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My experience with ebays authenticity program
Morgan13
Posts: 2,843 ✭✭✭✭✭
If this has already been discussed I apologize. I looked and didnt see much.
I purchased the coin on 10/4 and it arrived today 10/16. I have no problem with that. What surprised me is that it came FedEx and in pretty fancy packaging. This must have cost ebay some good money. It makes me wonder how long they can continue this without raising fees. It had a cardboard outer box with this inside-
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
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Was there any paperwork from the seller, or new paperwork created by eBay/PCGS to tie the coin to the order and/or seller? I'm wondering if this process also means that any efforts for a seller to build their own name will be lost on higher-value items.
No paperwork
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
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Expensive packaging, labor costs, and ever increasing postage rates can only mean one thing. #MATH
Dave
Mine came the same way.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
The one I had go through their authentication process did not come with the nice cardboard packaging. Just a cellophane wrapper with the sticker with the QR code on it. Not complaining. Just sharing my observations. It also, of course, took some extra time to get from FL to CA and then back to me in MO.
@AdamL we are not all Big Shots like (@robec) Bob
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eBay has been running an authentication program of some sort for nine years. They haven't charged for it yet.
Prediction: Eventually, fees will go up and a bunch of people will holler "See? I was right! Feepay sucks!"
What, for cards? Your prediction is spot on. Coin sellers will, in the not too distant future, get to pay for that "free" card authentication that's been going on for 9 years in addition to TPG coin holder authentication.
“Never let yesterday use up too much of today.”
Will Rogers
Hey look, it's the No Apostrophe for a Possessive variety!
They started 9 years early
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Fortunately, there is no forum rule against nonsense...
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Yes, eBay needs to hire a grammarian.
If you had told me how much effort some people would be willing to put into finding fault with eBay for trying to cut down on the sale of counterfeits many of those same people complain the site is infested with, I'd have said you were nuts.
I'd have been wrong about that.
I bet the number of fake Morgan Dollars being offered is dropping fast. Back to the flea market?
I have/had several coins listed over $1000, not all of them went through this process, which seems kind of odd.
I guess the 23rd can't get here fast enough........
Unknown.......................................October 16, 2026 2:28PM
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"Memento mori !"
So if coins are already graded - why does eBay go through this? Gauranteeing the slab AND the coin?
"Memento mori !"
What type of service was it shipped with FedEx?
Some categories, like bullion, are not eligible for the program even if it is over $500.
Sellers will have to get more creative to build their own name on these over $500 item. It might be worthwhile to get your own sticker and put it on the slab (a logo and an email or website address should be able to fit without covering anything important on the slab).
What percentage of fake silver dollars coming out of China are worth more than $500 and can be offered on eBay without having to go through their authentication program?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I believe it was ground shipping.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP BruceS bigjpst
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The cardboard box that the authenticity item comes in probably cost eBay less than a dollar.
Shipping via FedEx seems pretty standard across the other auction houses like Heritage, Stack's and GC. Even if eBay does eventually charge for shipping, would that be any different than elsewhere?
The coin is tied to the listing via the QR code on the sticker. For anyone upset that eBay isn't including the seller's personal info, put yourself in their shoes. What does eBay get by including a business card directing someone to buy outside of eBay in the future? Do Heritage or GC allow the consigner to include personal info or candy in with lots they have consigned and sold?
I know eBay isn't exactly like some of the other auction houses, but it's also not like selling something on a no fee platform like Craigslist or Facebook.
Virtually every 93-S and many of the CCs.
Disappointing news that they’re shipping FedEx. My USPS mailbox is under lock and key, but FedEx just leaves parcels anywhere. I will have to have them held at a FedEx facility for pickup.
Superb collections are built more by omission than by addition.
The question is how much is this costing ebay? $25, $40? PCGS turns a quick buck with workers quickly identifying real vs. fake coins, slabs. Probably doesn't cost that much in labor. On $500 plus items ebay makes $50 plus.
In other words, a very small percentage.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
For those concerned with how much this program is costing eBay (there appear to be quite a few), just think about how much more it would cost to insure that all the enclosures sent along with the coin (invoices, pens, candies, commemorative t-shirts, etc.) are reliably tracked and stored so that they could be sent along with the coin after authentication.
Grammarian on staff is not in their business model.
“Never let yesterday use up too much of today.”
Will Rogers
I don't think it's ebay. It's PCGS. They probably don't want to keep track of a bunch of random inserts and freebies.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I bet it's less than $25, possibly far less. It's a quick look and no value guarantee.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
You could say the same of PCGS.
