Regular sets and cards (also called base sets and cards) are the foundation of each trading card set, as they are the most commonly found cards within packs. This is why they are also sometimes called “commons.” Each regular card has a unique and fixed number on the back that makes it a part of the complete set.
Set collectors are those who crave the challenge of putting together an entire set from card #1 all the way through the last numbered card in the set. Sets can be anywhere from around 45 to 50 cards all the way up to 1,000 cards. Now, that is a serious challenge for even the most die-hard set collectors out there.
Cards that are also numbered a part of the set, but not considered a regular card within the set, are called subset cards. There are also cards found in packs that are more rare and these are known as insert cards.
Subsets offer collectors the opportunity to see their favorite players in a different card design and theme from the regular set. This allows for more variety in the cards that most collectors will find most, because they are generally among the most common in packs.
As products become more complex (and expensive by the pack), then subsets are sometimes short-printed and possibly even sequentially crash numbered to make them more rare and difficult for collectors to find.
Short printing is generally done to the Rookie Cards of first year players (or players being featured for the first time in an official, League licensed product), as it brings more value to the Rookies Cards, which are generally considered the most desirable of every player’s cards.
Insert sets are planned short prints within a production run that generally have more technology and excitement surrounding them. Inserts can have ratios anywhere from 1 card from an insert set found per pack all the way up to a “1 of 1,” which means just one of those cards exist.
The total number of insert cards within a given insert set also help dictate how random and difficult it will be for collectors to find. Therefore, if a 10-card insert set is going to be inserted 1:28, then it would take a collector on average 280 packs (10 multiplied by the insert ratio 28) to find a specific card from that insert set or to complete the entire insert set. How much harder is it to complete an insert set of 20 cards at the same 1:28 ratio? If you answered “twice as hard,” then you’ve got it.
Several different insert sets generally exist within each trading card product, and they are set up to offer different levels of challenge for collectors. Some collectors only focus on the more rare inserts while others try to complete the more obtainable.
There are a great variety of insert cards being produced by trading card manufacturers today. Everything from game worn items being cut up into pieces and put onto the cards and cards with the actual signature (or signatures if more than one player signs the card) on them to cards with wood engraving and highly decorated foil cards.
For the most part, the higher the price of the pack, then the more insert content the product should strive to deliver.
Any time the general card design and photo of a player is re-used with a significant shift in technology on the front, the set is known as a parallel set. This means that it parallels or mirrors the look of the regular set, but it is being enhanced. Parallel sets are generally done through various printing technology, different paper stock, additional layers of foil or other items that make the cards look more rich.
These cards can also be crash numbered to add even more value for collectors.
Card companies create multiple series within a given season or year to capture all of the latest rookies and traded players within the overall set. While there are many ways to collect, some collectors only choose a couple of brands each year and try to complete an entire set. Those collectors demand a card of the latest rookie player or they want to see the first card of their favorite player in his new uniform should that player get traded within the context of the brand they traditionally collect. Therefore, products such as Topps Baseball are broken down into two series: series one that is on shelves very early in the year and series two which follows up and captures many of the exciting changes that take place before the middle of the season. Sometimes, update sets are issued at the very end of the season to capture even more changes and late emerging rookies.
In 1990, The Upper Deck Company became the first company to officially get trading cards signed and inserted into packs of cards. This trend continues through to today with most card companies getting in on the act and offering trading cards signed by athletes in packs of cards.
Make sure that the card contains copy on the back that certifies that the card was, in fact, signed by the player on the card.
It’s just another way that card companies are bringing collectors closer to their favorite players.
In the mid 1990’s, card companies began going back out into the marketplace to “buy back” their own cards for use in current products. Then those cards generally get autographed by the athlete on them and they are inserted into another product. The buy back autographed cards are typically affixed with a serialized Authenticated hologram and have separate certificates of authenticity included with them in the pack, so that collectors know the autographed card is real.
As a general rule, collectors want what they can’t get (within reason of course). The more rare and limited a card or set of cards, then the more valuable and cherished it can be to collectors. When a card has sequential crash numbering placed on it by the manufacturer, then it indicates that the card is limited to the amount “crash numbered” by machine in foil or ink onto the card.
As a collecting tip, look for crash numbered cards that are significant in the player’s career (like jersey number, career home runs hit, etc.) or numbers that are also coveted by collectors (like the first or last card of the run).
Crash numbering of some highly collectible autographed cards (usually cards numbered to very low quantities or to the player’s jersey number) can also be done by hand with a pen. This is also sometimes true when replacement cards are returned by the customer service departments of trading card manufacturers to collectors, who send in damaged versions of cards originally crash numbered by machine.
