A (or '''collectible card''') is a small Card which is intended for Trading and Collecting . The cards began originally as premiums distributed with tobacco products, but later became very popular as inserts to bubblegum packs. Eventually, the cards became the more desirable content, and the gum, with few exceptions, is no longer included in trading card packs.
Trading cards are traditionally associated with Sport s; Baseball Card s are especially well-known. Cards dealing with other subjects are often considered a separate category from Sports Card s, known as Non-sports Trading Card s. These often feature Cartoon s, Comic Book characters, Television Series , or movie stills. They should not be confused with a Trade Card .
As with Playing Card s, which they generally resemble, trading cards are often used to play various games. In the 1990s, cards designed specifically for playing games became popular enough to develop into a distinct category of Collectible Card Game s. These tend to use either Fantasy subjects or sports as the basis for gameplay.
The development of the Internet has brought the development of various online communities, through which members can trade cards with each other. Cards are often bought and sold via EBay , which has been a boon to card collectors, but has led to the demise of many local card shops.
The value of a trading card depends on a combination of the subject's popularity, the scarcity of the card, and the card's condition. In some cases, especially with older cards that preceded the advent of card collecting as a widespread Hobby , they have become Collectors' Item s of considerable value. In recent years, many sports cards have not necessarily appreciated as much in value due to mass production, although some manufacturers have used limited editions and smaller print runs to boost value.
In some jurisdictions, trading cards are distributed by Police officers to children in order to boost Public Relations . While throughout America baseball cards are popular, in Canada the Royal Canadian Mounted Police distribute cards of each Mountie in the Musical Ride .
Presented in logical order, not alphabetical:
- - usually the standard baseball size of 2.5 in. by 3.5 in., but 'widevision' cards are of the tall historically-basketball size.
- - the original wrapper with base and insert cards within, often called 'wax packs', typically with two to eight cards per pack. Today the packs are usually plastic foil wrap.
- - the original pack cover, often with collectible variations.
- -- cards, packs, boxes, and cases sold to the public, typically via retail stores.
- -- items sold mainly to collectors, typically via mail-order. Usually contains some items not included in the retail offerings.
- -- factory plastic bubble pack of cards or packs, for retail peg-hanger sales.
- -- factory packs of unwrapped cards, for retail peg-hanger sales.
- -- factory metal can, typically filled with cards or packs, often with inserts.
- - original manufacturer's container of multiple packs, often 24 packs per box.
- - factory-sealed crate filled with card boxes, often six to twelve card boxes per case. Often 24 packs per box.
- -- also known as base cards. Nonrare cards that form the main set (for example Cards 1-200).
- -- usually a modification of the main set of base cards which contains extra foil stamping, hologram stamping and are often seen one per pack up to one per 36 packs.
- -- also known as chase cards. Nonrare to rare cards that are randomly inserted into packs at various ratios like 1 per 24 packs for example. An Insert Card is often different from the main set, contains a different number on the back such as SS01 to SS10, etc.
- -- cards that are distributed, typically in advance, by the manufacturer to enhance sales.
- -- special cards that come in packs that are mailed (posted) to the manufacturer for a special card or some other gift.
- -- insert cards that feature near-one-of-a-kind artists sketches.
- -- printed insert cards that also bear an original cast or artist signature. Rarely Seen.
- -- cards that are included in a factory sealed box.
- -- card or cards included as a bonus in a factory sealed case.
- -- any base, common, insert, or other cards not of standard or widevision size.
- -- cards printed by the manufacturer, but not officially distributed for a variety of reasons. Often leaked to the public, sometimes improperly.
- -- a complete set of base cards for a particular card series.
- -- a complete set of a particular class of inserts, often called a 'subset'.
- -- not well defined; often a base set and all readily available insert sets; typically does not include promos, mail-in cards, sketch, or autograph cards.
- -- card sets, typically complete base sets, sorted and sold from the factory.
- -- sheets of uncut base, insert, promo, or other cards.
- -- uncut sheets of nine cards, usually promos.
- -- also 'ad slicks'. Usually one page, but increasingly fold-outs, distributed by the manufacturers to card distributors, in advance, to enhance case sales.
- -- Mint/Near Mint. Items without any flaws. For example, not misprinted, with corner dings, card creases, etc.
- -- A near perfect card, but with a dinged corner or other very minor imperfection.
- -- Looks fine at arm's length, but looking closer reveals soft corners and other imperfections.
- -- A card with writing on it, poor centering, a mild crease, or worn but present corners.
- -- A rather damaged card, such as bad crease or worn-off corners.
- -- A seriously damaged card.
- -- just removed from the pack, box, or case. Not necessarily M/NM.
- -- items not distributed via packs, but instead directly from the manufacturers. Also known as 'unused'.
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