Expertization is the process of

authentication Authentication (from ''authentikos'', "real, genuine", from αὐθέντης ''authentes'', "author") is the act of proving an Logical assertion, assertion, such as the Digital identity, identity of a computer system user. In contrast with iden ...

of an object, usually of a sort that is collected, by an individual

authority Authority is commonly understood as the legitimate power of a person or group of other people. In a civil state, ''authority'' may be practiced by legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government,''The New Fontana Dictionary of M ...

or a committee of authorities. The expert, or expert committee, examines the collectible and issues a certificate typically including: * A statement of: ** Whether or not the item is authentic ** Identification of any damage to the item ** Identification of any repairs to the item ** Identification of any forgery or faked parts of the item * A photo of the item Some experts apply a mark or signature to the item attesting its genuineness. Expertization is particularly common with valuable

philatelic Philately (; ) is the study of postage stamps and postal history. It also refers to the collection and appreciation of stamps and other philatelic products. While closely associated with stamp collecting and the study of postage, it is possibl ...

items, some of which are so often forged that they may be unsaleable without it.

See also