These people conduct what is known as pack searching. They feel the contents of packs through the foil wrapper, use scales to weigh the packs for the slightest weight disparities, and use a number of dishonest tricks to cheat unknowing collectors and consumers by unfairly taking away the chances of finding the highly sought after cards.
While the methods of cheaters are constantly changing with the times, the trading card manufacturers must now resort to adding decoy cards into packs that trick the dishonest from searching packs, as either every pack or several packs within the box contain a card that feels like it could be a special card worth searching a pack for.
Unique to Upper Deck is the e|card. e|card is a sports trading card with a virtual twist. Each one features a unique serial number that empowers the card with greater collectibility.
When scrolling through your collection you may, at any time, select one of your cards to see a full size version in the middle of the screen. As a bonus, there is a possibility of that card “e|volving” into an upgraded card. Simply choose one of your cards and click on the “e|Volve” button to see if your card evolves into an upgraded card.
If it does not evolve into an upgraded card, it will evolve into a bonus image of the athlete. The card will remain in your digital online portfolio and the possibility of future upgrades remains
e|cards may evolve into, among other things, an autograph card, a game-used jersey card, or an autographed game-used jersey card, depending on the series. When a card evolves into an upgraded card, a new window will open and the collector simply fills out their information and the upgraded card will be mailed promptly to their address! For a demo of e|cards, click here.
A game-used (game-worn, match-worn) memorabilia card contains a cut “swatch” of an authentic game-used jersey worn or used in an official sports game or match. Jerseys, shirts, warm-ups, balls, shoes, and even the floor from basketball arenas (among many other items) have been cut up and put onto trading cards.
Collectors have also taken to this concept since most cannot afford to purchase a full actual game-worn jersey themselves, as they either do not have access to the athletes or that much money to purchase them (most start at $2,000 and can run all the way over $100,000 at auction depending on the athlete).
Items are purchased directly from the player, agent, team, league, or from credible secondary market sources (such as auctions) and are thus authentic, used materials.
Usually, card manufacturers will cut the jersey into 1″ x 1″ swatches and then “sandwich” them between 2 pieces of cardboard. Autographed versions, versions with multiple colors of fabric, and versions with the jersey patches add more variety for those who want to take their collections to the next level.
The bottom line is that these cards bring collectors and fans closer to the game and allow them to own a piece of history.
How do I know that the piece is authentic?
Here at Upper Deck, we have a strict policy in purchasing game used equipment. Our sources for purchasing these items will either be directly from the player, directly from the team or from secondary market vendor that has a reputation for having authentic game used equipment. Each game used item that we purchase from these sources comes with a Certificate of Authenticity to ensure 100% authenticity for that item.
Most items used are game worn, while some are from practice or from league sponsored photo shoots. The authentication copy printed on the back of the card should indicate the nature of the item used on the front.
Sometimes inside packs of trading cards, the manufacturer will place a redemption or trade card in the place of the intended item. This card can be mailed in to the company for the item printed on the card.
Another form of redemption card can also drive collectors to the company website to see what their card is good for and the item is automatically mailed to them. This is the wave of the future, as it saves collectors the trouble of having to physically mail their card in. Upper Deck was the first company to offer such an online redemption program.
Since most companies cannot always keep stock of the item offered on the redemption card, there are printed expiration dates generally included in the copy on the card. If you find an expired redemption card in an old pack of cards, it is still worth calling the customer service department of company that produced the cards and asking them if the offer still stands or if a suitable replacement card can be offered.
A rookie card is defined as a debut card of an athlete in a set that is licensed by the governing body of both the actual league and its player’s association.
The Rookie Card concept is one of the major reasons why people collect trading cards for investment purposes. Publications such as Tuff Stuff and the Canadian Sports Collector are resources that people use to find out the values of rookie cards.
Over the past few years, products such as SP Authentic and SPX have been collector’s favorites as the top rookie cards to collect for their respective sports. The regular issue Upper Deck brand products have also provided a great looking rookie card for most collectors in our industry.
Any time a card or group of cards are not run with the frequency of a majority of the cards found within a pack-out for a product, then it is a short printed card.
Sometimes, short prints are not planned by the company and are due to production errors, however on most occasions, short printed cards are inserted at more infrequent intervals than the regular cards with a purpose. Collectors love the challenge of finding cards that are more rare. For some, the more rare, the better.
There are two types of planned short print cards: subsets, which are numbered a part of the regular set, and inserts, which are generally higher technology cards of only the best and brightest stars in the game.
Short printed cards, like subsets and inserts, are generally announced on product packaging with an insertion ratio attached to it or with sequential crash numbering. Basically, these cards are more rare than others in the set and they are thus considered “short” or short printed.