Bennett’s Authentication Services

Every artifact submitted is thoroughly examined for evidence of age, signs of modern manufacturing or tampering (re-chipping/restoration).

Verify your COA Here

If you are verifying a COA and no results appear, please email a front and back scan of the COA to customercare@premiereauctionsgroup.com

Artifacts that come in to Premiere Auctions for authentication are evaluated by Jim Bennett. Jim is a nationally recognized artifact authenticator and has published multiple books on authenticity evaluations and microscope use.

Evidence of authenticity or modern manufacture is derived by a study of the artifact’s surface and the analysis of:

Surface Weathering Patterns
Hinge Fracture Analysis
Proper Grinding Methods
Patination Analysis
Evidence of Ancient Use Wear Patterns
Surface Degradation
Artificial Patination Residue
Modern Tool Marks and other criteria.

Artifacts We Accept for Evaluation

Bennett’s Authentication service is centered around artifacts that originated in the general Midwest & Eastern seaboard areas. Bennett’s does not regularly accept historic era artifacts or items made from pottery or shell.

Tier 1

1-3 Artifacts

$25 Each

Most
Popular

Tier 2

4 or More Artifacts

$20 Each

Tier 3

Dealer Rate Available
For Large Quantities

Call 419-207-8787

For More Information

How to Submit an Item for Authentication

Print Off the Artifact Submission Form

to record the artifacts you’ll be sending, and to let us know where each relic was found.
This form also includes which services you would like for each artifact and, will provide the total cost you will need to include with your submission.

Bennett’s Artifact Authentication Request Form for 1-3 Artifacts

Bennett’s Artifact Authentication Request Form for 1-10 Artifacts

Bennett’s Artifact Authentication Request Form for 1-20 Artifacts

Number and Wrap Each Artifact Individually

Label the relic with the number that coincides with the number on the submission form,
whether that be a sticker on the relic or written on the bubble wrap.
Cut a piece of bubble wrap a little larger than the size of the artifact and tightly roll.
Secure the bubble wrap tightly with either a rubber band or tape.
Place the relics into a sturdy box with ample cushioning (paper or peanuts) to keep the relics from breaking.

Make Sure to Include Full Payment

By completing the credit card information section on the submission form,
or by including a check or money order made payable to Premiere Auctions Group.

Mail Sealed Box to the Address Below

via priority mail, UPS or Fed Ex. Be sure to insure your package.

If you listed an email address on your submission form we will:

Notify you when your items are received
Notify you the results of our evaluation
Notify you with the tracking or insurance information when your items are mailed back.
We do not automatically include insurance please be sure to indicate on the submission form if you want to insure your package for its return.

Premiere Auctions Group, LLC – Attn: Jim Bennett
1213 U.S HWY 42
ASHLAND, OH 44805

All submissions are returned via priority mail with delivery confirmation.
Insurance will be added only if you have selected that option on the artifact submission form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our authentication is centered around prehistoric flint and stone artifacts from the general area of the Midwestern US. We do not authenticate artifacts from outside the US. We also do not solicit to authenticate artifacts that are made from pottery or shell.
We base our conclusion on the evidence that is found on the artifacts surface as well as how it was manufactured. If an artifact has been in the ground for an extended period of time, it should have evidence of such that can be seen during a microscopic analysis. Mineral deposits and patina are a couple things we look for, but also how the artifacts surface “weathered” while it was in contact with the surrounding soil, sand, or water. We also look for signs of recent manufacture under magnification such as modern tool marks, sanding lines, or traces left from the addition of fake patina.
If you provide us with an email address on the Artifact Submission Form, we will email you when your package arrives at our facility. If you do not have an email, we will call you to let you know the items arrived. Once the evaluations are done, we will email or call you to let you know the results of the evaluation. If you have email, we will email you the tracking number on the return package.
Knowing that most collectors and dealers would like their artifacts evaluated and returned as soon as possible, we try to process every package in a timely manner. However, due to the large volume of artifacts sent to Mr. Bennett for inspection, our turn-around-time can average 2-4 weeks.
Most times artifacts will have the evidence needed to make a decision whether it is real or a reproduction. However, there are situations where an authentic artifact may not display enough positive traits to make a decision, or a reproduction may not display enough negative traits. In these situations we do not issue a COA or a Rejection Letter, and the full amount of the service fee is refunded.
We prefer to receive items via priority mail with a delivery confirmation, insured, certified or registered mail. This allows you to be able to track the packages to be sure we received them. We do accept UPS and FED EX, please mail packages to:
Premiere Auctions Group, LLC
1213 U.S HWY 42
Ashland, OH 44805
Check, Money Order or Credit Card is preferred. Please do not send cash.
Yes, each year we hold full day seminars at our location with a 500 slide Power Point presentation and hundreds of examples are reviewed. If you would like to be on a seminar notification list, please email jim@premiereauctionsgroup.com and we will send you more information when it is available.