Sell securely with Authenticity Guarantee

What is Authenticity Guarantee?

eBay's Authenticity Guarantee is a service designed to help buyers shop with confidence. Professional authenticators physically inspect all eligible items before shipping to the buyer. For sellers, Authenticity Guarantee provides protection against fraudulent returns.

How does Authenticity Guarantee work?

It's easy! When a buyer purchases your eligible item, you will ship it directly to the authentication facility. There, the item goes through a meticulous inspection process. Once authenticated, the item is shipped to the buyer via tracked shipping with signature required for coins $1,500 and above.

Please note, there is no grading or re-grading in this process unless otherwise stated by eBay. Our authenticators verify that the raw coin or certified holder is authentic and as described to ensure the correct item was sent and the buyer gets exactly what they purchased.

Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?

No. eBay covers the cost of authentication.

What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?

Authenticity Guarantee is available for graded US and World coins, and raw US coins, $500 and above. Eligible coins must be listed on the US site, ebay.com, and must fall within the following categories:

• U.S. Coins = 253
  • Coins & Paper Money > Coins: US
• Canadian Coins = 3377
  • Coins & Paper Money > Coins: Canada
• World Coins = 256
  • Coins & Paper Money > Coins: World

For graded coins, eligible coins must be graded by one of the following companies:

• Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)
• Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC)
• Certified Acceptance Corporation Grading (CACG)
• American Numismatic Association Certification (ANACS)
• Independent Coin Graders (ICG)

The buyer and the seller must be located in the US. Only US-to-US transactions are eligible at this time. US territory locations, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and US Armed Forces postal locations are not currently covered.

Listings that offer only local pickup are not eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. If the seller gifts a coin or other item(s) free of charge to the buyer, the additional item(s) will not be eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee service and may be disposed of.

Are coins listed in the bullion category eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?

Not at this time.

How can I confirm my item qualified for Authenticity Guarantee?

A blue badge with “Authenticity Guarantee” will automatically appear on your item's listing page. Upon making a sale, you can also check your order details in the Seller Hub sold section. If eligible, you will receive a confirmation email indicating your item sold with Authenticity Guarantee.

What happens if I miscategorize my coin?

To qualify for Authenticity Guarantee, your coin must be listed in the correct corresponding category. If a coin is listed in the wrong category, it may not be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee and may not show the blue “Authenticity Guarantee” badge. To help ensure eligibility, list eligible coins in the correct US Coins or World Coins category and make sure the listing details accurately match the item.

If I list my coin for $500 and accept a Best Offer below $500 will it be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?

Yes. Your item will be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee and sent to the authenticator for inspection. Items with a Buy It Now price of at least $500 with either auction format or Best Offer are also eligible.

How do you determine Authenticity Guarantee eligibility for auction-style listings?

All auction-style listings that sell for over the eligible price point are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, regardless of the starting price.

What happens at the authenticator?

After the authentication facility receives the coin, the authenticator will first perform a multi-point inspection. For raw coins, this involves inspecting the coin and its overall condition to help verify that it is authentic and consistent with the listing description. For graded coins, this involves inspecting the certified holder for signs of tampering and verifying that the holder and label are authentic to the grader. Then they confirm the item is consistent with the listing title, photos, and listing description. Finally, the coin will be packaged with Authenticity Guarantee materials and sent to the buyer.

Who is authenticating the coins?

eBay's partner team of professionally trained authenticators vet and verify each item, utilizing detailed, physical inspection and advanced technical equipment in a state-of-the-art facility. For raw coins, experts verify authenticity through a multi-point inspection, and then carefully review listing details for accuracy. For graded coins, experts authenticate each holder and label. No re-grading is performed unless otherwise stated by eBay.

Can I get my coin graded during the Authenticity Guarantee process?

No, eBay does not offer coin grading or re-grading as part of the Authenticity Guarantee service unless otherwise stated.

Can I offer combined shipping?

Authenticity Guarantee items are not eligible for combined shipping promotions since each authenticated item is put into a separate order for processing. Please ship all orders individually for the time being.

What is the estimated delivery time for Authenticity Guarantee items?

