The Biggest Photo Mistakes Coin Sellers Make on eBay
Spend enough time browsing coin listings on eBay and a pattern emerges. The listings that struggle — low bids, no bids, relisted again and again — almost always have the same problems in the photos.
Not bad coins. Bad photos.
The good news is these mistakes are easy to fix once you know what they are. Here's what to avoid.
Shooting on the Wrong Background
A coin sitting on a wooden table, a patterned cloth, or a kitchen counter is a distraction. The buyer's eye doesn't know where to look. Dark, plain, and matte — black felt is the standard for a reason. It costs almost nothing and immediately makes your listing look more professional.
Using the Flash
The built-in flash on a phone or camera is the enemy of coin photography. It creates harsh direct light that blows out the coin's surface, flattens all the detail, and turns silver coins into white blobs. Turn it off. Use a window or a desk lamp instead.
Only Posting One Photo
A single photo tells the buyer you're either hiding something or you don't care enough to try. Neither builds confidence. Obverse, reverse, and a close-up of the date and mint mark — that's the minimum. Serious buyers won't bid on a coin they can't fully see.
Photos That Are Too Dark
This is the most common mistake of all. Most beginners underexpose their coin photos and don't realize it until the listing goes live. If you're not sure, your photo is probably too dark. Move closer to the light source, open a second window, or tap the screen to adjust exposure upward before you shoot.
Not Locking Focus
Phone cameras are smart — but they don't always focus on what you want. If you don't tap directly on the coin to lock focus, the camera might sharpen the background instead. Tap the coin on your screen. Hold until you see "AE/AF Lock." Then shoot.
Dirty Slab, Foggy Holder
If your coin is in a PCGS or NGC holder, fingerprints and dust on the plastic surface show up clearly in photos. Buyers see that and wonder what else hasn't been taken care of. Wipe the holder with a soft cloth before every shoot.
Touching the Coin Faces
Oils from your fingers show up on silver immediately — and they don't just look bad in photos, they can cause long-term damage. Hold every coin by the edge only. If you're moving coins around during setup, cotton gloves are worth the small investment.
These aren't complicated fixes. A plain background, good light, and a steady hand get you most of the way there. For the full setup guide — equipment, lighting angles, and exactly what to photograph — How to Photograph Coins for eBay (The Simple Setup That Gets More Bids) covers everything step by step.
August Keene is the founder of Numisteria, a coin collecting blog built for beginners. He learned the hard way so you don't have to.
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