Sports Card Collecting Glossary
Whether you're new to the hobby or a seasoned collector, this comprehensive glossary will help you navigate the terminology of sports card collecting.
Jump to Category:
Card Basics
Base Card
The standard card from a set, without any special features or enhancements.
Rookie Card (RC)
A player's first officially licensed card in a major product. Often the most valuable card of a player.
Parallel
A version of a base card with different visual features (colors, patterns, etc.) but the same design, typically produced in lower quantities.
Insert
Special cards included in packs at a lower rate than base cards, often with unique designs or themes.
Short Print (SP)
Cards printed in smaller quantities than the base set, making them rarer.
Card Conditions
Mint (MT)
Card in perfect or near-perfect condition with no visible flaws.
Near Mint (NM)
Card with only minor imperfections that are difficult to notice.
Excellent (EX)
Card showing some minor wear but still in good condition overall.
Very Good (VG)
Card with noticeable wear or minor damage.
Poor (PR)
Card with significant damage, creases, or other major flaws.
Card Features
Autograph Card
Card featuring a player's signature, either directly on the card or on a sticker applied to the card.
Relic Card
Card containing a piece of authentic memorabilia (jersey, bat, etc.) embedded into the card.
Patch Card
A type of relic card featuring a piece of a jersey patch, logo, or number rather than a plain swatch of fabric.
Refractor
Card with a special reflective or prismatic foil technology that creates a rainbow effect when tilted.
Numbered Card
Card with serial numbering (e.g., 23/100) indicating its place in a limited print run.
Grading & Authentication
PSA
Professional Sports Authenticator, one of the largest card grading companies.
BGS
Beckett Grading Services, known for its subgrades and stricter grading standards.
SGC
Sportscard Guaranty Corporation, a grading company especially popular for vintage cards.
Slab
Collector term for a card encased in a protective holder after grading.
Population Report
Data maintained by grading companies showing how many cards of a particular type have received each grade.
Card Production
Print Run
The total number of cards produced for a specific card or set.
Case Hit
A special card that appears at a rate of one per case (typically 12 boxes) of product.
One-of-One (1/1)
A card with only one copy in existence, often featuring special elements like printing plates.
Redemption Card
Placeholder card that can be redeemed with the manufacturer for a card not ready at the time of production.
Printing Plate
The actual metal plates used in the printing process, later made into one-of-one cards.
Collection Terms
Set
Complete collection of cards from a specific release.
Master Set
A complete set including all base cards, parallels, variations, and sometimes inserts.
PC (Personal Collection)
Cards a collector keeps for personal enjoyment rather than for trading or selling.
Rainbow
Collecting all parallel versions of a specific card.
Mailday
When a collector receives cards in the mail, often shared on social media.
Buying & Selling
Comps
Comparable sales used to determine a card's market value.
Break
An event where participants buy into portions of a box or case of cards that someone opens live.
Raw Card
A card that has not been professionally graded or authenticated.
BIN (Buy It Now)
Fixed-price listing option on platforms like eBay.
PWE (Plain White Envelope)
Shipping method using a regular envelope, usually the cheapest but least secure option.
BMWT (Bubble Mailer With Tracking)
Shipping method using a padded envelope with tracking, offering better protection than PWE.
Card Defects
Surface
The condition of a card's front and back surfaces, looking for scratches, print defects, or wear.
Corners
The four corners of a card, which are examined for sharpness and wear during grading.
Edges
The four sides of a card, which are examined for whitening or chipping during grading.
Centering
How well the card's image is centered within the borders, a key factor in grading.
Print Line
A manufacturing defect where a line appears across the card during printing.
Have a Term to Add?
This glossary is constantly evolving as the hobby changes. If you have a suggestion for a term we should add or a definition we should update, please email us.