Since autographed items and trading cards are unique, they can be very valuable, but easily forged or reproduced. Autographs are commonly sold with certificates of authenticity (COAs) and letters of authenticity (LOAs), while trading cards use a grading system. COAs, LOAs, and grades are meant to assure the buyer that the signature or item is genuine. However, COAs, LOAs, and grades are only as valuable as the reputation of the issuing party, so it's important to investigate the background of each authenticator or grader.
eBay will address concerns from our members in regard to autographs, COAs, LOAs, and trading cards. As part of this policy, we work with several reputable third parties. These third parties may use known authentic autograph examples to determine if these items are genuine or "likely not genuine." If they have concerns about an item’s authenticity, eBay may remove the listing from the site.
Make sure your listing follows these guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and you may be subject to a range of other actions, including limits of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.
What are the guidelines?
You can list autographed items and most trading cards on eBay. These guidelines will help you successfully sell these types of items on our website.
Things to do
Be sure to include the following information in your listing:
A clear photo of the actual autographed item
A clear photo of the COA or LOA
Information about the COA or LOA, including the name of the person or company issuing the certificate
Refund policy, in case a reputable dealer informs us or the buyer that the item is "likely not authentic"
Authentic and authorized pre-printed autographs or autographed items should generally be listed in the Autographs-Reprints category. An authorized pre-printed autograph means a company has acquired the rights to accurately reproduce the original signed item.
Things not to do
Don't list items that contain authentic pre-printed autographs in the Autographs-Original categories. An example of this would be a pre-printed autographed photo of a celebrity that is contained in a press kit.
COAs and LOAs let buyers know that the signature is "likely genuine." They also benefit sellers by helping to increase the value of their autographed items.
There are many reputable autograph experts, and eBay has identified a partial list of authenticators for your benefit. These authenticators offer various services for buyers and sellers of autograph.
Having trading cards graded by a grading company helps buyers know the value of the card you're listing. When listing any of the below trading cards, the following information must be stated word for word in the listing and in the same font size as the rest of the description:
The seller has taken the appropriate steps to have this trading card professionally graded by a reputable grading company.
The seller needs to include a clear photo of the graded trading card, showing the name or logo of the grading company.
Allowed
Most trading cards can be listed, as long as they're the original trading cards or authorized reproductions of trading cards. An authorized reproduction means a company has acquired the rights to accurately reproduce the original card.
Restricted
You can list the following trading cards only if they've been professionally graded by a reputable grading company:
1909 Cy Young (T206)
1909 Eddie Plank error card (T206)
1909 Honus Wagner (T206)
1909 Ty Cobb (T206)
1933 Babe Ruth (Goudey #53, #80, #144, and #181)
1933 Lou Gehrig (Goudey #92 and #160)
1951 Mickey Mantle (Bowman #253)
1952 Mickey Mantle (Topps #311)
1966-1967 Bobby Orr rookie card (Topps #35)
1979-1980 Wayne Gretzky rookie card (O-Pee-Chee and Topps #18)
1986-1987 Michael Jordan rookie card (Fleer #57)
Not allowed
Unauthorized reprints of trading cards that have had authorized reproductions created, such as unauthorized reprints of the:
1979 Wayne Gretzky rookie card reproduction
1986 Mario Lemieux rookie card reproduction
1986 Michael Jordan rookie card reproduction
Why does eBay have this policy?
eBay is always looking for ways to improve the buying and selling experience. As part of this effort, we created this policy as a means for our members to make informed decisions before buying and selling autographed items, as well as items that have COAs, LOAs, or items that have been graded.
Contact Customer Support
You can contact Customer Support to report a listing you think violates this policy. Go to that listing, and then click the Report item link on the right side of the page.
We'll review your report and take appropriate action.
Contact us
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