AHH! Too much slang!

[pujols1324]

Hi, I'm new to trading/buying/selling baseball cards online and I am having some trouble figuring out the lingo you all are using.
I have figured out:
GU=game used
(P)LMK=(Please) Let Me Know
And...Thats about it...Also, I am not sure what inserts are and have seen that used around here alot.

Thanks

[gottagitdemjs]

PC=personal collection or private collection
Inserts are pretty much self explanatory. They're cards inserted into packs that are not part of the base set, but are not game used or autographed. They're the $5-$15 cards that come like one in every 6 to 12 packs. Sometimes they're numbered, sometimes they're not.

[2FarGone]

All your answers are right here...

https://www.sportscardforum.com/glossary.php

[golfermatt91]

flyshtys got it before me.... lol
yea thats all of it

[pujols1324]

I'm still a little hazy as to what inserts are...okay, I have a Shawn Green "back to the future" card that is #'d 450/1000. Is that an insert #'d card? And whats the difference between serial numbered and just #'d, or is there any?

Thanks

[S.A.M.]

Yes that's a #'d insert and there's no difference.

[pujols1324]

Thanks S.A.M.
And sorry for all these questions but what are refractors?

Thanks alot guys

[S.A.M.]

No problem at all, welcome to the site!

I don't know too much about refractors but I'll give it a shot.
Refractors are a Topps Company innovation, first released in Topps' 1993 Finest product I believe. And it's basically a special coating on the cards that make them refract light (hence "refractor") to produce a rainbow effect. They're a staple insert in almost all Topps products these days and still a favorite. Further innovations inlclude X-Fractors, essentially a refractor with diamond patterns in the coating and Superfractors, one of which I've never seen in person so I can't comment on the difference except they usually have a much smaller print run than the other variations, often as 1/1s (only one of that particular card made).