Start preparing: New coin condition requirements coming to eBay

Rc5280 · April 17, 2026 3:54PM

This is an email (in quotes below) that I got today and I'm sure I'm not alone. Probably not a big deal in the overall, but anyway...

I'm wondering about the part regarding "For ungraded coins". How are they supposed to enforce that one?

Will a buyer have grounds for an easy out of the transaction buy simply disagreeing with the stated "condition category" the seller had chosen for the coin? ... Thoughts?

"Hello Rick，
We’re introducing standardized Condition requirements for Coins on eBay — designed to help you build buyer trust, improve visibility, and achieve stronger prices for your inventory.
What’s changing?

When listing coins in the categories below, you’ll now use structured condition details instead of relying on item specifics to describe condition:
• 253 – Coins: US
• 256 – Coins: World
• 3377 – Coins: Canada
• 4733 – Coins: Ancient
• 18466 – Coins: Medieval

For graded coins:
You’ll need to include:
→ Grading company
→ Grade (letter + numeric) (required)
→ Certification number (optional)

For ungraded coins:
You’ll select from clear, standardized condition categories, such as:
→ Uncirculated
→ Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated
→ Fine to Very Fine
→ Below Fine

Why this matters for you
This update creates a more consistent buying experience and makes your listings easier to compare and discover.
• Sell with more confidence → Buyers trust standardized condition
• Get discovered faster → Improved search and filtering
• Achieve better value → Clearer condition drives stronger pricing
Key dates to know
From early May – You’ll start seeing reminders in the listing flow
Early June – New listings must include condition requirements
Early July – Existing listings must be updated with condition requirements
Listings without condition data may be blocked or hidden after these dates.

What you should do now
1. Start using the new condition options when creating listings
2. Review and update your existing listings
3. If you use third-party tools or integrations, ensure they’re ready for these changes
Need help?
If you have questions or need support, visit help link.
This update is designed to make it easier for buyers to trust what they see — and for you to get the full value of what you sell.
Sincerely,
The eBay Team"

oldabeintx · April 17, 2026 4:24PM

What are the standardized condition options? The ones shown appear to be examples only.

MasonG · April 17, 2026 4:36PM

@Rc5280 said:
Probably not a big deal in the overall, but anyway...

If you've got a couple of thousand items in your store, editing each individually is no small thing.

MasonG · April 17, 2026 4:37PM

@oldabeintx said:
What are the standardized condition options? The ones shown appear to be examples only.

Coins & Paper Money

Uncirculated: The coin shows no signs of wear from circulation. All design details are sharp and fully intact, with most or all original mint luster preserved. Only minor handling marks from minting or storage may be visible

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated: The coin has very light wear, typically limited to the highest points of the design. Most details remain sharp, and some original luster may still be visible, especially in protected areas

Fine to Very Fine: The coin exhibits moderate, even wear from circulation. Major design elements are still clearly visible, but finer details are softened or partially worn away. Little to no luster remains

Below Fine: The coin shows heavy wear from extensive circulation. Major and minor design elements may be faint or missing, and key details like the date or inscriptions can be difficult to read

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/creating-managing-listings/item-conditions-category?id=4765

RedRocket · April 17, 2026 6:10PM

Better to trust too much and occasionally get burned rather than be a miserable old curmudgeon always lamenting on the foils and folly of eBay.

Rc5280 · April 17, 2026 6:12PM

@MasonG said:

@Rc5280 said:
Probably not a big deal in the overall, but anyway...

If you've got a couple of thousand items in your store, editing each individually is no small thing.

I'm a small-fry, as I have an occasional raw and a few slabs for sale fairly regularly, but I get your point for sure.

Maybe this is where eBay's new coin "experts" will be going?

"Photograde enforcement patrol" lol...

MasonG · April 17, 2026 6:20PM

@Rc5280 said:
Maybe this is where eBay's new coin "experts" will be going?

"Photograde enforcement patrol" lol...

