Sports Cards Daily

Glossary of Sports Cards Terminology

• Base card - A card that is included in and numbered as part of a regular set of sports cards.
• Box topper - A card or other item that is packaged in a box of sports cards as an incentive for buying the whole thing.
• Bust - A slang term for opening packages of sports cards.
• Cut signature - An autograph originally signed on another document that is cut from that document and inserted into a sports card.
• Error card - A sports card with one or more mistakes (misspelling, misidentified photo, etc.).
• Graded - A sports card that has had its condition certified by an independent expert and sealed inside a special holder to avoid damage or alteration.
• Hit - A blanket term used to describe an autograph, memorabilia card or (sometimes) rookie card.
• Insert card - A sports card that is not numbered within the base set of the product in which it is found.
• Jersey card - A sports card with an embedded piece of a jersey worn by an athlete.
• Live - A term used to describe a sports card product that is currently available for purchase.
• Numbered - A term used to describe a sports card whose print run is known to be limited to a specific quantity.
• Parallel - A sports card that is identical to another card with the exceptions of different print runs or rarities and (most times) one or more visual elements.
• Pull - A term that can be used as a noun or verb and relates to finding a specific sports card or type of card.
• Raw - A sports card that is in its original state and has not been graded or permanently encased.
• Redemption Card - A special card created to take the place of a sports card that was not available at the time of a product’s release; the redemption card can then be exchanged for the original card.
• Rip - A verb used to describe opening a package of sports cards.
• Rookie card - A base card from the first season in which the pictured athlete is part of a fully licensed, widely distributed set of sports cards.
• Short print - A sports card with a smaller print run compared to others in its set or subset.
• Soft sleeve - A thin, flexible plastic holder used to protect a sports card from spills, fingerprints and other surface damage.
• Top loader - A semi-rigid plastic holder used to protect a sports card from damage to its edges, corners or body.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS