eBay Partners With PSA To Authenticate Graded Trading Cards
UPDATE 7-7-22
eBay has now dropped the price for graded cards to $500 and added pack pulled autograph cards to authenticity guaranteed.
Authenticity Guarantee is available for individual sports trading cards, collectible card games, pack pulled autograph cards, and non‑sports trading cards $250 and above for ungraded cards, and $500 and above for pack pulled autograph and other graded cards. Check back for updates and new eligible price points.
Sets, lots, kits, decks, boxes, packs, graded or after-market autographed cards, art cards, redemption cards, and cards that contain additional items, embellishments, or memorabilia, such as patches, jersey, swatch, equipment, props, relics, costumes, or wardrobe cards do not qualify for Authenticity Guarantee at this time.
eBay has once again shaken up the authentication offering for trading cards, dropping the minimum price to $250 and introducing grading services provided in partnership with PSA.
Ungraded Trading Cards
Single, ungraded cards at $250 or above will still go through the previous authentication process with CGC or CSG (Certified Collectibles Group).
Purchase a card with the blue Authenticity Guarantee badge. Single ungraded cards $250+ are eligible for the service at this time.
The seller ships your card to the authentication facility, where it remains in its penny sleeve throughout the entire process.
Your card will go through a multi-point inspection process performed by CGC or CSG. The card is also checked against the listing details. Cards are not graded.
The card is placed into a larger penny sleeve and sealed with an authentication sticker. A QR code linking to authentication details is also provided. It's then placed into a padfolio and delivered directly to you via secure and discreet tracked shipping.
Graded Cards
Single, graded cards $2,000+ will be authenticated by PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator).
Purchase a card with the blue Authenticity Guarantee badge. Single graded cards $2,000+ are eligible for the service at this time. Learn more in our FAQs.
The seller ships your card to the authentication facility.
The PSA authenticator will check the sealed plastic holder for signs of tampering before verifying that the case and label are authentic to the grader. The label is also checked against the listing details. Cards are not regraded.
The card is placed into a protective sleeve and a QR code linking to authentication details is also provided. It's then placed into a padfolio and delivered directly to you via secure and discreet tracked shipping.
It's important to note PSA will not be grading or regrading cards - they are simply authenticating eligible cards which have already been graded.
As always, check the full terms and conditions carefully!
What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Authenticity Guarantee is available for individual sports trading cards, collectible card games, and non-sports trading cards $250 and above for ungraded cards, and $2,000 and above for graded cards. Check back for updates and new eligible price points.Sets, lots, kits, decks, boxes, packs, autograph cards, art cards, redemption cards, and cards that contain additional items, embellishments, or memorabilia, such as patches, jersey, swatch, equipment, props, relics, costumes, or wardrobe cards do not qualify for Authenticity Guarantee at this time.
U.S. territory locations (incl. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Armed forces postal locations are not currently covered. Listings that offer only local pickup or items shipped to P.O. Boxes will not be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. If the seller gifts a card free of charge to the buyer, the bonus card will not be eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee service.
Just 2 weeks ago they had dropped the price for ungraded to $350, so it's surprising to see another adjustment so soon.
I also noticed a message in Seller Hub today saying changes to Order Reports are "coming soon" to accommodate eBay Vault, so that appears to be moving along quickly as well.
And in other authentication news, eBay added luxury wallets to the authenticity guaranteed program for handbags today too.