Glossary of trading card terms

Basic set:
A collection of all the regular cards manufactured for a particular series. A basic set never includes insert cards.

CCG (Collectable/Customisable Card Game):
CCGs combine the collectability of regular trading cards with the excitement of a role playing game. CCG cards are sold in the same way as sports and non-sports trading cards, but some cards are much rarer than others. It is often these rarer cards which give players greater powers in a game situation. Examples of CCGs include Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon.

Chase(r) card:
As insert card.

Display box:
Trading card packs are often found in shops in special display boxes, featuring graphics connected with the trading card series. Some collectors buy sealed display boxes containing a set number of packs in the hope of obtaining a complete set of a particular series.

Insert card:
Also known as chase cards, inserts are bonus cards which are not considered to be part of the basic set. Insert cards are produced in smaller quantities than regular cards, making them more valuable. Inserts stand out from the regular set in some way, they may, for example, be lenticular or holographic cards. The odds of finding a particular type of insert card are usually printed on trading card packs. If the odds are given as 1:36, the insert is found in approximately one in every 36 packs of trading cards. The higher the second number, the more the insert card is likely to be worth. Not all trading card sets contain insert cards.

Lenticular card:
A trading card printed on special plastic, which displays a short animation when tilted from top to bottom.

Master set:
A collection of all the regular and insert cards in a series.

Milkcap:
A small disc, usually made of cardboard, which features an image on one side and is blank or numbered on the other. Milkcaps are collected in the same way as trading cards and were most popular during the mid 1990s. Milkcaps can be used to play the milkcap game which involves stacking the discs and hitting them with a slammer, usually made of plastic. POG and Tazos are two well-known milkcap brands.

Photocards:
Large sized trading cards, which are manufactured to look like standard photographs. Manufacturers include Magic Box International/Zone and Panini.

Pop-up:
A trading card which can be pushed out to make a stand-up model. It is worth bearing in mind that this sacrifices the card's mint condition.

Promo card:
A promotional card which is designed to advertise a forthcoming trading card series. Often given away as free gifts at collectors exhibitions and with trading card and movie magazines.

Regular card:
A standard trading card which forms part of a basic set.

TCG (Trading Card Game):
As CCG.

Trade card:
The term 'trade card' has traditionally been associated with collectable cards which are of a similar style to cigarette cards and are issued with household products. The cards issued by PG Tips tea, for example, are probably best referred to as trade cards. Today, some collectors refer to trading cards as trade cards, meaning that there is less of a distinction between traditional cards issued with consumer goods and modern cards sold on their own.