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apologies if this has been asked elsewhere about the new eBay "authentication" policy

I am neither buying nor selling high priced coins on eBay so this doesn't really affect me, but I am wondering about those who do a lot of business on there for expensive coins.

It seems like sellers now have to ship their coins (is it over $500 I believe?) to some third-party location for authentication and verification, etc. And the third-party happens to be PCGS.

My question is, what if you ship using branded packaging with, say, your company's logo, website, etc? Will those be sanitized during the review process? In other words, is PCGS going to extract the coin from your packaging (that might be branded), remove it from your flip, authenticate and verify it, then place it into different packaging (maybe a new flip) and then forward it on? Or if the coin is in say a Capital Plastics holder, or an album, etc., would it be extracted for authentication and then end up in some "other" packating?

And if you included a business card, or let's say a freebie coin (something I used to do long ago), will those be forwarded along with the actual item?

Official PCGS account of:

www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com

Comments

  • Options
    TrickleChargeTrickleCharge Posts: 516 ✭✭✭✭

    If you are not buying or selling there, why do you care? I suggest you read through the other threads on the topic and you will find your answers.

  • Options

    To be more specific, I am "not buying or selling there" YET..... hence why I care.

    Official PCGS account of:

    www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com

  • Options
    U1chicagoU1chicago Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭✭✭

    From the photos I have seen for slabs, they get packaged in eBay branded packaging with a seal that says authenticated plus a card that mentions the program. The terms also mention that they can throw out anything the seller adds to the package. I have not seen a raw example yet. Also multi coin listings should not be eligible so an album or set of coins will not be authenticated and just forwarded to the buyer (someone on the forum mentioned this with a big lot of junk Kennedy Half Dollars that went to the center but then were deemed ineligible and just forwarded to the buyer).

  • Options
    mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 7,314 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TallahasseeCoinClub said:
    I am neither buying nor selling high priced coins on eBay so this doesn't really affect me, but I am wondering about those who do a lot of business on there for expensive coins.

    It seems like sellers now have to ship their coins (is it over $500 I believe?) to some third-party location for authentication and verification, etc. And the third-party happens to be PCGS.

    My question is, what if you ship using branded packaging with, say, your company's logo, website, etc? Will those be sanitized during the review process? In other words, is PCGS going to extract the coin from your packaging (that might be branded), remove it from your flip, authenticate and verify it, then place it into different packaging (maybe a new flip) and then forward it on? Or if the coin is in say a Capital Plastics holder, or an album, etc., would it be extracted for authentication and then end up in some "other" packating?

    And if you included a business card, or let's say a freebie coin (something I used to do long ago), will those be forwarded along with the actual item?

    This question has been asked and it's a good one. Noone here has been able to answer the question. Maybe it's time for PCGS to try and answer this question.

    "Two things are infinite: human stupidity and the universe; and I'm not sure about the universe."
    -Albert Einstein-

    Mistakes are natural. But repeated mistakes without reflection are something else. That may be the “stupidity” he was referring to. In research, he admitted uncertainty openly. “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” This shows humility. Even a Nobel laureate accepted doubt. That humility makes the quote less cynical and more observational.

  • Options
    mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 7,314 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TrickleCharge said:
    If you are not buying or selling there, why do you care? I suggest you read through the other threads on the topic and you will find your answers.

    You won't find the answer in other threads here about the ebay/PCGS authentication program. It's a mystery.

    "Two things are infinite: human stupidity and the universe; and I'm not sure about the universe."
    -Albert Einstein-

    Mistakes are natural. But repeated mistakes without reflection are something else. That may be the “stupidity” he was referring to. In research, he admitted uncertainty openly. “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” This shows humility. Even a Nobel laureate accepted doubt. That humility makes the quote less cynical and more observational.

  • Options
    TrickleChargeTrickleCharge Posts: 516 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 28, 2026 12:02PM

    @mr1931S said:

    @TrickleCharge said:
    If you are not buying or selling there, why do you care? I suggest you read through the other threads on the topic and you will find your answers.

    You won't find the answer in other threads here about the ebay/PCGS authentication program. It's a mystery.

    It's in there and also stated right in the terms of service. Things are often mysterious to those who refuse to look.

    "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."

  • Options
    mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 7,314 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TrickleCharge said:
    I tho> @mr1931S said:

    @TrickleCharge said:
    If you are not buying or selling there, why do you care? I suggest you read through the other threads on the topic and you will find your answers.

    You won't find the answer in other threads here about the ebay/PCGS authentication program. It's a mystery.

    It's in there and also stated right in the terms of service. Things are often mysterious to those who refuse to look.

    "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."

    Does ebay define "ineligible item"?

    OP's question is:
    "...what if you ship using branded packaging with, say, your company's logo, website, etc? Will those be sanitized during the review process? In other words, is PCGS going to extract the coin from your packaging (that might be branded), remove it from your flip, authenticate and verify it, then place it into different packaging (maybe a new flip) and then forward it on? Or if the coin is in say a Capital Plastics holder, or an album, etc., would it be extracted for authentication and then end up in some "other" packating?"

