Indicates that a card has been stamped with a serial number. Example: 12/25. Synonymous with Numbered.
Refers to cards being sold through online marketplaces like eBay and COMC or auction houses like Goldin Auctions and Heritage Auctions.
A protective card case that is held together by a screw. These have become less common with modern collectors who often prefer One-Touch cases held together via a magnet. Screw Down cases have also been known to damage cards when closed too tightly.
A former sports card manufacturer that is now a brand of football cards printed and distributed by Panini.
Refers to a card’s supply not meeting the demand. Not to be confused with Rare, which indicates a card with a more limited print run.
Abbreviation for Rookie Patch Autograph. These types of cards are often the most desirable and expensive in the hobby.
Refers to a player’s first year of cards, though not always their rookie season. Players can have dozens of rookie cards that vary in value. Some, but not all, rookie cards are stamped with some type of rookie designator that varies by manufacturer.
Refers to cards that appear only in retail formats. Examples could be inserts that only appear in Blaster Boxes or parallels that only appear in Hanger Boxes.
A product strictly meant to be sold at major retailers like Target and Walmart. Similar in cards per box to Hobby Boxes, Retail Boxes generally don’t offer as many hits or low-numbered cards.
A reproduction of a card that was previously printed. New collectors should pay special attention to sale listings marked “RP” as these are not original copies of the presented card.
Refactors feature different effects when exposed to light. Common features include rainbow-like colors or other designs and patterns. Topps first introduced the term refractor with the debut of 1993 Topps Finest. Panini uses the term “prizm” to describe its refractors (in all of its sets, not just Prizm).
The process where a card, often an autographed card or other “hit”, is substituted with an agreement that the owner will receive the card at a later date. Ultra-modern redemptions feature codes that the owner must submit to the manufacturer before receiving the card.
Redemptions have become controversial over the years as many are unable to be fulfilled by the manufacturer in a timely manner. This happens for a variety of reasons, though one of the most common is that the autographed card is never returned to the manufacturer by the intended signer.
In these cases the redemptions must be substituted for a different card or other bonus.
The act of altering a card’s color to better match the original design while hiding damage or aging. Recoloring a card is considered an alteration and will be designated as such by a third-party grading service if discovered.
Refers to a card that hasn’t been graded or encapsulated by a third-party service.
Another name for a lottery or raffle that involves cards. An example of a razz features the original owner raffling off a card through 10 spots at $10 per spot. A winner is selected at random from that group to receive the card. Collectors should approach razzes with caution, as they are often conducted through social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with little protection against fraud or other deceptive practices.
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