Certificate of Authenticity Sample (For Your Original Paintings)

When I sell my original paintings on eBay, I make sure to include a Certificate of Authenticity (C.O.A.). This is a great way to include all the information the art buyer might want to have on hand about the artwork.

Here is a sample of the Certificate of Authenticity I make for each original painting I sell online.

Things to include in your Certificate of Authenticity are:

• The title of your painting / artwork.
• The artist’s name and year the artwork was created.
• The country where the artwork was created.
• Total height, width, number of canvases, single canvas size (weight is optional).
• If the painting is an original (or print, reproduction, etc.).
• The medium used to create the painting.
• Certificate ID (I use the eBay Item Number for the Certificate ID, but you can have your own numbering system).
• I always include “This is to certify that the painting with the above specifications is an authentic original painting created by and purchased from Soniei’s Contemporary Art“.
• Then I sign my name, add the current date, and I stamp my Hanko (Japanese signature stamp) for an added touch.
• On the bottom of the Certificate of Authenticity, it’s always good to put your logo and website address (mailing address / phone number is optional).

Although this sample is on a white background in order to make it easier to see on your computer screen, I print my certificates on beautiful printing paper that I buy at the art store. The type of paper you use for your Certificates isn’t really important, but try to find paper that matches your personality and your artwork.