can be the most important factor. In some cases signed items can smudge or fade over time. The better the autograph the more it sells for.
The second most important factor when determining the value of a Barack Obama autograph is the item that has been signed. In most cases 8X10 photos sell for around $300, while a signed ball or non flat item can sell for a few thousand dollars. The harder the item is to find the more it sells for.
Barack Obama autographs make outstanding collectibles. They also make great investments. Collectors just need to make sure that they are buying authentic signatures and not fake or autopen signed items.