eBay Mandates Authenticity Guarantee for High-Value Coins

eBay is requiring sellers to send high-value coins to its authentication facility once they sell as it expands its Authenticity Guarantee program to the Coins category this month. eBay will cover the cost of authentication for coins listed for $500 or higher when they sell – even if a seller accepts a Best Offer below $500.

eBay’s partner team of authenticators 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 (with signature required for coins $1,500 and above).

eBay announced the policy last week and told sellers, “since this service will ramp up over several weeks, your coins may not immediately be eligible for authentication.” According to the August 18th announcement, “Authenticity Guarantee is designed to drive velocity in high-value coins by helping buyers purchase with more confidence and backing sellers with enhanced post-authentication protections.”

Authenticity Guarantee is mandated for single graded US and World coins, and single raw US coins, $500 and above. Sets, lots, collections, and mystery products are not eligible.

eBay told sellers that if their coin is eligible, the Authenticity Guarantee badge will appear automatically – there is no way to opt-out. Sellers may not combine shipping for items that fall under the Authenticity Guarantee mandate.

Coins listed in the bullion category are not eligible for Authenticity Guarantee.

In cases where sellers offer returns, eBay instructs buyers to send returns 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.”

eBay said its Authenticity Guarantee program is not the same as the eBay Authenticate program 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.”