sportscard-checklists.net

Definitions used on our site.

We try to use terms and definitions that are widely accepted throughout the hobby.

As usual, please contact us if there are any questions.

Last update: January 13 2010

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A

Autograph card (AU)

This term refers to a card that features the signature of the person(s) depicted on the card. There are basically two types of autograph cards: 'on-card' or 'hard-signed' autographs, and 'cut signature' cards. Autograph cards are typically certified as authentic by the manufacturer.

See also: Cut-Signature card

Web article: On-Card Autographs Versus Autograph Stickers

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B

Base Card

A card that is included in and numbered as part of the regular run of cards in a sports card product. Base cards generally make up the majority of any given pack or box of sports cards. Some base cards may also be 'short-printed'.

See also: Common card , Short print

Base Set

The complete group of all base cards in any product is known as the base set.

Beckett

Popular price guide - both online and magazine.

See: Beckett website

BGS (Beckett Grading Services)

Beckett's card grading service.

See: Beckett Grading Services

Box Topper

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C

Common card

Non-rare cards that form the main (base) set.

See also: Base card

Cut-Signature card (CUT)

A card that contains a 'sticker' (or other piece of material) that is autographed and then affixed to the card. Some manufacturers use portions of checks, letters, etc that are signed by the person and then embed them into the card.

See also: Autograph card

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D

Double print

Cards that are printed in double the quantity. Usually pertains to vintage cards.

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E

Error card

Exchange card

Special cards that come in packs that are mailed (posted) to the manufacturer for a specific card or some other gift.

See also: Redemption card

Extended set

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F

Factory set

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G

Game-used card

See also: Memorabilia card , Relic card

Graded card

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H

Hand-collated

Hobby box

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I

Insert card

Any card that is not part of a product's base set is known as an insert card. Insert cards are randomly inserted into packs at various ratios, like 1 per 24 packs (1:24) or 1 per 8 packs (1:8), etc. Insert cards are typically numbered with a prefix or suffix (such as SS1 - SS10). The prefix or suffix is usually an abbreviation of the insert set name ('SS' for Sweet Spot Signatures for example).

See also: Chase card

Insert set

A set made up of insert cards.

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J

Jersey card

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M

Memorabilia card

See also: Game-used card , Relic card

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N

Numbered set

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P

Parellel set

Patch card

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Print Run

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Promo cards

Cards that are distributed, typically in advance, by the manufacturer to enhance sales.

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

The world’s largest third-party authentication service.

See: Professional Sports Authenticator

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R

Redemption card

Special cards that come in packs that are mailed (posted) to the manufacturer for a specific card or some other gift.

See also: Exchange card

Relic card

This is the term used by Topps for their cards that have a piece of memorabilia mounted in the card.

See also: Game-used card , Memorabilia card

Retail box

Rip card

Rip card.

Rookie card - RC

Rookie card.

Rookie card - (RC)

Rookie card.

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S

Short print (SP)

Often referred to when talking about base cards (although some insert cards can also be 'short-printed' as well). Those cards that are produced in lower quantities than others (in a given set) are considered 'short-printed'. Typically, 'short-print' is used when the quantity of cards produced is not known or not revealed by the manufacturer. When the quantity of cards produced is known, then a 'print-run' number is used to indicate how many of each card was produced.

See also: Print Run

Sketch card

Insert cards that feature artists sketches.

Swatch

Insert cards that feature a mounted swatch of cloth, such as from a sports player's jersey or an actor's costume.

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T

Tin

Factory metal container, typically filled with cards or packs, often with inserts.

Triple print

Cards that are printed in triple the quantity.

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U

Uncorrected Error card

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V

Variation card

Vintage cards

Usually cosidered to be pre-1980.

Player Name	Description
Sam Huff	HOF players are highlighted blue rows.

Card#	RC	AU	GU	PrintRun	Description
xxx					Cards will alternate row colors.
xxx					Card # is linked to show details of that specific card.
xxx	RC				Rookie cards will be highlighted with a light-green row.
xxx		AU			Autographed cards will have 'AU' or 'CUT'.
xxx			--mem--		Memorabilia cards (game-used, relic) will have '--mem--' (if the type is unknown), otherwise the specific type of memorabilia is shown (bat, jersey, etc).
xxx				--SP--	Short print cards will have '--SP--' (unknown print run quantity), otherwise the specific print run numbers are used. 'xxxx #d' are serialized print runs.
xxx					Exchange cards will be highlighted with a light-yellow row.
xxx					Cards with variations will be highlighted with a light-purple row. Click on the card# to see the variatons.

There is no guarantee that all these lists are complete or 100% accurate. We will continue to add and/or update them as we get more information.