Overview

Amazon maintains strict policies governing the sale of currency, coins, cash equivalents, and gift cards on its marketplace. These rules exist to prevent counterfeiting, money laundering, and fraud while still allowing legitimate numismatic sales. Sellers dealing in these categories must understand what is permitted, what is outright banned, and the specific compliance requirements that apply to their listings.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Precious metals dealers face additional compliance obligations — Sellers who qualify as dealers of precious metals, precious stones, or jewels must comply with federal anti-money laundering regulations under 31 C.F.R. Part 1027 and may be required to provide Amazon with copies of their anti-money laundering program upon request.
• Coins and currency require category approval — Sellers must obtain approval from Amazon before listing products in the Collectible Coins category, making this a gated category with an additional application step.
• Exonumia items are generally exempt — Medals, medallions, challenge coins, and commemorative coins that are not primarily composed of precious metals are exempt from the stricter precious metals compliance requirements.
• Prop and imitation money has strict sizing and marking rules — Any replica or prop currency must be permanently and prominently marked "COPY" and must meet specific sizing requirements relative to genuine U.S. currency.
• Gift cards are heavily restricted — Retail and open-loop gift cards, stored-value products, and electronic stored-value redemption codes are generally prohibited unless the seller has been pre-approved by Amazon.

What Is Allowed

Sellers may list genuine coins and monetized bullion — meaning currency manufactured from gold, silver, or other precious metals that has served or currently serves as legal tender under the laws of a U.S. state, the United States, or a foreign nation. Listings for these items must include relevant details such as the coin's state of preservation, period of circulation, a clear image, country of issue, metal composition, and confirmation that it was produced or authorized by the issuing government. Reproductions, replicas, or copies of coins or monetized bullion may also be listed, provided they are clearly marked as reproductions on the item itself, include a clear image of that marking, and state in both the title and description that the item is a reproduction. These replicas must also comply with the Hobby Protection Act of 1992.