by Eric Bonnici
Article Copyright © 2006, Alexander Joseph & Associates. All Rights Reserved.

Most hockey card collectors have heard the term parallel hockey card but what exactly does that mean? Understanding what the different types of hockey cards are, including parallels, is perhaps one of the greatest challenges for beginner and some seasoned hockey card collectors.

I started collecting during the 2003-2004 hockey season and became confused by the different terms related to hockey card collecting. As a kid, in the 1980's, the only cards I remember in Canada were O-Pee-Chee hockey cards and there was no such thing as a parallel card. As I met other collectors, especially newer ones, they were just as confused and frustrated.

This article explains what a parallel hockey card is, defines several hockey card collecting terms, gives examples of different features and designs used on parallel cards, explains that the term "subset parallel" hockey card is inaccurate, and touches on the monetary value of parallel hockey cards.

Parallel Hockey Cards Defined:

A Parallel Hockey card, sometimes incorrectly called a variation card, is similar to cards in the set, usually having the same card number and identicle design, except they have a distinguishing design feature added making them special and slightly different.

Parallel hockey cards are normally insert cards and are limited in number (placed into packs at a scarcer rate that is sometimes specified on the box or pack wrapper, an example is 1:8 or 1 parallel in every 8 packs).

Base hockey cards (also called commons or regular cards), subset cards, and memorabilia cards (such as autographed hockey cards, and jersey cards) can have parallel versions.

Sometimes the difference between a parallel and the regular hockey card version is not always easy to notice. An example is the 2005 2006 UD Rookie Showcase cards which were available through a special online promotion on the Upper Deck web site during the NHL preseason. Parallel versions of the Rookie Showcase hockey cards were later released in the 2006 March issue of Beckett Hockey. Beckett Hockey editor Al Muir said, "at first glance the promo cards look virtually identical to the online cards—so identical in fact, that they confused countless magazine readers, and even the Beckett staff." Al's article on the subject can be found at: http://www.beckett.com/NHL/news/index.asp?a=6931&s=46

Technically a variation card (explained below) has a different definition than a parallel, even though some in the hobby mistakenly use the terms parallel and variation hockey cards interchangeably.

Definition of Hockey Card Collecting Terms Used In The Parallel Hockey Card Definition:

Several important hockey card collecting terms are used in the parallel hockey card definition above. The terms are variation hockey card, insert card, base cards, subset cards, and memorabilia hockey cards, they are defined as follows:

Variation Hockey Card Defined:

Variation hockey cards are from the same set with identical card numbers having differing features from one another usually intentionally or unintentionally created by the hockey card manufacturer. For example, the manufacturer may stop printing a card because of an error, correct it, and then resume printing and distributing both versions of the hockey card. Errors are not the only cause of variation cards, instead they can be a choice made by the manufacturer. Examples of sets that contain variations are the 2003 2004 Topps C55 Hockey in which most of the cards in the set have close up pictures of the players but a few variations had full body shots, and the 1990 1991 Upper Deck Hockey set has a French and English version of each card, as does the 1991 1992 Parkhurst set.

Subset Hockey Card Defined:

A subset hockey card is identical in design or almost identical to the base cards in a hockey card set and is usually numbered as a whole number. Subset cards are less common than base cards and harder to find in packs. They are not considered insert cards. An example would be the 2005 2006 Upper Deck Series 1 Young Guns rookie cards.

Base Set or Base Hockey Cards Defined:

Base hockey cards are also called regular or common cards. They are the most commonly found cards in hockey card packs (compared to subset and insert cards). Base hockey cards are usually numbered as whole numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, ... etc.).

Insert Hockey Card Defined:

Insert hockey cards make up smaller sets of cards, compared to the base card set, and are less common, making them harder to find in packs. Think of them as a set within a set where cards are placed into packs at scarcer levels than the base cards. Insert hockey cards also have a distinct design making them different from the base set. Some insert cards can be memorabilia cards too. Subset hockey cards are not considered insert cards.

Memorabilia Hockey Cards Defined:

A special type of insert card autographed by the hockey player and / or contains a piece of equipment used by the player in an NHL game or photo shoot, such as a piece of a glove, goalie pad, jersey or hockey stick. These are the rarest cards, and are often highly prized by collectors. In some cases memorabilia hockey cards have multiple player’s autographs, and / or clothing, and / or equipment on the card.

Features That Distinguish Parallel Hockey Cards

The way parallel hockey cards differ from base cards is up to the creativity of the manufacturer. As technology and creativity advances we will see new features that distinguish parallel cards. Current examples of how parallel hockey cards are different from regular base cards include:

Different Coloring:

The hockey card manufacturer may choose to use different coloring on the parallel cards. Such as, the non-parallel card may have one color around the border of the card and the parallel a different one. An example is the 2005 2006 Black Diamond Hockey emerald parallel cards which feature green coloring on the bottom portion of the cards, as opposed to a silver grey on the base cards. Each card in this Black Diamond Hockey set has 25 serially numbered copies of the emerald parallel.

Die Cut Hockey Cards:

Die cuts are created by the manufacturer after the hockey card is printed as part of the finishing process. Die cuts are areas of the hockey card (part of one or multiple sides) that are cut-out in a variety of shapes. The die is a steel blade used to punch out the desired shape. Examples of die cut hockey card sets are the 2000 2001 Pacific Trading Cards Crown Royal Hockey and the 2003 2004 Pacific Trading Cards McDonald's Atomic Hockey.

Serially Numbered Hockey Cards (Also Called Numbered Cards or #'ed):

Serially numbered cards are produced in limited quantities and each card is numbered sequentially. This sequential numbering is considered the serial number. The sequential numbering (serial number) is not the same thing as the card number. Serial numbers can be found on parallels, inserts, memorabilia cards, and sometimes subsets. The serial number of the card is usually stamped and occasionally hand written by the manufacturer onto the card itself. For example, the 2002 2003 UD SP Authentic Future Watch Autographed Rookie Card featuring Henrik Zetterberg has a card number of 186 in the set and is limited to 999 copies, so that the first card is 1 of 999, the second is 2 of 999, etc. In other words there are 999 copies of card number 186, and each one has a unique serial number that is stamped as follows 001/999, 002/999, etc.

Refractive Ink:

Refractive ink can be used on all or part of the hockey card. This type of ink reflects light which is seen in various colors. When used, hockey card manufacturers place this ink on different parts of the card. For example, it can be used on team logos or the player’s name.

Autographed:

A hockey player's autograph may be the feature that distinguishes a regular card from the parallel.

Jersey swatches:

A parallel may differ from the regular version of the card by having a piece of game worn jersey in the card. In fact, jersey cards may have a regular version and a parallel version. This can happen when the parallel jersey card has a different color on part of the card or even have two pieces of jersey in the card instead of just one.

Foil Covering or Stamping:

The hockey card manufacturer can cover all or part of the card with a decorative foil giving it color, shine, and texture.

Hologram Hockey Cards:

Part of or all of the card can appear to have depth (3D or 3 dimensional), this is commonly called a hologram. Technically the process of creating this type of image is called stereoscopy and is commonly found on credit cards. In the hockey card hobby you may find team logos, the player's name, the actual image of the player, or the entire hockey card as a hologram.

A Parallel card can feature any one or a combination of the above distinguishing features.

Subset Parallel Hockey Cards Do Exist But The Term Does Not:

Subset hockey cards in a set are not considered insert cards but can have parallel versions. The parallel version of a subset hockey card is considered an insert card, as are all parallel hockey cards. So why not call them "subset parallel" hockey cards? Simply put a subset parallel hockey card is not a term used or accepted by the majority of collectors or industry authorities, like Beckett Hockey. A parallel version of a subset hockey card is just considered an insert hockey card and simply called a parallel card.

Are Parallel Hockey Cards Worth More?

Generally, parallel hockey cards have a higher book value than their non-parallel versions. However, as with everything, the value of the card will depend on several factors. These factors include the player on the hockey card, the demand for the card by collectors, what the owner is willing to sell it for (if at all), and what a collector is willing to pay for it. In some cases you will see parallels sell for just about the same price as the non-parallel version, and in other cases for much more.

This article has clarified what a parallel hockey card is, defined several hockey card collecting terms, given examples of different features and designs used on parallel hockey cards, explained that the term subset parallel hockey card is inaccurate, and touched on the value of parallel hockey cards. Obviously, the hockey card hobby and types of hockey cards have evolved since the simple sets put out by O-Pee-Chee in the early 1980's.

About the author:

Eric Bonnici started collecting hockey cards during the 2003-2004 season and quickly realized that things had changed from when he collected as a kid in the early 1980's. So many brands, manufactures, insert sets, subsets, etc. had him confused and overwhelmed. He shares what he has learned through the hockey card related content and articles on his web site. To read more of Eric's hockey card articles or to buy, sell, or trade hockey cards with him visit www.hockeyheadquarters.com .

Article Copyright © 2006, Alexander Joseph and Associates. All Rights Reserved.