Can someone explain the laws on selling Purple Hearts?

[Manchu Warrior]

I recently attempted to list two WWII Purple Heart cases, no medals, on eBay it was rejected. They claim it violated a federal law and even listed the law. When I went back to retrieve the information it had all been deleted by eBay. They claimed that it is now illegal to sell any items related to Purple Hearts and other US medals. Oddly enough they are still Purple Heart cases being sold on eBay. Can someone explain to me how this law works or if there actually is one?   

[doyler]

ebay has its own policies. Somethings go through some dont. Between using the trigger words and photo identification or being "reported" many of the medals have fallen under the platforms "no bueno"  listings for bad stuff. Not illegal to sell the boxes. or the medals. They sell everyday other places. I have sold dozens but I dont sell on ebay either. List them here for sale or on other forums. They dont bring a lot and your not paying the fees to ebay. 

[Retired Army Noncom]

My understanding only the MOH is prohibited to sell but....does not include trading for something in exchange. That seems the way to get around that. Whether that happens or not, I don't know.

[Brig]

8 minutes ago, Retired Army Noncom said:

My understanding only the MOH is prohibited to sell but....does not include trading for something in exchange. That seems the way to get around that. Whether that happens or not, I don't know.

 

The FBI will still knock on your door over a trade. Legality is cloudy, it hasn't been challenged in court yet, to my knowledge.

[Brig]

11 hours ago, Manchu Warrior said:

I recently attempted to list two WWII Purple Heart cases, no medals, on eBay it was rejected. They claim it violated a federal law and even listed the law. When I went back to retrieve the information it had all been deleted by eBay. They claimed that it is now illegal to sell any items related to Purple Hearts and other US medals. Oddly enough they are still Purple Heart cases being sold on eBay. Can someone explain to me how this law works or if there actually is one?   

 

eBay has largely lumped most personal/valor awards under "stolen valor" laws for over a decade now... they largely rely on self-appointed "eBay police" to report such listings, and then pretty much take down anything flagged out of an "abundance of caution"

[Manchu Warrior]

On 1/12/2026 at 9:43 PM, Brig said:

 

eBay has largely lumped most personal/valor awards under "stolen valor" laws for over a decade now... they largely rely on self-appointed "eBay police" to report such listings, and then pretty much take down anything flagged out of an "abundance of caution"

I appreciate the information. With that said they, eBay, actually quoted the law.  Do you know what law they were actually getting the information from.    Thanks! 

[jumpship]

15 minutes ago, Manchu Warrior said:

I appreciate the information. With that said they, eBay, actually quoted the law.  Do you know what law they were actually getting the information from.    Thanks! 

There is no current law in the USA that prohibits the sale or purchase of PHs. Just don’t slap one on your chest that you didn’t earn and try to make money off it! eBay makes its own rules.

[Mr.Jerry]

There is some wording to the US code 18 § 704 that ebay latched onto:

 

704. Military medals or decorations

(a) In General.-Whoever knowingly wears, manufactures, or sells any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

(b) Congressional Medal of Honor.-

(1) In general.-If a decoration or medal involved in an offense under subsection (a) is a Congressional Medal of Honor, in lieu of the punishment provided in that subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

(2) Definitions.-(A) As used in subsection (a) with respect to a Congressional Medal of Honor, "sells" includes trades, barters, or exchanges for anything of value.

(B) As used in this subsection, "Congressional Medal of Honor" means a medal awarded under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10.

 

I thought that the stolen valor act was struck down as unconstitutional, but I think they reworded it (apparently lying is free speech).  Or it might be the line "except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law". So if they were legally made, they are legal. (I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on the radio). 

[Manchu Warrior]

On 1/15/2026 at 4:03 PM, jumpship said:

There is no current law in the USA that prohibits the sale or purchase of PHs. Just don’t slap one on your chest that you didn’t earn and try to make money off it! eBay makes its own rules.

eBay is actually being flat out dishonest, and why? They quoted the same law as Mr. Jerry had and it’s has different verbiage where it claims it is in fact illegal to sell anything to do with a Purple Heart. I also find it rather odd that I can no longer access those messages from eBay and I know I didn’t delete them. I appreciate the information.  Thanks! 