Not gonna happen. There are over 2 million listings in the US Coins category. Anybody want to estimate how much time/how many "experts" would be required to grade them all? And do it over and over again as new items are listed?

jmlanzaf · April 17, 2026 6:21PM

@RedRocket said:
Better to trust too much and occasionally get burned rather than be a miserable old curmudgeon always lamenting on the foils and folly of eBay.

If you have half a brain, you won't get burned. Too many ebay protections.

I will...AGREE!!!

cheezhed · April 17, 2026 6:37PM

The problem is people listing problem coins but selecting uncirculated in the details. I don’t see the new rules changing that.

YQQ · April 17, 2026 6:41PM

so, does this eliminate / take away the differences / confusions of grading between a number of TPG's?
which one will they believe?
OR will the responsibility of grade / condition soley be with the respective TPG and their guaranties?
I think all this Feebay quabble was written by 2 AI's who were looking for emp;lyment????

RedRocket · April 17, 2026 6:57PM

@jmlanzaf said:

If you have half a brain, you won't get burned. Too many eBay protections.

I will...AGREE!!!

We will have to agree to AGREE.

TrickleCharge · April 18, 2026 6:16AM

A grade (letter and numeric) will be required for graded coins. How would one list details coins or those labeled genuine in TPG holders?

jmlanzaf · April 18, 2026 6:46AM

@TrickleCharge said:
A grade (letter and numeric) will be required for graded coins. How would one list details coins or those labeled genuine in TPG holders?

There is already a drop down for special notations.

TrickleCharge · April 18, 2026 7:22AM

@jmlanzaf said:

@TrickleCharge said:
A grade (letter and numeric) will be required for graded coins. How would one list details coins or those labeled genuine in TPG holders?

There is already a drop down for special notations.

So say someone is looking to list a coin like this one in June. What grade would they select in the drop-down?

davewesen · April 18, 2026 7:26AM

fine to very fine

surely eBay could use AI to roughly grade the coin pictures in such large grading groups. They would not need an army of enforcers although they may piss off many sellers if they start frequently cancelling BINs or auctions.

TrickleCharge · April 18, 2026 7:33AM

@davewesen said:
fine to very fine

surely eBay could use AI to roughly grade the coin pictures in such large grading groups. They would not need an army of enforcers although they may piss off many sellers if they start frequently cancelling BINs or auctions.

If it were listed raw, then yes fine to very fine would work, but to list it as a PCGS slabbed coin it seems that one will have to select a letter and numeric grade.

Creg · April 18, 2026 7:39AM

I posted this copied offer almost two years ago.

It languishes despite the falsity and the price.

Time is criterion that they don’t use to discriminate offers.

jmlanzaf · April 18, 2026 8:02AM

@TrickleCharge said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@TrickleCharge said:
A grade (letter and numeric) will be required for graded coins. How would one list details coins or those labeled genuine in TPG holders?

There is already a drop down for special notations.

So say someone is looking to list a coin like this one in June. What grade would they select in the drop-down?

Fine then details, i would assume. I don't know. Or maybe just details. I really don't see the problem.

scotty1419 · April 18, 2026 8:11AM

I really don't get this because most people with the 80% of junk on there - details/damaged will just list it as a higher grade to try for a better sale - and there's no real downside to doing so?

All for Ebay to have more item metrics in the listings?

TrickleCharge · April 18, 2026 8:30AM

@jmlanzaf said:

@TrickleCharge said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@TrickleCharge said:
A grade (letter and numeric) will be required for graded coins. How would one list details coins or those labeled genuine in TPG holders?

There is already a drop down for special notations.

So say someone is looking to list a coin like this one in June. What grade would they select in the drop-down?

Fine then details, i would assume. I don't know. Or maybe just details. I really don't see the problem.

'Fine' or 'details' will not be an option for slabbed coins in the near future, they must have a letter and numeric grade selected.

logger7 · April 18, 2026 8:50AM

Many of the biggest numismatic sellers in my state, CT, do not indicate grade levels on raw coins to avoid an "item not as described" case. I don't know whether there is any advantage to listing an item with a grade level.

jmlanzaf · April 18, 2026 9:46AM

@TrickleCharge said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@TrickleCharge said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@TrickleCharge said:
A grade (letter and numeric) will be required for graded coins. How would one list details coins or those labeled genuine in TPG holders?

