In 2012 Sotheby’s London discovered a hidden signature on a painting after examining the work under UV light. While under normal light there was no visible signature, it showed up immediately, when viewed with a black light bulb. Experts believe that the signature was written with a pen used to mark banknotes. The painting titled “Orange Sports Figure” was set to go on sale with an estimated value of between $4.7 million and $6.3 million dollars. The auctioneers were shocked to find a full signature reading “Jean Michel Basquiat NYC ‘82” as Basquiat often signed his paintings with a crown symbol or his graffiti moniker “SAMO.” The discovery is one example of how scientific testing can be used to help attribute a painting, or in this case, raise the value of known work and create a media buzz.

Find out now if you have an authentic Jean-Michel Basquiat painting or drawing: