A sports card parallel is a variation of the standard base card in a sports card set. Parallels features distinct attributes, including different colors, patterns or finishes and are usually produced in limited quantities, making them more collectible and valuable compared to base cards. Especially nowadays, a base card may have dozens or even hundreds of unique parallel variations.
For example, a base card might have several parallel versions, such as:
- Color Parallels: Sports cards with borders or designs in colors like gold, red, blue, etc. They often indicate different levels of rarity.
- Foil or Refractor Parallels: Cards with a shiny or reflective finish that adds a premium look to the design.
- Numbered Parallels: Short print (SP) or Super short print (SSP) sports cards that are sequentially numbered, indicating how many of that particular card were produced.
- Patterned Parallels: Cards with unique designs, like cracked ice, camouflage, or prism effects.
These parallels are often chased by collectors, especially those who aim to complete a “rainbow” set, which includes all variations of a specific card.
