If you can demonstrate provenance—or a chain of ownership—then a collectible’s value increases dramatically among collectors.

A new study from The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business shows that same principle works in a virtual economy, too, as proving the provenance of digital-only assets can increase their value.

Soogand Alavi, assistant professor of marketing, said the resale value of gaming cards in the game Gods Unchained was higher if the card had once been owned by a prominent game player, even though the card is not an actual physical thing.

Why would game players value a digital asset more if it was once owned by a prominent player, especially since it’s nothing more than an image that adds no value to its gaming performance? Alavi thinks it’s likely for similar reasons why someone would be willing to pay top dollar for any other collectible in the real world, such as a bat once owned by Babe Ruth—because the prestige of the former owner will reflect a little bit on them.