Auction Rules

Last updated: November 5, 2026

1. Lots

Every lot is reviewed and approved by IKONO before it is published. Each lot shows a title, category, condition, period and provenance when known, a description, photos and a starting price in U.S. dollars. There are no hidden reserve prices: the starting price is the lowest price at which the lot can sell.

2. Schedule

When IKONO approves a lot, its auction is scheduled automatically. The start and end times are shown on the lot page. IKONO may pause, reschedule or cancel an auction for technical, legal or authenticity reasons; affected bidders are notified.

3. Bidding

• Only registered U.S. residents can bid. Sellers cannot bid on their own lots.
• The clock is the Platform's server clock, the same for every participant.
• Each new bid must be at least the current price plus the minimum increment:

• Under $100: $5
• $100 to $499: $10
• $500 to $999: $25
• $1,000 to $4,999: $50
• $5,000 to $24,999: $100
• $25,000 and above: $250

• If two bids for the same amount arrive at the same time, only the first one recorded is valid.
• Bids are recorded with date, time and amount and cannot be edited or deleted. In the public history bidders appear as "Bidder 1", "Bidder 2", never by name.

4. Auto-extension

If a bid is placed with less than 30 seconds remaining, the auction is extended by 30 seconds. This repeats as long as bids keep arriving in the final 30 seconds.

5. Closing

When the clock reaches zero the highest bid wins. The winner and the seller are notified immediately. If there are no bids, the lot does not sell.

6. After the auction

1. IKONO contacts the winner by phone or WhatsApp to arrange payment.
2. The winner pays within 24 hours. The money is held by IKONO.
3. The seller ships the item to IKONO with a tracking number.
4. IKONO verifies authenticity and condition.
5. IKONO ships the item to the buyer, who confirms receipt.
6. IKONO pays the seller the final price minus commission.

If the item fails verification, the sale is canceled and the buyer is fully refunded.

7. Prohibited items

• Archaeological objects, pre-Columbian pieces and cultural heritage goods of any country.
• Protected fossils and products of protected species (for example ivory or tortoiseshell), unless legally documented as exempt.
• Stolen, counterfeit or replica items presented as genuine.
• Firearms, ammunition, explosives, drugs and any item whose sale is illegal in the United States or in the buyer's or seller's state.

8. Fees

• Buyers: no fee to register or bid. The buyer pays the final price plus shipping, insurance and any applicable sales tax, confirmed before payment. There is no buyer's premium.
• Sellers: IKONO's commission as shown before submitting each lot.