Abstract: The present invention incorporates a fine art authentication system to authenticate artwork that are certified to be originals from an accounted-for limited edition. Each reproduction has a non-reproducible RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) tag attached to the back of the canvas or paper, using a specially developed inert compound that will not react with the canvas or inks. The bonding is secure, acid-free and will not hurt or degrade the image. The embedded RFID tag is covered with a Lexan disk identifying the art as an authentic original reproduction. The RFID tag contains an electronic serial number that can be read by an inexpensive RFID scanner at participating galleries. This number is unique to the artist, the image and the edition number and cannot be duplicated. The device cannot be removed without damaging artwork and rendering the RFID tag inoperative.