The authenticator will inspect the item within one to two business days after receiving it. Once authenticated, it will be shipped directly to the buyer with four-day or less tracked delivery.

How do I track the status of my item?

You can track the status of your item throughout the process in the View Order Details section of your Seller Hub.

Can a buyer choose not to have the item authenticated?

No.

What should I do if I need to cancel the order?

If you can't complete a sale with a buyer, you can cancel the order by locating the sale in Seller Hub or the “My eBay” tab and following the cancellation process. The buyer will be notified of the order cancellation immediately.

Where am I shipping the item?

eBay will provide you with the address of the authentication center along with the buyer's name and a unique ID number. Please use the exact address eBay provides and include the unique ID number on Address Line 2. Alternatively, if you are using eBay labels, that information will automatically be populated for you. Once the authenticator verifies the coin or certified holder, they will ship it to the buyer's address at no cost to you.

How do I provide tracking information?

Once you've shipped the item, you'll need to upload tracking information through My eBay. Providing tracking information ensures your item will be inspected and seller protections cover you. It also allows buyers to track the progress of their purchases through each step of the authentication process.

Can buyers return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee?

Buyers can return an item if you accept returns, as stated in the listing, and the return is requested within your return window. If you do not accept returns, the item will be final sale and cannot be returned.

How does the return process work with Authenticity Guarantee?

If you choose to offer returns and the buyer decides to return, we will instruct the buyer to send the item back to the authenticator. Your return policy determines whether you or the buyer pays for shipping costs back to the authenticator. After receiving the item, the authenticator will re-verify that the raw coin or certified holder is authentic and matches the original condition. If the coin passes the authenticity re-inspection, the authenticator will ship it to you. Otherwise, the coin will be sent back to the buyer. If fraud is detected, eBay will take appropriate action should the buyer be found at fault.

Why would my item be returned to me by the authenticator?

Your item may be returned to you if it does not pass the authentication check or if the item is not consistent with its listing, including title, photos, condition, or description. You will not be charged for the cost of shipping the return, and a refund will be issued to the buyer.

Can I relist my item if it gets rejected due to “Not as described”?

Yes, to avoid rejection due to “Not as described,” we recommend refining your listing, reviewing your condition and description, title, or adding more photos of the item to accurately convey the condition of the coin. As a reminder, eligible coins must be listed in the correct corresponding category, must meet the eligible price point, and must match the listing title, photos, condition, and description to qualify for Authenticity Guarantee.

What will happen if my item is damaged or lost while in possession of the authenticator?

In the unlikely event the item is lost or damaged while in possession of the authentication facility, eBay will cover such loss or damage of the item with proof.

What will happen if my item is damaged or lost in transit when the authenticator ships it to the buyer?

In the unlikely event the item is lost in transit, the buyer can open a case and eBay will investigate. In the unlikely event the item is damaged, the buyer can open a return with “arrived damaged” as the return reason, and after careful review, eBay will refund the buyer as appropriate.

What automated protections does eBay have for sellers?

We have automated protections for sellers who send their items to the authenticator within their stated handling time. Once the item goes through inspection and is sent to the buyer, you are fully protected against any negative or neutral feedback. The “Item Not Received” cases will be removed from the Service Metrics dashboard before the next evaluation cycle. Should an “Item Not Received” case be closed and a refund issued to the buyer, you will not be responsible for that refund as long as eBay has tracking information confirming delivery to the authenticator, which can be found in the View Order Details.

When will I receive payment for an item that is going through authentication?

Funds from your eBay sales may be placed on hold until a transaction has been completed successfully, or while we confirm information about your account. In most cases, the funds are released from a hold after the buyer has received their item.

Is Authenticity Guarantee the same as eBay Authenticate that launched in 2017?

eBay Authenticate has been retired and replaced with the new and improved Authenticity Guarantee. With Authenticity Guarantee, we've expanded the categories eligible for authentication, shortened the time it takes to authenticate, and increased protections for buyers and sellers.

Can I choose which authenticator my coin goes to?

Not at this time.

