Term

What's That? 

Base cards

A base card is a common card that is part of the base set in a collection of trading cards. Base cards are the most common cards in a product and are often the starting point for collectors. 

Inserts

An insert card is a card in a sports card pack that is not part of the set's regular numbering system. Insert cards are also known as chase cards. These will vary in being numbered and parallels dependent on the product.

Parallel(s) cards

A card that is similar in design to a base card but has a distinguished quality. Usually this is a different coloured card or border, different pattern or photo. More often than not they will be numbered as well and this will range from 1/1 up to potentially /999 or higher dependent on product.

Case hit

As described, one or multiple cards will be in the case but not in every box. Rare and sought after cards. A bonus to receive on if purchasing a hobby box of a product which offers this.

Autographed (auto) cards

Auto cards are the most commonly sought after cards. There are generally 2 types of autographed cards, sticker autos where an autographed sticker is placed on the card and on card autos which are hard signed cards. Some autographed cards also carry inscriptions. Also known as a Hit card.

Patch or Relic card

These cards will have at least one piece of memorabilia in the card. Majority of the time this will be a piece of clothing but there are cards in sets with pieces of boots, hats, balls and bats among others. They can be game used which are the most desirable, other types include game worn, player worn and event worn. More often than not they will be numbered. Commonly referred to as a patch card. Also known as a Hit card.

Patch or Relic Auto cards

These are cards which have at least 1 piece of memorabilia patch and an autograph. Also known as a Hit card.

Rookie cards

Rookie cards will carry an ‘RC’ logo somewhere on the card. They are a players most sought after card. They will usually come in all the variations of the cards above. The success of a years rookie class can have a positive or negative influence on the future pricing of products from that year.

Graded cards

A handful of products offer graded cards in their hobby boxes. These are encased in a protective casing and graded on different aspects of the card. Cards graded 10 are highly sought after but extremely rare. You can also get your own cards graded.

Acetate cards

Cards made out of a clear plastic. Can be numbered, parallels, inserts or autographed.

Die cut cards

Cards that are shaped differently. Can be numbered, parallels, inserts or autographed. 

Comps

Comps are determined from the sale prices of historically sold cards, usually of the exact same card in the same condition and rarity and within the same time frame. Look at sold items on ebay or use appls like 130 Point

Term

What's That? 

Hobby boxes

Premium boxes of trading cards. Usually contain at least 2 hit cards, the majority of hobby boxes will have multiple hit cards. These are the highest priced boxes of each product and will carry the best assortment of various sets in the product compared to other options. They will vary in price from less than £100 to over £1000 dependent on the product and year the product is from.

Always familiarise yourself with what the box will contain as this will vary in the number of packs, hits and cards depending on the product. 

Blaster boxes

Generally the majority of cards in Blaster boxes are largely base cards. More often than not they will also contain a hit card and a selection of numbered cards, inserts and parallels as well. They are a more affordable product, a great entry level product for collectors and a good product for set builders due to the number of cards that are usually in Blasters. In most products there is a chance to pull a big name autograph but the chances of that will be low.

Always familiarise yourself with what the box will contain as this will vary in the number of packs, hits and cards depending on the product. 

Retail boxes

These usually sit between Blaster and Hobby boxes. The majority of the time these are part of the range for the low to mid range products with large base sets.

Always familiarise yourself with what the box will contain as this will vary in the number of packs, hits and cards depending on the product. 

Hanger boxes

Usually will only have 1 pack in them but this will hold more cards than an average pack, usually a lot more. Similar to Blasters in content. Will be the cheapest box available for most products.

Always familiarise yourself with what the box will contain as this will vary in the number of packs, hits and cards depending on the product.