eBay launched its Authenticity Guarantee program for trading cards like baseball cards in 2021 to give buyers confidence they are receiving authentic items. Through this program, eBay aims to verify the authenticity of high-value collectibles and ensure fans can add real pieces to their collections, not fakes.
Trading cards, especially vintage and highly valuable baseball cards, have long been targets of counterfeiters. With millions of dollars on the line for rare finds, dishonest sellers have tried to pass off forgeries as the real thing. This damaged the collecting hobby and left buyers frustrated or out of pocket when discovering an item was not truly a rare 1920s Babe Ruth rookie card as described.
eBay’s response was to partner with third-party authenticators like James Spence Authentication (JSA) and Beckett Authentication Services to verify cards sold through the Authenticity Guarantee. Here is how the process works:
Sellers pay a nominal fee to enroll qualifying trading cards in the program. This covers the cost of authentication and gives buyers confidence. Eligible items are cards valued at $250 or more, though some categories have a higher minimum.
Once listed with the Authenticity Guarantee badge, the winning buyer receives the card as usual. Then, the seller ships the item to the authenticator rather than directly to the buyer. Experts at the partner firms thoroughly examine the card for signs of tampering, forgeries, alterations or anything else suspicious.
Authenticators consider various factors like the card stock, centering, printing quality, signatures and more compared to examples known to be genuine. They also check for modern printing techniques or materials that would indicate a fake. Computerized matching may identify reprinted images. Forensic analysis is used when doubts remain.
If authenticated, the verified card is then shipped from the authenticator directly to the buyer. They receive a official COA (Certificate of Authenticity) detailing the findings. Any card that cannot be confirmed real is rejected and the sale is cancelled, protecting both buyer and seller.
For buyers, the Authenticity Guarantee removes uncertainty that a big purchase might turn out to be fake. They can add that rare 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle or 1909 Honus Wagner to their collection with peace of mind. Sellers also benefit from the program legitimizing their high-end items and making buyers feel secure enough to pay top dollar.
The authentication process takes about two weeks on average once shipping is factored in. But with rare exceptions, every card that passes through the program so far has been found to be genuine. This shows counterfeiters are being effectively weeded out, restoring confidence in the trading card marketplace.
Some additional details:
Cards valued under $250 can still be enrolled in the program for an extra fee on top of the regular listing price. This provides authentication for items that may still be significant to some collectors.
While most cards are verified as real, on rare occasions authenticators have uncovered forgeries. In these cases, the item is rejected and the seller is banned from future Authenticity Guarantee listings due to violating the program’s terms.
Authentication does not guarantee a card’s grade. It only confirms authenticity, not the condition, centering or other factors graded companies assess. Coins and other collectibles now have Authenticity Guarantee programs as well through the same partner companies.
Top-tier authenticators like JSA and BGS/BVG/SGC have decades of experience examining and verifying collectibles. Their experts can spot even expertly made fakes by identifying subtle inconsistencies in materials, printing or other details.
To further combat counterfeits, the partners use sophisticated digital imaging and forensic tools like microscopes, spectrum analyzers and more during the authentication process beyond just visual inspection.
While a small fee, the program has been popular with buyers. Over 90% of items enrolled actually sell, showing it gives collectors confidence to spend big on what they verify are truly rare finds for their collections.
EBay’s Authenticity Guarantee has been a success at restoring trust in the trading card marketplace. By leveraging experts to verify items, it protects both buyers and sellers. Collectors can add that prized Mickey Mantle or Honus Wagner to their collections with certainty it is the real thing. While counterfeits still circulate outside the program, it has made a big impact at weeding out fakes on the largest card sales platform. Most importantly, it has reinvigorated the hobby by letting the real rare gems shine through once more.