Stamps, currency, and coins policy

Listings for replica paper money (color, and black and white) must follow these guidelines:

• Items are one-sided
• Items are less than 75% or greater than 150% of the size of the genuine item
• Listings include an image of the actual paper currency being sold. Listings with stock photos or images that are dark, out of focus, edited, or misleading aren't allowed
• Listings must clearly state that the item is a "reproduction," "replica," or "copy" in both the title and description
• Copies of currently commercially exchangeable notes are not allowed
• Altered notes intended to deceive a collector (whether the present seller made the alteration or not) are not allowed

Find out more about the laws related to images and reproductions of money - opens in new window or tab.

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 us to meet certain minimum objective criteria.

Single coins listed in the Coins & Paper Money > Coins: US category with a starting bid price, reserve price, or Buy It Now price of $2,500 or more must receive a numeric grade from an approved grading company, and the numeric grade must be included in the listing. This requirement doesn't apply to bullion listings or collections, lots, or sets listed within the Coins & Paper Money > Coins: US category.

Approved grading companies:

• Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) - opens in new window or tab
• Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) - opens in new window or tab
• American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS) - opens in new window or tab
• Independent Coin Graders (ICG) - opens in new window or tab

Criteria for approved grading companies

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

• The service has graded at least 50,000 pre-1956 coins
• The service provides a live, online population report
• There are at least 3 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 3 should be members of the American Numismatic Association
• The service provides a written buyback guarantee for coins later determined to be counterfeit, damaged, misgraded, or misattributed
• Slabbed coins must be encased in a unique, tamper resistant holder with anti-counterfeiting measures (such as a hologram or other method)
• The service enables online verification of unique serial numbers

If a coin isn't graded by one of these grading companies, it's considered raw and must meet the requirements for raw coin listings. A coin graded by a non-approved grading company can be listed, but the numeric grade can't be included in the title, description, or item specifics. You can't include an image of the coin in its graded holder if that image shows a grade that is not completely obscured and unreadable on the photo.

We're always looking for companies that meet our grading criteria. Coin grading companies that meet these standards are encouraged to contact us.

A raw coin is one that hasn't been graded by a coin grading company, or has been graded, but not by an approved grading company.

Listings for raw coins must follow these guidelines:

• The 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 photos of the front and back of the coin being sold, and you are authorized to use the photos. Stock photos and images that are dark, out of focus, edited, or misleading aren't allowed
• Photos or scans of coins in holders from a non-approved grading company cannot show a grade or any text describing the grade or quality of the coin. The grade and text related to the grade must be completely obscured and unreadable
• The starting, reserve, or Buy It Now price for the coin is less than $2,500

Listings for bullion must follow these guidelines:

• Replica, copy, counterfeit, plated, or clad bullion isn't allowed, including items described as German silver or nickel silver
• Accurately describe the precious metal weight content, purity (fineness) and brand (refiner or mint) of your bullion item
• If an item includes an assay card or certificate of authenticity (COA) then the seller must show a valid picture and accurately describe the packaging
• Include a photo of both sides of the actual coin, bar, or other item being sold and be sure you are authorized to use the photo. Stock photos and images that are dark, out of focus, edited, or misleading aren't allowed
• You can't list gold-plated jewelry anywhere within the Coins & Paper Money > Bullion > Gold > Scrap and Recovered Gold category. You can list scrap and recovered gold in the Coins & Paper Money>Bullion>Gold>Scrap and Recovered Gold category if it is accurately described and not replica, copy, counterfeit, plated or clad bullion

A graded note is one that has received a numeric grade (Choice Uncirculated 64 or Very Choice New 64 for example) from a currency grading company. This numeric grade can be included in the title, description, or item specifics of the listing only if the paper currency has been graded by a company that has been found by us to meet certain minimum objective criteria.

Single notes listed in the Coins & Paper Money > Paper Money: US or Coins & Paper Money > Paper Money: World with a starting bid price, reserve price, or Buy It Now price of $2,500 or more must receive a numeric grade from an approved grading company, and the numeric grade must be included in the listing. This requirement doesn't apply to collections, lots, or sets listed within the Coins & Paper Money > Paper Money: US or Coins & Paper Money > Paper Money: World.

Approved grading companies:

• Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) - opens in new window or tab
• Professional Currency Grading Service (PCGS Currency) - opens in new window or tab
• Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS Banknote Grading) - opens in new window or tab

Criteria for approved grading companies

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

• The service has graded at least 100,000 pieces of currency
• The service provides a live, online & accurate population report of graded currency
• At least one of the company principals should be a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild
• There are at least 2 graders on staff who are considered currency experts within the trade. A currency expert is an individual who has worked as a full-time numismatist (with a specialty in currency) for at least 5 years. Both graders should be members in good standing of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and Professional Currency Dealer Association (PCDA)
• The service provides a written buyback guarantee for currency later determined to be counterfeit, damaged, repaired, misgraded, or misattributed (not inclusive of mechanical or typographical errors related to the holder itself). This guarantee must apply to ALL notes encapsulated under the brand name of the currency
• Third-party-graded (certified) currency must be encased in a unique, tamper resistant holder with anti-counterfeiting measures (such as a hologram or other method)
• The service enables online verification of unique certification numbers

If a piece of currency isn't graded by one of these grading companies, it's considered raw and must meet the requirements for raw paper currency listings. A piece of currency graded by a non-approved grading company can be listed, but the numeric grade can't be included in the title, description, or item specifics. You can't include an image of the note in its graded holder if that image shows a grade that is not completely obscured and unreadable on the photo.

We're always looking for companies that meet our grading criteria. Currency grading companies that meet these standards are encouraged to contact us.

Raw paper currency are items that haven't been graded by a currency grading company, or has been graded, but not by an approved grading company.

Listings for raw paper currency must follow these guidelines:

• A numeric grade (such as 67, Choice Uncirculated 64, Extremely Fine 40, VF30) 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 photos of the front and back of the currency being sold and you are authorized to use the photos. Stock photos and images that are dark, out of focus, edited, or misleading aren't allowed
• Photos or scans of paper currency in holders from a non-approved grading company cannot show a grade or any text describing the grade or quality of the paper currency. The grade and wording describing the grade or quality of the item must be completely obscured and unreadable
• The starting, reserve, or Buy It Now price for the paper currency is less than $2,500

Listings for stamps must follow these guidelines:

• 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. Stock photos and images that are dark, out of focus, edited, or misleading aren't allowed
• 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 - opens in new window or tab.

Allowed

• Original stamps
• Replica stamps that are clearly marked