The Authenticity Guarantee service for Collectible Coins (“Authenticity Guarantee” or “Authenticity Guarantee for Collectible Coins”) makes third-party inspection and authentication services (“Services”) mandatory for certain items sold on eBay.com. These Authenticity Guarantee Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) apply to the Authenticity Guarantee service for Collectible Coins and Eligible Items detailed below and sold or purchased on eBay.com, and set out the terms under which eBay offers you access to and use of the Authenticity Guarantee service for Collectible Coins.

1. Applicability of eBay User Agreement.

The eBay.com User Agreement, eBay’s User Privacy Notice, and all policies posted on our sites (collectively, and as the same may be amended from time to time, “eBay’s Policies”) apply in addition to these Terms. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and eBay’s Policies, these Terms will control as to all matters that they explicitly address. For all matters not explicitly addressed by these Terms, eBay’s Policies will control.

2. Applicability of eBay Money Back Guarantee (“eMBG”).

For authenticated items, purchases are covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee when all other eligibility requirements are met and the item isn’t received, or the item arrives damaged, or the seller doesn’t fulfill their return policy. If the seller does not accept returns or the return is opened outside of the stated return window, the item is considered “final sale” and cannot be returned. In the unlikely event that your item is damaged in transit, you must open a return request within three (3) calendar days or if the seller offers returns, within the seller’s stated return window. Learn more about eBay Money Back Guarantee.

3. Description of the Authenticity Guarantee Service.

After the purchase of an Eligible Item (description in Section 5(a) below) on eBay.com, the item is shipped to a vetted third-party authentication partner (“Authentication Partner”) to carefully inspect the item for authenticity and accuracy against the item listing. Upon confirmation of the item by the Authentication Partner, it is properly packaged and securely shipped to the buyer. If the item’s authenticity cannot be verified or the item is significantly not as described, the item is returned to the seller and a refund is issued to the buyer. AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEE FOR COLLECTIBLE COINS DOES NOT INCLUDE GRADING SERVICES. If the item condition or any other aspect of the coin does not match the listing, the coin will be returned from the Authentication Partner to the seller, with the purchase canceled and payment price returned to the buyer. By listing for sale or purchasing an Eligible Item, you acknowledge and agree that the Eligible Item will be sent to the Authentication Partner to perform the Services. More information about the Authentication Partner and Services may be found here.

4. Authenticity Guarantee Service Fees.

The Services are provided at no cost to sellers and buyers for Eligible Items that are bought or sold on eBay.com; however, eBay reserves the right to institute, alter, or amend fees or costs associated with the Services at any time, at eBay’s sole discretion.

5. Eligibility

a. Item Eligibility.

Only select listings on eBay.com are eligible for the Services. eBay reserves the right at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice to you, to alter or amend the eligibility requirements for Eligible Items, including, but not limited to category, and/or value of items and/or transactions. “Eligible Items” in the Collectible Coins category must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Category: US Coins (raw and graded) and World coins (graded)
2. Coin Type: Single coins only
3. Grading Type: Ungraded and graded coins
   • Only coins graded and slabbed by the following graders will be accepted: Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS); Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC); ANACS; CA Grading (CACG); and Independent Coin Graders (ICG).
4. Price: Raw coins or graded coins listed or sold at auction for $500 or more, exclusive of tax and shipping

b. The following items are not eligible for Authenticity Guarantee:

1. Items whose listings do not bear the Authenticity Guarantee blue checkmark badge
2. Items listed in categories not named above
3. Graded and slabbed coins not from an eligible grading company listed above
4. Coins sets, rolls, bags, or bulk lots  of two or more coins
5. Miscategorized items, e.g., other types of items listed in eligible categories
6. Raw redemption coins
7. Banknotes, paper money, medals, and tokens
8. Additional cards that are gifted to buyers as a bonus and free of charge or used as packing materials
9. Items purchased using an offline payment method
10. Listings that offer local pickup
11. Items shipped to or from unincorporated territories (incl. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)

c. Ineligible items will not be authenticated.

