By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor

Topps announced Monday a free authentication and grading program for some new baseball autographed cards that were released recently without a key way to assure that they are real and not unsigned cards that have had fake autographs added to them.

The cards are the seven Aflac autographs found in 2011 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects which were released without serial-numbering to differentiate them from the unsigned cards that were given to the pubic during the prep all-star event.

The players are Archie Bradley, Dylan Bundy, Larry Greene, Travis Harrison, Francisco Lindor, Robert Stephenson and Blake Swihart.

To alleviate this problem, Topps has joined with PSA to get the autographs authenticated and the cards graded — for free.

The cards will be marked on the slab that they were part of the program and only the cards found in packs will be accepted. The offer is good until July 1, 2012.

Cards should be mailed to:

AFLAC Certification Program c/o Topps
1 Whitehall Street
New York, N.Y. 10004

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.