Questions people ask before they trust a record.

Straight answers on verification, ownership, editions, and privacy — no jargon, and honest about what a certificate does and doesn't promise.

How do I verify an Attesian certificate?

Scan the QR code on the certificate, or open its link. The page recomputes the certificate's fingerprint, checks the cryptographic signature against Attesian's published key, and confirms the record is included in the day's registry anchor — all in your own browser. You do not need an account, and you do not have to take Attesian's word for it.

Is this blockchain or crypto?

There is no token, no wallet, and nothing to buy. Attesian uses ordinary cryptographic signatures and a daily fingerprint of the registry, which is timestamped via OpenTimestamps against the Bitcoin blockchain purely as a public, tamper-resistant clock. For you it is 'no crypto'; underneath, the assurance is real.

How is this different from an NFT?

An NFT is a blockchain token, usually bought and sold. An Attesian certificate is a statement about a real artwork — who made it, that it is genuine, and where it has been. You do not purchase anything to verify a work, and the record documents a physical piece rather than standing in for a digital one.

What does it cost an artist?

An artist is never charged to own the record of their own work. Owning your certificate and history is the baseline; you are not held to ransom over your own provenance.

Can the history be edited or deleted?

No. The record is append-only: existing entries are permanent, and new information is added as new entries. If something needs fixing, a visible correction is added rather than the past being rewritten — which is exactly what makes a fake history impossible to slip in, even for Attesian.

Do buyers or the public need an account to check a work?

No. Verification is fully public. Anyone with the certificate link or QR code can confirm a work and see its history, with no account and nothing to install.

Who owns the record — the artist or the gallery?

The record belongs to the artist and moves with them from gallery to gallery. Galleries and venues can contribute events and are given lasting credit for what they add, but they cannot take the record away when an artist moves on.

What if a gallery started a record before I claimed it?

A gallery can create a provisional record for a work. When you claim it, Attesian binds it to you and tidily merges any duplicates — without breaking certificates that have already been printed. Old QR codes keep working and continue to verify.

Are sale prices shown publicly?

No. Individual sale prices are never shown publicly; only the people involved can see them. The public record shows provenance and authenticity, not private financial details.

What kinds of art can Attesian certify?

Paintings, drawings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, mixed media, and craft. How certification works is tuned to each medium — for example, image fingerprinting is strongest for flat work and is treated more cautiously for three-dimensional and editioned pieces.