If you have an artifact you would like authenticated, please contact us first by phone or e-mail so we know to expect your package. Cost of Authentication Service is $20.00 per artifact, plus return shipping cost (see below for current shipping and handling costs). Turnaround time is usually about 1 to 2 weeks depending on our workload. Appraisal Service is also available for a cost of $5.00 per item, if needed in writing. Earthworks Artifacts has provided Authentication services since 1999. We have over 40 years combined experience in examining artifacts and judging their authenticity. Our state of the art diagnostic equipment includes halogen lamp-lighted stereo binocular and digital microscopes, a "Mantis" boom-mounted viewer that offers a highly illuminated, extra-wide magnified field of view that is ideal for examining larger artifacts, and of course, Ultraviolet-LW/SW . Earthworks Artifacts was the first Authentication service to offer “virtually foolproof” certificates by combining so many security features onto a single certificate (see below). A numbered and recorded Certificate of Authenticity will be issued for each artifact submitted for review and deemed authentic. A written explanation of why we felt the artifact was not authentic will be provided for artifacts that do not pass our examination of authenticity. We also do authentications at our shop by appointment only.

Here's an example of our "standard" Certificate of Authenticity, measuring about 8-1/2" x 5". They fit nicely in a standard ring-binder "half-page" sleeve. The artifact is first photographed using our professional photography equipment. Then the photo along with the information are printed onto premium photographic paper. Next, we sign and stamp the certificate and finally we laminate over the entire certificate using heat-bonded crystal clear laminating sheets. All who see our certificates are impressed with thier quality and comment that ours are the best COA's they've seen. Duplicate copies of all Certificates of Authenticity are retained by us for future reference or in the event that an original is destroyed or damaged we can provide a new one for you. I wouldn't say that any COA made my anyone is completely "foolproof", but as you can see we've taken extra steps to make it very hard and time-consuming for ours to be counterfieted.  

Here's an example of our "full page" sized Certificates of Authenticity measuring 8-1/2" x 11". Because of the larger size we typically feature photos of both sides of the artifact on the certificate. They also have more room for text and are a good choice for artifacts with a great deal of history to be documented onto the COA. These are also signed and stamped and basically made through the same process as mentioned above with the exception that they are not laminated, due to thier size. These are the Certificates of Authenticity we include in the "Artifact Documentation Portfolios". These certificates are available by special request for no additional cost, giving you the option of two formats to choose from to best suit your needs. 

Return Shipping and Handling Charges for Artifacts sent for Authentication based on total value of Artifact(s) in package. 

You must let us know what YOU determine the value of your item(s) to be or what level of shipping/insurance you desire. We ship one of two ways – USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation and insurance, or USPS Registered & Insured Mail with delivery confirmation; see your local US Post Office for further details on these two options. 
Below are our current standard shipping and handling rates based the on total value of Artifact(s) in package. Please include the amount shown below in addition to the standard Authentication Service fee(s):

$200 or less. $8.00 per package return shipping and handling via USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation and insured as requested.

$201-$500. $10.00 per package return shipping and handling via USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation and insured as requested.

$501-$1,000. $12.00 per package return shipping and handling via USPS Registered & Insured Mail with delivery confirmation and insured as requested.

$1,001-$5,000. $15.00 per package return shipping and handling via USPS Registered & Insured Mail with delivery confirmation and insured as requested.

$5,001-10,000. $20.00 per package return shipping and handling via USPS Registered & Insured Mail with delivery confirmation and insured as requested.

 $Over 10,000. Call or e-mail for quote. Extremely valuable, multiple Artifacts may require shipping and insuring two or more packages separately.