If you see this, post a robot
As far as I'm aware certificates of authenticity typically aren't legal documents, they're declarations from the artist or gallery. I imagine its similar here. I would argue though that they are more secure since NFTs are tamper-proof while COAs and signatures can be forged.
…they wouldn’t be seen as the same even though they’re identical. Only one of them was intentionally released by the original artist. In a way, that’s what NFTs do. They ensure that “this digital work was released into the world by its original creator”
It’s basically just a signature or certificate of authenticity. Like you could have two identical lithographs created from the same MC Escher etching. But if one was pressed by Escher and the other was pressed 50 years later by someone who ended up with the etching…
This is kind of a short answer, I was trying to fit it in the character limit. I hope it doesn't come across 'snooty' (not sure if thats the right word 🙈). There are other benefits too imo, I'm putting together a longer Reddit post on my thoughts. I can share when its done if you're interested.
Digital artists are usually limited to posting their work publicly or working for a corporation, while a painter for example has those benefits but can also peruse a genuine solo career releasing original work to supporters. I think NFTs bring this "best of both worlds" to digital artists.