There is already a drop down for special notations.

So say someone is looking to list a coin like this one in June. What grade would they select in the drop-down?

Fine then details, i would assume. I don't know. Or maybe just details. I really don't see the problem.

'Fine' or 'details' will not be an option for slabbed coins in the near future, they must have a letter and numeric grade selected.

You're being far too literal with the email which is just a summary. They might also simply count as ungraded. Time will tell.

jmlanzaf · April 18, 2026 9:56AM

@logger7 said:
Many of the biggest numismatic sellers in my state, CT, do not indicate grade levels on raw coins to avoid an "item not as described" case already. I don't know whether there is any advantage to listing an item with a grade level.

I always specify a grade on raw coins. I've never had a complaint.

MasonG · April 18, 2026 10:18AM

There is already a required item specific for "Uncirculated" or "Circulated" for US coins. That doesn't stop people from selecting the wrong one, and adding more grade levels to select from will not be an improvement.

Cougar1978 · April 18, 2026 10:35AM

@TrickleCharge said:
A grade (letter and numeric) will be required for graded coins. How would one list details coins or those labeled genuine in TPG holders?

MS60, XF40 etc

Rc5280 · April 18, 2026 11:13AM

@MasonG said:
There is already a required item specific for "Uncirculated" or "Circulated" for US coins. That doesn't stop people from selecting the wrong one, and adding more grade levels to select from will not be an improvement.

I can see a can of "item not as described" worms happening here for sellers.

Sellers will need to add some additional info/FYI's/disclaimers in the "Condition:" / "seller notes" section of their listings?

ambro51 · April 18, 2026 11:50AM

Hopefully zero feedback sellers will still be able to list damaged 1965 cents as No Mint Mark RARE ERROR Penny for $600,000.

logger7 · April 18, 2026 12:22PM

Fortunately they are not closing the door on uncertified coins and notes which all the major auction companies require.

oldabeintx · April 18, 2026 2:01PM

No dog in this hunt, but my guess no substantive change other than the extra hassle imposed on some sellers.

MasonG · April 18, 2026 2:21PM

@Rc5280 said:
I can see a can of "item not as described" worms happening here for sellers.

Currently on eBay, Item Specifics say "Uncirculated"...

This kind of stuff has been listed all along so I'm guessing the number of "Not as described" claims won't increase significantly. Aside from making work for sellers with current listings that need to be updated, probably not much else will change.

jmlanzaf · April 18, 2026 2:30PM

@Rc5280 said:

@MasonG said:
There is already a required item specific for "Uncirculated" or "Circulated" for US coins. That doesn't stop people from selecting the wrong one, and adding more grade levels to select from will not be an improvement.

I can see a can of "item not as described" worms happening here for sellers.

Sellers will need to add some additional info/FYI's/disclaimers in the "Condition:" / "seller notes" section of their listings?

People overestimate this. I have free returns. I get less than 5 per year on approximately 2000 sales.

ProofCollection · April 18, 2026 4:12PM

It's an improvement over selecting "Brand New" or "Like New" as a condition which is what they currently have.

I'm just hoping they let us accurate reflect the grade and have all permutations, but I bet they won't.

Such as MS66RD, PR69DCAM, MS67FB, MS65DMPL, MS66FS. Don't lump my DMPL Morgans in with your plebian non-reflective specimens!

MasonG · April 18, 2026 4:21PM

@ProofCollection said:
Such as MS66RD, PR69DCAM, MS67FB, MS65DMPL, MS66FS. Don't lump my DMPL Morgans in with your plebian non-reflective specimens!

Prediction: Nothing will stop people from listing their coins using any of those permutations regardless of what's on the label.

Rc5280 · April 18, 2026 5:01PM

Well, we'll see what happens. Sounds like somewhat of a nothing burger from the veterans (aside from the updating work) here.

