Sports card collectors have their own language, much like most other hobbies, so it’s good to know the terminology before you make any big purchases or trades. Are we missing anything? Let us know in the comments.
Auto
An autographed card. There are multiple types of autographed cards, including sticker autos, cut autos, and on-card autos. A ‘sticker auto’ means the player signed pages of stickers at one time, which are then applied to cards the manufacturer chooses later. A ‘cut auto’ is when the manufacturer cuts the autograph from a different item (like a document) and adds it to a card later. You’ll often find ‘cut autos’ of deceased athletes and celebrities, where the manufacturer takes something the person signed when they were alive, cuts out the signature and places it on a modern card. ‘On-card auto’ means the players sign the card itself, and as a result, they are often considered more sought after and valuable.
B/S/T
Buy, Sell or Trade. (You might also see someone post a card that says, “NFS,” which means “Not For Sale.”)
Base
The main set of cards in the set’s checklist, not counting parallels, inserts, or short-printed cards.
Blaster
Smaller than a hobby box, blasters are usually boxes of cards sold in retail outlets with seven to 10 packs in them.
BMWT
“Bubble Mailer with Tracking,” which is how the seller will ship you the cards. This is preferred, but a little more expensive than a PWE “Plain White Envelope.”
Box Break
A “breaker” sells spots, usually by teams or divisions of teams, then opens a box of cards. Cards are then distributed based on who had the appropriate slot in the break. Breaks are often done for teams, divisions, or even individual players.
Buy Backs
Cards that were previously in distribution returned to the manufacturer and repackaged for future sales. For instance, Topps Archives Signature Series is a set of cards bought back, autographed, stamped with a seal to show they were “Buy Backs,” and then sold again.
Card Saver
Plastic card protectors often required for sending cards in to be graded.
Case Hit
The one chase card that’s hidden in a case of boxes of cards, which means it has a very low print run relative to the other cards being pulled. “Hits” are considered the best cards to get in a box, like autographs or relics.
Chase Card
Usually, it’s the best card in a set, possibly out of a box or case, but it could also refer to a specific card in a set with a very low print run.
Coin a Card
Showing the provenance of a card being sold, a seller will place a piece of paper with their name and today’s date next to the card in a picture. This proves the seller actually has the card in his possession and is not just using someone else’s picture.
Color Match
When a parallel has a border similar to the player’s team colors, making it a more attractive card to own.
Comps
Short for “comparisons,” usually used to compare prices on similar items.
Die-Cut
A card that has been cut into a unique shape during production. Die-cut cards often have intricate designs and are valued for their distinctiveness.
Error Card
A card that has a mistake, such as a misspelling or an incorrect photo, which sometimes increases its value due to rarity.
Factory Set
A complete set of cards that is packaged and sold by the manufacturer, often in a sealed box or tin.
Flagship
Considered the main set from a manufacturer, like Topps Series 1, 2, and Update, or Panini Prizm.
Image Variation
A card with the same number as the regular base card, but with a different image on the front. Image variations are generally considered short prints.
ISO
“In Search Of,” which is often used when people are looking for a specific player or card.
Junk Wax
Cards and packs manufactured in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, when overproduction and over-licensing ran rampant.
LCS
Your “Local Card Shop.”
The National
Short for “The National Sports Collectors Convention,” which is considered the largest annual sports card and memorabilia show in the country.
Parallel
A different version of base cards. Parallels could include a different color border, added texture, or a different treatment, among other variations.
PC
Your “Personal Collection.”
Penny Sleeve
A flexible, thin plastic sleeve that serves as the card’s first protection against damage, before slipping into a top-loader or Card Saver.
Pop Report
The population report or numbers of cards of a specific grade of a specific card, from a specific grading company.
PWE
Plain white envelope.
PYT
“Pick Your Team” in breaks.
Rainbow
This refers to a collection of cards for one player, with all of their parallels, which are usually colored, much like a rainbow.
RAK
Random Act of Kindness. Often a RAK is when one collector gifts a card to another collector just because they know the other collector PCs (personally collects) that player.
Raw
An ungraded card.
RC
Rookie Card.
Refractor / Prizm Silver Holo
Both cards are terms for special parallel chromium cards from Topps (Refractor) and Panini (Prizm). The metallic reflective appearance refracts or disperses light. Prizm Silver cards come from the Prizm set (Silvers are noted with the “Prizm” word on the back), and Silver Holo cards are from the Donruss Optic set (marked with “Prizm” on the back, also).
Relic
Usually referring to a piece of game history, whether it’s a jersey patch, bat slice, or something else. If it’s a patch, it’s important to know that game-worn patches are considered better than just “player-worn” patches and manufactured relics.
Repack
Cards or slabs packaged and sold on the second-hand market, with high-end chase cards possible, and a relatively high floor to entice buyers.
RPA
“Rookie/Patch/Auto”
Considered some of the best cards to collect of a player, R/P/As are a player’s rookie card with their autograph and a patch from their jersey.
Slab
A graded card.
SP
Short print. Fewer copies of a certain card were printed than the set’s normal base card run.
SSP
Super short print.
Superfractor
Usually 1/1 cards in Topps Chrome sets.
TCG
Trading Card Games, like Pokemon or Vee Friends.
Top-Loader
Semi-rigid card protectors that are stronger than a penny sleeve and Card Saver, but weaker than a slab or one-touch magnetic holder.
True Rookie Card
Cards that are generally considered as the player’s first card in the flagship series.
Vintage
Subjective term for cards that are 50 years old or older in many instances.
Serial Numbering
A unique number found on some trading cards indicating the specific card’s production number within the total amount produced.
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