I don't understand the concern with cost. When GC hired Phil Arnold, I don't remember any comments about how much it was going to cost and how GC would inevitably have to raise their fees to pay his salary. In both cases I'm pretty sure the overall benefit outweighs any increased cost.
Because it's eBay. Some people are apparently afraid they're going to do something beneficial for the hobby without raising their already exorbitant (/s) fees.
I’m going to try harder to buy directly from sellers’ websites, if I’m familiar with the seller. I often do that anyway to save money, but have been lazy about it. The authentication process takes too long and I don’t need it in most cases.
I've gotten a couple Morgans for the set since they started the program.
The first -a PCGS took so long to arrive at the authenticators, they shipped it on to me FedEx.
The others, with regular delivery timing to the authenticators came onto me with more 'regular' shipping.
I like the plastic packaging for the slabs, but when it's raw, the eBay void sticker basically covers the entire reverse of the coin. Rather annoying!
I'd be happy keeping them 'encased' if I could see the coin better. One raw also came with the 'bonus' of a hair inside the sealed 2x2...
Takes too long. I’m likely going to buy directly from dealers’ websites. Don’t buy raw US. And don’t buy from off-the-wall dealers anyway. (Unless well under$500.)
Luckily this has not been my experience. I paid for a coin on eBay Monday 19th and it arrived to my house from eBay authentication yesterday, Friday 23rd at 1:04pm. I was even a bit shocked. It was FedEx’d overnight.
It seems to me the time frame from winning/BIN on eBay, shipped to PCGS and then to you all depends on where the original shipper is and where you are. I’ve had to use it 3 times now. 2 of the coins were from the mid US and one from the east cost. Me also being on the east cost made the coins have to travel some distance for the whole process. It’s been taking anywhere from 2-3 weeks for mine.
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We currently include a rewards card for each purchase someone makes from our eBay store. PCGS (under contract with eBay) has been removing and discarding these rewards cards. We have confirmed that the cards are not making it to our customers for purchases that go through eBay's authentication program administered by PCGS. PCGS (the host of this forum) has the ability to negotiate the contract with eBay to allow for dealer "includes" to be passed on. PCGS should reconsider and negotiate with eBay in good faith to allow these through as it is to the benefit of everyone involved, including their large dealer network.
Authenticated Coins was founded in 2020 and has proudly served over 4,000 customers. See our full inventory at AuthenticatedCoins.com.
I'm not sure why we are blaming PCGS. I would assume that PCGS would want extra to keep track of inserts. Maybe eBay simply didn't want to pay for the upgrade.
You can send the rewards cards digitally.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
There is no need to include a physical card. You can generate and send a private digital coupon code directly to your buyer to be used on future purchases from your eBay store.
I sold an NGC certified coin for $1300 on ebay shipping included; I think I had paid $1100 for it. I overnighted it to the customer so it went to CA for the authentication. It took a while to get there so long that usps had to refund me "guaranteed" time. Then it gets delivered to the customer in Minnesota, FedEx left in mailbox no signature required. I'm a little concerned that they're cutting corners, how can you ship out something of that value without a required signature because insurance is not going to cover losses for deliveries without them?
I'd imagine after you get it to the certification center, ebay has responsibility?
As mentioned, once the coin is authenticated, you will be paid and PCGS/eBay take care of getting the coin to the buyer (your part as the seller is complete once they Authenticate the coin).
Screen shot from the FAQ regarding Signature Required:
This might be a FedEx issue, not an eBay issue. On the FedEx tracking under shipment facts-services, does it say direct signature required? The FedEx drivers are supposed to obtain a signature if that option was selected, but they don't always do so.
It depends on what they are using for insurance. If they have private insurance or are self-insured, then FedEx with no signature might be acceptable.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Same think here on a $700 purchase. The left it on my deck. Good thing they got the house right.
I trust my neighbors but what's to stop the rip off artists stealing from people.
There's plenty to be concerned about and I think its only a matter of time, if it hasn't already occurred.
We got ebay, pcgs and FedEx all over it.
It serves a good purpose but it still needs to be ironed out and I think costs are going to rise on purchases over $500 for the seller or buyer or both.
Just my thoughts.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP BruceS bigjpst
JWP PROMETHIUS88
People keep saying prices will go up. So- how much are you willing to pay for an authenticity guarantee?
Not much but once ebay gets done with this quarter which I believe is a test, the bean counters will forecast cost absorption and then we will know.
It may be here to stay but nothings free especially were ebay is concerned.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP BruceS bigjpst
JWP PROMETHIUS88