I take great care/pride in the accurate presentation of my listings, so I have no problem with this.

It's kind of sad seeing all of the bogus, fake, and inaccurate listings out there.

Connecticoin · April 18, 2026 5:58PM

The only > @jmlanzaf said:

@logger7 said:
Many of the biggest numismatic sellers in my state, CT, do not indicate grade levels on raw coins to avoid an "item not as described" case already. I don't know whether there is any advantage to listing an item with a grade level.

I always specify a grade on raw coins. I've never had a complaint.

I do too. I rarely have complaints either, had maybe maybe 3 returns in 500 transactions, (I do miss hairlines or subtle problems now and then). If you know how to grade and take decent photos that helps minimize complaints and returns.

Connecticoin · June 28, 2026 8:25PM

So when you list a coin, in the new dropdown box for grading service, you can choose from various "third world" slabs (such as PCI). So has ebay allowed them back, or can you just describe the slab but not a numerical grade?

rte592 · June 28, 2026 10:26PM

Coin Grading is Subjective...just put in the listing that the buyer needs to look at the pictures because that is part of the description.

jmlanzaf · June 29, 2026 4:29AM

@Connecticoin said:
So when you list a coin, in the new dropdown box for grading service, you can choose from various "third world" slabs (such as PCI). So has ebay allowed them back, or can you just describe the slab but not a numerical grade?

When it first started, it still wouldn't let me put a numerical grade on a PCI slab. I haven't tried recently.

jmlanzaf · June 29, 2026 4:30AM

@rte592 said:
Coin Grading is Subjective...just put in the listing that the buyer needs to look at the pictures because that is part of the description.

That doesn't help with the search function.

Samets · June 29, 2026 7:31AM

I'm looking forward to this for help with basic sorting. If I know I'm looking for a coin in mint state condition today, I can't simply select uncirculated checkbox and hope I get everything I need to look at since too many sellers will not select even the basics so I have to wade through hundreds or more listings where the coins are nowhere near what I want. Once this search goes live, I'll be at least able to go through the listings that the seller marked their opinion grade on and pick out what I need. I only need their opinion to help with weeding out the listings that I have zero interest in.

MasonG · June 29, 2026 8:20AM

@Samets said:
Once this search goes live, I'll be at least able to go through the listings that the seller marked their opinion grade on and pick out what I need. I only need their opinion to help with weeding out the listings that I have zero interest in.

Good luck with that. It's true that sellers will have to select a range of grades (Uncirculated, AU to XF, VF to F or Under F) but there's no way to confirm the grade of the coin actually matches what was selected at the time of listing. All eBay is doing is making sure the seller selects something from the list.

eBay has required sellers to select "Circulated" or "Uncirculated" for a long time now and plenty of sellers don't even get that right. It's highly unlikely that more refined grading ranges will result in more accurate searches.

Samets · June 29, 2026 11:39AM

@MasonG said:

@Samets said:
Once this search goes live, I'll be at least able to go through the listings that the seller marked their opinion grade on and pick out what I need. I only need their opinion to help with weeding out the listings that I have zero interest in.

Good luck with that. It's true that sellers will have to select a range of grades (Uncirculated, AU to XF, VF to F or Under F) but there's no way to confirm the grade of the coin actually matches what was selected at the time of listing. All eBay is doing is making sure the seller selects something from the list.

eBay has required sellers to select "Circulated" or "Uncirculated" for a long time now and plenty of sellers don't even get that right. It's highly unlikely that more refined grading ranges will result in more accurate searches.

I don't doubt that you're right but my hope is this will show me less results to weed through.

I don't care what the seller claims the grade to be. I will be the judge of that but if this takes away 10, 20, 30 or more percent of results I don't even care to see, it's a win in my book.

Time will tell.

cmerlo1 · June 29, 2026 12:17PM

I listed almost 20 coins this weekend, and I liked it because it felt faster. One of them was uncertified, and I really didn't have a problem with the condition selections.

Start preparing: New coin condition requirements coming to eBay

Comments

Leave a Comment

Categories