[Manchu Warrior]

On 1/15/2026 at 4:32 PM, Mr.Jerry said:

There is some wording to the US code 18 § 704 that ebay latched onto:

 

704. Military medals or decorations

(a) In General.-Whoever knowingly wears, manufactures, or sells any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

(b) Congressional Medal of Honor.-

(1) In general.-If a decoration or medal involved in an offense under subsection (a) is a Congressional Medal of Honor, in lieu of the punishment provided in that subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

(2) Definitions.-(A) As used in subsection (a) with respect to a Congressional Medal of Honor, "sells" includes trades, barters, or exchanges for anything of value.

(B) As used in this subsection, "Congressional Medal of Honor" means a medal awarded under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10.

 

I thought that the stolen valor act was struck down as unconstitutional, but I think they reworded it (apparently lying is free speech).  Or it might be the line "except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law". So if they were legally made, they are legal. (I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on the radio). 

The message eBay sent me actually mentioned by name the Purple Heart when they quoted the law. Something seems rather suspicious with there responses and they also disappeared and I can longer access them.  I appreciate the information.   Thanks! 

[Manchu Warrior]

On 1/12/2026 at 8:55 PM, doyler said:

ebay has its own policies. Somethings go through some dont. Between using the trigger words and photo identification or being "reported" many of the medals have fallen under the platforms "no bueno"  listings for bad stuff. Not illegal to sell the boxes. or the medals. They sell everyday other places. I have sold dozens but I dont sell on ebay either. List them here for sale or on other forums. They dont bring a lot and you’re not paying the fees to ebay. 

 

On 1/12/2026 at 9:32 PM, Retired Army Noncom said:

My understanding only the MOH is prohibited to sell but....does not include trading for something in exchange. That seems the way to get around that. Whether that happens or not, I don't know.

I appreciate the information.  Thanks! 

[easterneagle87]

When this first came out about banning the sale of PH's, because one "Named" medal was found in a pawn shop and they got all inflamed that it was sacrilegious to see this medal this way. It was the flavor of the month at the time.  I sent a letter to the Congressman who proposed it. My simple statements were: Who will store and archive these awards? Where would the funding come from to warehouse these, and Who will take responsibility of these with your bill. Nothing but crickets in response.  I think did a post on this years ago. Probably, like most of you and conversations you/I have had with vets, they didn't care about the medal. They simply say, "I got in the way". It's those of us who care about the story and want to have history live on, that the importance of the PH is to us. They were made in the 100,000's and IF there is no name or story behind it, it's just a piece of tin. As for stolen valor, If you didn't earn it, then don't wear it, but the "good intentions" most likely meant the death of the award as they didn't want to get in trouble, so it ends up being thrown away. 

[Manchu Warrior]

On 1/19/2026 at 11:13 AM, easterneagle87 said:

When this first came out about banning the sale of PH's, because one "Named" medal was found in a pawn shop and they got all inflamed that it was sacrilegious to see this medal this way. It was the flavor of the month at the time.  I sent a letter to the Congressman who proposed it. My simple statements were: Who will store and archive these awards? Where would the funding come from to warehouse these, and Who will take responsibility of these with your bill. Nothing but crickets in response.  I think did a post on this years ago. Probably, like most of you and conversations you/I have had with vets, they didn't care about the medal. They simply say, "I got in the way". It's those of us who care about the story and want to have history live on, that the importance of the PH is to us. They were made in the 100,000's and IF there is no name or story behind it, it's just a piece of tin. As for stolen valor, If you didn't earn it, then don't wear it, but the "good intentions" most likely meant the death of the award as they didn't want to get in trouble, so it ends up being thrown away. 

I have a named USMC Korean War PH. The person I purchased it from found it in a trash can at an estate sale of the Marines grand nephew. I also appreciate the information.   Thanks! 

[Honcho]

Wow, that is crazy.

I get that the original intention for the law for the MOH was to protect its respected place.

But a company's policy banning the sale of the PH, or any American award, seems more designed to discourage patriotism, than to guard against stolen valor.

Just IMO.

Collectors are the custodians of this material.

John