Recently, IIC was made aware of instances in which sellers have publicly claimed that their products were authenticated by IIC to contain high-value “hits” without providing a traceable or verifiable authentication report. We consider this a misrepresentation of our process and a risk to buyer confidence and market integrity. IIC issues formal authentication only through documented reports that include a unique identifier tied to a specific CT scan and metadata set. Any claim lacking such traceability should be treated with caution.

IIC is committed to advancing the science of authenticity verification and provenance assurance through the application of high-resolution X-ray and computed tomography (CT) imaging technologies. These non-invasive methods allow for the internal and external examination of high-value collectibles, providing a uniquely tamper-evident digital fingerprint for each item analyzed.

While CT authentication offers unparalleled precision, the integrity of the verified object is only assured while it remains within the secure custody of IIC. Once a product exits our controlled environment, the risk of fraud, substitution, or tampering inherently increases. To mitigate this risk, we strongly recommend that all buyers request a re-authentication immediately prior to any transfer of ownership—ensuring the item moves directly from IIC to the end recipient. This maintains a continuous chain of custody and preserves the validity of the original authentication.

In parallel, IIC is collaborating with industry stakeholders to establish a standardized protocol for serialization and digital recordkeeping. This includes the creation of a secure, publicly accessible library of authenticated CT scans, serving as a verifiable reference point for traceability and provenance validation. Given the technical, legal, and logistical complexities involved, this framework will require time to finalize—but development is underway, and progress is being made in alignment with best practices across forensic imaging, metadata security, and collectibles market compliance.

We encourage collectors, dealers, and institutions to engage with us as we build a more secure and transparent ecosystem for high-value collectibles.

For re-authentication services or to participate in the development of our serialization initiative, please contact our team directly.