Collectibles Glossary
Definitions for the most-searched collecting terms across cards, comics, coins, and memorabilia. Sourced from grading services and recognized authorities.
PSA
Professional Sports Authenticator — the most widely used grading service for trading cards, founded 1991. Uses a 1-10 Gem Mint scale. Source: psacard.com.
BGS
Beckett Grading Services — grading authority using a 1-10 scale with subgrades for centering, corners, edges, and surface. Pristine BGS 10 commands premium over standard BGS 10.
SGC
Sportscard Guaranty Company — vintage-specialist grader founded 1998, known for tuxedo (black) slabs. Recognized authority for pre-1970 vintage cards. Source: gosgc.com.
1st Edition
In Pokemon TCG, cards with a small 1st Edition stamp on the bottom-left, only present in early Wizards of the Coast print runs. Base Set 1st Edition Charizard is the most valuable common modern card.
Shadowless
Pokemon Base Set cards from the second print run without a drop-shadow behind the card-art window. Sit between 1st Edition and Unlimited in scarcity and value.
Sheldon Scale
1-70 grading scale used for coins (and adapted for banknotes by PMG/PCGS). Created by William Sheldon in 1949 for large cents. 70 is perfect; 60-70 is Mint State.
WATA
Wata Games — sealed video game grading service founded 2018. Uses subgrades for box and seal condition. WATA 9.8 A++ Super Mario 64 sold for 1.56 million dollars in 2021.
CGC
Certified Guaranty Company — dominant comic book grading service, founded 2000. 1-10 scale. CGC 9.8 is Near Mint/Mint, the standard collector grade.
Reserved List
Wizards of the Coast 1996 promise to never reprint specific Magic: The Gathering cards from Alpha through Urza Destiny, including Black Lotus and the Moxes. Source: company.wizards.com.
PWE
Plain White Envelope — common low-cost shipping for raw trading cards under 5 USD. Uses a single stamp. Higher risk than tracked shipping.
BIN vs Auction
Buy It Now (fixed price) vs Auction listings on eBay. PWCC and Heritage Auctions data show modern cards favor BIN; vintage and high-value items favor auction.
Authenticator
Specialized service or person verifying authenticity (not condition). JSA and PSA/DNA for autographs, MEARS for game-used jerseys, Hakes for vintage Star Wars.