    Pretty simple question that deserves an answer other than some I've heard here like, "ebay is not for everyone". Why can't the question be answered directly? Branded packaging. If the coin is removed from the branded packaging for verification does it get returned to the branded package after verification. This is an important question. Don't return coin to the package as sent by the seller qualifies the item as a SNAD, does it not?

    "Two things are infinite: human stupidity and the universe; and I'm not sure about the universe."
    -Albert Einstein-

    Mistakes are natural. But repeated mistakes without reflection are something else. That may be the “stupidity” he was referring to. In research, he admitted uncertainty openly. “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” This shows humility. Even a Nobel laureate accepted doubt. That humility makes the quote less cynical and more observational.

  • Options
    MasonGMasonG Posts: 7,593 ✭✭✭✭✭

    List for sale and ship coins only. If you want to sell special holders, list them separately in the Publications and Supplies category.

    Problem solved.

  • Options
    TrickleChargeTrickleCharge Posts: 516 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 28, 2026 12:04PM

    @mr1931S said:

    @TrickleCharge said:

    @mr1931S said:

    @TrickleCharge said:
    If you are not buying or selling there, why do you care? I suggest you read through the other threads on the topic and you will find your answers.

    You won't find the answer in other threads here about the ebay/PCGS authentication program. It's a mystery.

    It's in there and also stated right in the terms of service. Things are often mysterious to those who refuse to look.

    "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."

    Does ebay define "ineligible item"?

    OP's question is:
    "...what if you ship using branded packaging with, say, your company's logo, website, etc? Will those be sanitized during the review process? In other words, is PCGS going to extract the coin from your packaging (that might be branded), remove it from your flip, authenticate and verify it, then place it into different packaging (maybe a new flip) and then forward it on? Or if the coin is in say a Capital Plastics holder, or an album, etc., would it be extracted for authentication and then end up in some "other" packating?"

    Pretty simple question that deserves an answer other than some I've heard here like, "ebay is not for everyone". Why can't the question be answered directly? Branded packaging. If the coin is removed from the branded packaging for verification does it get returned to the branded package after verification. This is an important question. Don't return coin to the package as sent by the seller qualifies the item as a SNAD, does it not?

    I think I figured out a solution. I'll list a dateless buffalo nickel for $1500 and put it in a branded package. Buy it and let me know how it arrives. If it's not in the branded package, file a SNAD. Let me know when you are ready for me to list it.

  • Options
    IkesTIkesT Posts: 4,612 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TrickleCharge said:
    I think I figured out a solution. I'll list a dateless buffalo nickel for $1500 and put it in a branded package. Buy it and let me know how it arrives. If it's not in the branded package, file a SNAD. Let me know when you are ready for me to list it.> @mr1931S said:

    @TrickleCharge said:
    I tho> @mr1931S said:

    @TrickleCharge said:
    If you are not buying or selling there, why do you care? I suggest you read through the other threads on the topic and you will find your answers.

    You won't find the answer in other threads here about the ebay/PCGS authentication program. It's a mystery.

    It's in there and also stated right in the terms of service. Things are often mysterious to those who refuse to look.

    "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."

    Does ebay define "ineligible item"?

    OP's question is:
    "...what if you ship using branded packaging with, say, your company's logo, website, etc? Will those be sanitized during the review process? In other words, is PCGS going to extract the coin from your packaging (that might be branded), remove it from your flip, authenticate and verify it, then place it into different packaging (maybe a new flip) and then forward it on? Or if the coin is in say a Capital Plastics holder, or an album, etc., would it be extracted for authentication and then end up in some "other" packating?"

    Pretty simple question that deserves an answer other than some I've heard here like, "ebay is not for everyone". Why can't the question be answered directly? Branded packaging. If the coin is removed from the branded packaging for verification does it get returned to the branded package after verification. This is an important question. Don't return coin to the package as sent by the seller qualifies the item as a SNAD, does it not?

    I think I figured out a solution. I'll list a dateless buffalo nickel for $1500 and put it in a branded package. Buy it and let me know how it arrives. If it's not in the branded package, file a SNAD. Let me know when you are ready for me to list it.

    He needs that money for tickets to the Captain & Tennille Tribute Band.

  • Options
    mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 7,314 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Friday night dumb comedy hour is here.

    "Two things are infinite: human stupidity and the universe; and I'm not sure about the universe."
    -Albert Einstein-

    Mistakes are natural. But repeated mistakes without reflection are something else. That may be the “stupidity” he was referring to. In research, he admitted uncertainty openly. “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” This shows humility. Even a Nobel laureate accepted doubt. That humility makes the quote less cynical and more observational.

  • Options
    jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 43,084 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They put it in an authentication box and send it that way. I don't know if they include all enclosures or not.> @MasonG said:

    List for sale and ship coins only. If you want to sell special holders, list them separately in the Publications and Supplies category.

    Problem solved.

    This particular problem appears to be here to stay...

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

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