Auction House Estimator
Where should you sell your cards? Compare estimated hammer prices, commission fees, and net proceeds across Heritage, Goldin, PWCC, eBay, and your local card shop.
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See estimated hammer prices and fees across Heritage, Goldin, PWCC, eBay, and LCS.
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Search for cards to estimate auction value
Add cards from our database of 5,700+ sports cards. See estimated hammer prices, commission fees, and net proceeds across Heritage, Goldin, PWCC, LCS, and eBay.
How estimates work:Hammer prices are estimated from our database of raw and gem-mint values, adjusted for each auction house's typical buyer pool and specialty. Heritage commands vintage premiums, Goldin attracts modern high-end buyers, PWCC excels in mid-range volume. LCS buy prices reflect the 35% margin dealers typically need. Commission rates are based on standard seller agreements — actual rates may vary based on consignment volume and relationship.
Auction House Profiles
Heritage Auctions
Founded in 1976, Heritage is the world's largest collectibles auction house. They run signature auctions for high-value consignments and weekly online auctions for mid-range cards.
- Seller commission: ~10%
- Buyer's premium: 20%
- Best for: Vintage PSA-graded cards $500+
- Timeline: 60-90 days
Goldin
Goldin (formerly Goldin Auctions) became the go-to platform for modern premium cards, often featuring celebrity-owned collections and record-breaking sales.
- Seller commission: ~8%
- Buyer's premium: 20%
- Best for: Modern stars $1K+, premium parallels
- Timeline: 30-60 days
PWCC
PWCC is the largest dedicated trading card marketplace, processing millions of cards annually through weekly auction cycles. Their volume attracts competitive bidding.
- Seller commission: ~8.5%
- Buyer's premium: 18%
- Best for: Volume sellers, mid-range $100-$2K
- Timeline: 14-30 days
eBay
eBay remains the largest marketplace for cards at every price point. DIY sellers control pricing, photography, and shipping but handle all the work themselves.
- Final value fee: 13.25%
- No buyer's premium
- Best for: All price points, DIY sellers
- Timeline: 7-10 days
Frequently Asked Questions
Which auction house is best for selling sports cards?
It depends on your cards. Heritage Auctions is best for vintage cards (pre-1980) worth $500+. Goldin excels with modern high-end cards ($1,000+) and autographs. PWCC handles the most volume and is great for mid-range cards ($100-$2,000). eBay gives you the widest audience and fastest turnaround. Your local card shop (LCS) is best for quick cash on lower-value cards.
What fees do auction houses charge for sports cards?
Commission rates typically range from 8-15% of the hammer price for sellers. Heritage charges around 10%, Goldin around 8%, PWCC around 8.5%, and eBay takes 13.25% in final value fees. Most major auction houses also charge a buyers premium (18-20%) which is paid by the buyer, not the seller. Local card shops typically offer 60-70% of market value.
What is a buyers premium at a card auction?
A buyers premium is an additional fee charged to the winning bidder on top of the hammer price. For example, if a card sells for $1,000 with a 20% buyers premium, the buyer pays $1,200 total. This premium goes to the auction house and is separate from the seller commission. As a seller, the buyers premium does not directly affect your payout.
How long does it take to get paid from a card auction?
Timelines vary significantly. eBay auctions settle in 7-10 days. PWCC runs weekly auctions with 14-30 day payout. Goldin typically takes 30-60 days from consignment to payment. Heritage Auctions can take 60-90 days for scheduled auctions. Local card shops pay immediately. Factor in shipping time when you consign — you need to ship cards to the auction house before they can be listed.
Is it better to sell cards at auction or on eBay?
For cards worth over $500, major auction houses often achieve higher prices due to their curated buyer base and marketing. For cards under $200, eBay or direct sales are usually more efficient since auction house minimums and timelines make small lots impractical. Cards in the $200-$500 range are a judgment call — PWCC and eBay are both good options depending on volume and convenience.