In this article
	Policy overview What are the guidelines? Graded coins Criteria for approved grading companies Raw coins Stamps Replica stamps Why does eBay have this policy?

Policy overview

To help increase buyer confidence in the stamps, currency, and coins listed on eBay, we've established a set of guidelines for our sellers to follow. These guidelines cover what can and can't be sold on eBay, and the requirements for certain listings:

• Most countries strictly prohibit the sale of counterfeit currency and stamps as well as equipment designed to make them. Therefore, these types of items can't be listed on eBay.

• We do allow replica stamps and paper money to be listed as long as sellers follow certain rules, which are explained below.

• Replica coins aren't allowed. All other stamps, coins, and paper money must be accurately described.

• Coin listings can only mention a grade in the title or listing when that grade has been given by an approved grading company.

• For coin listings over a certain value, we require that the coin be graded by an approved grading company.

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?

Coins and paper money

Keep the following guidelines in mind when you're listing coins and paper money:

• Include all relevant information that you know about the item, such as origin, date of issue, and condition.

• Include a clear picture of the actual item being sold—don't use only stock pictures.

• Include all information about any alterations that may have been made to the item.

• Individually identify every item listed to avoid misunderstandings about what is for sale.

• Don't list the item if you're unsure of its origin or authenticity.

For advice or information from other coins or paper money enthusiasts, visit eBay's Coins & Paper Money discussion board.

Replica paper money

Sellers of replica paper money must follow these guidelines:

• Paper money reproductions (color or black and white) can only be listed if they are one-sided and less than 75% or greater than 150% of the size of the genuine item. The listing must include an image of the paper currency. Images that are dark, out of focus, edited, or misleading aren't allowed. Also, stock photos aren't allowed.

• In addition to including appropriate photos, listings for replica paper money must clearly state that the item is a "reproduction," "replica," or "copy" in both the title and description.

Find out more about the laws governing images and reproductions of money.

Graded coins

As coin collecting continues to grow on our site, members have told us that knowing they can buy and sell with confidence is important. To enhance the level of trust in the coins category, we've established a set of standards and requirements for graded coins that are listed on eBay. While this policy can't ensure the quality or accuracy of any grades and some reputable grading companies may not meet the standards that we have set, we believe this new policy will enhance the confidence and security of our users.

A graded coin is one that has received a numeric grade (MS-65 for example) from a coin grading company. This numeric grade can be included in the title, description, or item specifics of the listing only if the coin has been graded by a company that has been found by eBay to meet certain minimum objective criteria described on this page. 

If the coin isn't graded by one of the following grading companies, it's considered raw and must meet the requirements for raw coin listings.

Currently, the following four companies meet these criteria:

• Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC)

• Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)

• American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS)

• Independent Coin Graders (ICG)

Coins that have been graded by another company can still be listed, but the numeric grade can't be mentioned in the title, description, or item specifics. However, you can include an image of the coin in its graded holder even if that image shows a numeric grade on the holder.

Criteria for approved grading companies

To be eligible to be an approved grading service, the grading company must, at minimum, meet the following objective criteria: 

• The service should have graded at least 50,000 pre-1956 coins.

• The service should provide a live, online population report.

• There should be at least three graders on staff who are considered numismatic experts. A numismatic expert is an individual who has been a full-time numismatist for at least 5 years. At least 1 of the graders should be a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild, and all three should be members of the American Numismatic Association.

• The service should provide a buyback guarantee in writing for coins later determined to be counterfeit, damaged, misgraded or misattributed

• Coins being slabbed must be encased in a unique, tamper resistant holder with anti-counterfeiting measures (such as a hologram, or other method)

• The service should enable online verification of unique serial numbers

Note: We reserve the right to modify these criteria if necessary.

In an effort to provide our members with the best possible coin selling and buying experience, we are continuously looking for other companies that meet these criteria. Coin grading companies, other than those listed above, that believe that they meet these standards are encouraged to contact eBay. However, until eBay determines that these companies meet the standards and modifies the list of approved graders, only coins graded by the companies listed above will be able to have the numeric grade included in the title, description, or item specifics of their listings and, if the starting, reserve or Buy It Now price is $2500 or above, be listed on eBay.

Raw coins

A raw coin is one that hasn't been graded by a coin grading company, or one that has been graded, but not by an approved grading company. Raw coins can be listed on eBay as long as:

• A numeric grade (such as MS-65, VF-25) isn't included in the title, description, or item specifics of the listing.

• No estimate of value (even if personal opinion) or reference to a price guide is included in the title or description.

• The listing includes a photo of the coin being sold. Images that are dark, out of focus, edited, or might be misleading aren't allowed. Also, stock photos aren't allowed.

• The starting, reserve, or Buy It Now price for the coin is less than $2500.

Stamps

Keep the following guidelines in mind when you're listing stamps:

• Include all relevant information that you know about the item, such as origin, date of issue, and condition.

• Include clear pictures of the actual item being sold—don't use stock pictures. You can add up to 12 photos to your Collectibles listings for free.

• All flaws or alterations to the item being sold that can't be seen in the pictures must be specified in the description of the listing.

• Include all information about any alterations that may have been made to the item.

• Individually identify every item listed to avoid misunderstandings about what is for sale.

• Don't make false or misleading claims of sales scarcity, value, condition or investment potential.

For advice or information from other stamps enthusiasts, visit eBay's Stamp Collectors discussion board.

Replica stamps

Sellers of replica stamps must follow these guidelines:

• The item must be clearly marked as a replica in a way that cannot be removed.

• The listing must include a picture that clearly shows this mark.

• The listing must clearly state in the title and item description that the item is a replica.

Why does eBay have this policy?

eBay wants to be a place that is safe for both buyers and sellers of stamps, coins, and paper money. We have worked with various outside experts to develop guidelines and policies designed to protect eBay members.