Furthermore, eBay may refuse to accept ineligible items (including, but not limited to, additional coins or items that are gifted to buyers as a bonus and free of charge) and is not responsible for storage, delivery, return, damage or loss of such items. eBay reserves the right to donate or otherwise dispose of such ineligible items in our sole and absolute discretion.

d. Country Eligibility

Authenticity Guarantee is only available for buyers and sellers in the United States. eBay reserves the right to expand or limit the countries eligible for Authenticity Guarantee or the Services at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice. If your item sells abroad, you will be bound by the User Agreement and policies, including any buyer protection policies, of the site on which the item is sold and, potentially, the consumer and other laws of the country of the relevant site. You will also be responsible for eBay's standard international fees that apply to these sales. If you do not want your item to be sold to buyers internationally, you can exclude countries or regions you don’t want to post to by updating your shipping settings.

6. Party Roles

a. Your Role as Seller.

By listing an Eligible Item for sale on the eBay platform, you authorize its inspection by the Authentication Partner subsequent to its purchase. Upon purchase, you are required to ship the Eligible Item, with appropriate insurance coverage, to a facility located within the United States, as directed by eBay. Items must be sent to the facility individually unless part of a multi-item order. The cost of shipping to the Authentication Partner is not covered by eBay. You acknowledge and agree that if the Authentication Partner cannot verify an item’s authenticity, a refund will be issued to the buyer and you shall cooperate with removing the item from marketplace circulation.

b. Your Role as Buyer.

By purchasing an Eligible Item on the eBay platform, you acknowledge and agree to inspection and photographing of the Eligible Item by the Authentication Partner prior to your receipt of the Eligible Item. In addition, if a return is requested, you acknowledge and agree to ship the Eligible Item with appropriate insurance coverage to the Authentication Partner and to inspect the Eligible Item before the return is processed or a refund is issued. More information on returns under the Authenticity Guarantee can be found here.

c. Circumvention of Buyer and Seller Requirements.

If buyer or seller circumvent, violate or are found to be non-compliant with the Terms, eBay reserves the right to take immediate action such as, but not limited to, account restriction or suspension and/or the transfer of fees and costs associated with Authenticity Guarantee.

d. Impact of Fraud Detection on Buyers and Sellers.

You acknowledge and agree that if the Authentication Partner detects fraud or suspects that an item is counterfeit, the item will be removed from marketplace circulation and its certificate will deactivate. If the slab is counterfeit or tampered with but the underlying coin is authentic and has not been compromised, the Authentication Partner may re-slab the coin and create a new certification before sending the coin to the buyer. In addition, eBay will work with the proper authorities as needed and reserves the right to confiscate or destroy any items determined to be counterfeit.

7. Data Privacy

eBay’s collection of personal information in connection with the Authenticity Guarantee service is governed by the User Privacy Notice that applies to your use of the eBay.com website or, as applicable, another eBay international site. In order for the Authentication Partner to provide the Services under Authenticity Guarantee, the order information, including, but not limited to: your name, address, email address, and telephone number, is provided to the Authentication Partner. By selling or purchasing an Eligible Item, you direct eBay to provide this order information to the Authentication Partner, who may disclose this information, however collected, to its affiliates, service providers, and other third parties (e.g., shipping carriers and revenue authorities) as necessary to perform the Services.

8. Service Updates and Discontinuation.

eBay has the right, but not the obligation, to alter, amend, replace, suspend temporarily, and/or discontinue permanently, the Authenticity Guarantee service, the name of Authenticity Guarantee, any of the Services provided, features, and/or functionality offered under Authenticity Guarantee, and/or the service providers used to provide any or all of the Services under Authenticity Guarantee, at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice to you.

9. Lost, Damaged, or Items Not Delivered.

Items that are lost or damaged during the Authenticity Guarantee process are protected by eBay’s Money Back Guarantee , subject to the eMBG guidelines. Items that are undeliverable or otherwise unclaimed after thirty (30) days will be considered abandoned and eBay reserves the right to donate or otherwise dispose of the item in our sole and absolute discretion.

10. Amendment.

eBay may amend these Terms, including applicable fees, at any time, by posting the amended terms on the eBay site. Except as stated elsewhere, all amended terms shall take effect immediately and automatically when posted on the eBay site.