A Rare Treasure from the Mind of a Visionary
Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) remains one of history’s most innovative and influential inventors. His work on alternating current (AC) power, wireless communication, and countless other electrical innovations laid the groundwork for much of modern technology. Today, acquiring a piece of his personal memorabilia—such as an authentic signature—is an incredible rarity and a powerful connection to the genius whose name still resonates around the world today.
The item we are highlighting is a PSA/DNA-certified “cut” signature of Nikola Tesla. The signature is encapsulated and authenticated, ensuring collectors alike that they are indeed holding a genuine slice of Tesla’s legacy.
Nikola Tesla to Elon Musk and Tesla Motors
In the modern era, the name “Tesla” has reemerged in the public consciousness largely due to Elon Musk and the electric car manufacturer Tesla, Inc. While Musk’s company bears the inventor’s name in honor of Nikola Tesla’s groundbreaking work in electricity, its success has reignited interest in the great scientist himself. Collectors have flocked to Tesla memorabilia, seeing these items not only as historical keepsakes but also as links to the ideals of innovation and forward thinking championed by both Nikola Tesla and Elon Musk’s automotive and energy ventures.
Extreme Rarity: Some Interesting Numbers Behind Tesla Autographs
Authentic Nikola Tesla signatures are exceptionally difficult to find due to Tesla’s reclusive nature later in life and the limited volume of documents he personally signed.
As of February 9, 2025, here are some known sales counts by major auction houses:
Historical Autographs Gallery: 2 signed examples sold.
University Archives: 4 signed examples sold.
RR Auction: 25 signed examples sold.
Heritage Auctions: 7 signed examples sold.
In total, fewer than 50 known publicly sold autographs of Nikola Tesla are easily traceable. When a Tesla signature surfaces, it is a major event for collectors, museums, and historians.
Historical Prices vs. Recent Sales
Interest in Tesla autographs has skyrocketed over the last decade and a half, driven (get it?) partly by the inventor’s elevated profile thanks to the popularity of Tesla-branded electric vehicles. For instance:
RR Auction (2010): Sold a cut signature similar to ours for $530.
Heritage Auctions (2011): Sold a cut signature similar to ours for $776.75.
Historical Autographs Gallery (2025): We sold our example for $10,000.
From $530 in 2010 to $10,000 in our recent sale constitutes roughly an 1,787% increase over about 15 years. Even from $776.75 in 2011 to $10,000 more recently is about a 1,187% increase.
Although we weren’t in business when these auction houses originally sold those Tesla autographs, we’ve referenced their figures to illustrate just how dramatically the market has risen. Both auction houses have continued to find success with Tesla signatures since then, but our sale stands out as the most recent example to hit the market—and thus offers the clearest snapshot of their current value.
Value Increases and Comparisons to the S&P 500 and Tesla Stock (Factoring in Splits)
When we compare Tesla autograph sales to major market benchmarks and Tesla, Inc.’s own performance—adjusted for stock splits—the results are intriguing and especially revealing:
1. Nikola Tesla Autograph Increases
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RR Auction Sale (Early 2010) to Our Recent Sale
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Sold at RR Auction (2010): $530
- Occurred roughly 4.5 months before Tesla’s IPO in late June 2010
- Our Recent Sale: $10,000
- Dollar Increase: $9,470
- Percentage Gain: approximately 1,787%
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Sold at RR Auction (2010): $530
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Heritage Auctions Sale (2011) to Our Recent Sale
- Sold at Heritage (2011): $776.75
- Our Recent Sale: $10,000
- Dollar Increase: $9,223.25
- Percentage Gain: approximately 1,188%
Now lets compare these gains to the SP 500 & Tesla Stock!
2. S&P 500 (February 10, 2010 → February 7, 2025)
- Closed at 1,068.13 on February 10, 2010
- Closed at 6,025.99 on February 7, 2025
- Approximate Dollar Increase: 4,957.86
- Percentage Gain: roughly 464%
3. Tesla, Inc. Stock (IPO on June 29, 2010 → Recent Price, Factoring in Splits)
- Original IPO Price (unadjusted): $17 per share
- Stock Splits: Tesla executed a 5-for-1 split in 2020, then a 3-for-1 split in 2022, for a combined 15-to-1 split adjustment.
- Split-Adjusted IPO Price: approximately $1.13 per share ($17 ÷ 15).
- Recent Post-Split Price: $361.62
- Dollar Increase (split-adjusted): $361.62 – $1.13 = $360.49
- Percentage Gain: about 31,900%
Putting It All Together
- Tesla Autographs: From a few hundred dollars to $10,000—a jump of roughly 1,200%–1,800% depending on the acquisition date.
- S&P 500: Over the same period (2010–2025), up around 464%.
- Tesla, Inc. Stock (split-adjusted): Skyrocketed by about 31,900%, reflecting some of the most explosive growth in modern stock market history.
Maybe we all should have just bought Tesla stock? Well, Tesla autographs are a bit more fun for us collectors...Right?
Despite Tesla stock’s remarkable climb, the percentage increase in Nikola Tesla autograph prices—from near-historical lows to five-figure territory—still outshines the broad S&P 500 index and rivals the spirit of growth embodied by Tesla, Inc. itself. This extraordinary appreciation highlights the powerful blend of rarity, historical significance, and modern-day fascination that surrounds Nikola Tesla, making his authentic signature a uniquely compelling collectible.
A Testament to Innovation, Rarity, and Remarkable Growth
As society leans into sustainable energy and cutting-edge technology, Tesla’s pioneering ideas hold greater relevance than ever, and that renewed interest is clearly reflected in the soaring market for his signature. In fact, the value of his autographs has not only outpaced broad benchmarks like the S&P 500 but also kept pace with—if not surpassed—the meteoric rise of Tesla, Inc. stock.
The sheer rarity of these documents, coupled with the storied history behind them, makes a Tesla autograph a powerful symbol that unites past achievements with the promise of tomorrow. Whether you’re passionate about innovation, intrigued by Elon Musk and Tesla, or looking for a unique investment opportunity, this collectible stands as a remarkable bridge between cultural heritage and a future defined by the very breakthroughs Nikola Tesla once envisioned.