Collector & Reseller Glossary

What the jargon actually means — and what it does to resale value. 3,211 terms across 12 categories.

251 terms starting with “P” · page 2 of 5

1. payment processorReselling
   A payment processor is a service that authorizes and processes electronic transactions between a buyer and a seller. For online resellers, this is the essential gateway that handles credit card information, bank transfer
2. PCGSCoins & Currency
   PCGS stands for Professional Coin Grading Service, a leading third-party company that assigns a numerical, standardized grade to coins to certify their condition and authenticity.
3. PCGS gradeCoins & Currency
   This refers to a professional grading service, most commonly PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), which assigns a numerical grade to a coin based on its condition. The grade reflects the coin's preservation, includi
4. PCGS gradingCoins & Currency
   This refers to the professional authentication and grading services provided by third-party companies like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service). These services meticulously examine a coin's condition, assigning it a
5. PCGS slabCoins & Currency
   A PCGS slab is a tamper-evident, protective holder provided by Professional Coin Grading Service, a leading third-party grading company. When a coin is encapsulated in a slab, it signifies that a professional expert has
6. penny sleeveTrading Cards
   A thin, protective plastic sleeve used to encase trading cards. These sleeves shield the card from everyday wear and tear, such as scratches, fingerprints, and minor bending, which are common during handling and storage.
7. perceived valueReselling
   This concept refers to the subjective worth a potential buyer assigns to an item, which may differ significantly from its objective, intrinsic market value. It is heavily influenced by branding, condition, rarity, and th
8. perfect conditionTrading Cards
   This describes a card that exhibits absolutely no signs of wear, damage, or imperfection. This includes pristine corners, flawless centering, a completely unblemished surface free from scratches, print lines, or whitenin
9. perforatedTrading Cards
   This describes the condition of a trading card where the edges have been cleanly and uniformly punched, typically where the card was once part of a larger pack or strip. For collectors, the presence and quality of perfor
10. perforationCoins & Currency
    This refers to the small, precisely punched holes found along the edges of certain types of paper currency or collectible items, such as banknotes or stamps. For coin collectors, this term is less common, but when applie
11. performanceSneakers
    This term generally refers to athletic footwear designed with specific technological features intended to enhance an athlete's capabilities during rigorous activity, such as running, basketball, or training. For reseller
12. performance benchmarkVideo Games
    This refers to a standardized test or set of metrics used to measure how well a video game runs on specific hardware, such as a particular console or PC configuration. It quantifies aspects like frame rate, resolution, a
13. period pieceComics
    This term refers to a comic book or collectible item that is representative of a specific era in comic book history. It signifies that the item was produced during a particular time frame, often reflecting the artistic s
14. period specificComics
    This describes a comic book or collectible item that is distinctly tied to a particular era or time frame in its publication history. It goes beyond just the issue number; it refers to the cultural, artistic, or editoria
15. peripheralVideo Games
    This refers to any accessory or external device used with a video game console or PC, such as controllers, headsets, specialized joysticks, or charging docks. These items are distinct from the core console or game cartri
16. peripheral conditionVideo Games
    This refers to the overall physical state of any accessory or external device used with a video game console or system, such as controllers, headsets, or specialized grips. It encompasses wear and tear, cosmetic blemishe
17. perpetual calendarWatches
    A perpetual calendar is a sophisticated complication found in mechanical watches that automatically tracks the dates, including the varying lengths of months and the occurrence of leap years, without requiring manual adj
18. PF gradeCoins & Currency
    This designation refers to a specific grading standard for coins, indicating a Proof-like finish. Coins graded as PF are meticulously struck and polished to achieve a mirror-like luster on the fields and sharp, well-defi
19. photo qualityReselling
    This refers to the clarity, sharpness, and overall visual fidelity of the images used to list an item for sale online. High photo quality means the pictures are well-lit, in focus, and accurately represent the item's con
20. photo stagingReselling
    This refers to the deliberate arrangement and presentation of an item before it is photographed for online sale. It involves controlling the lighting, background, and surrounding props to make the product look its absolu
21. physical copyVideo Games
    This refers to the tangible, boxed version of a video game, as opposed to a digital download. It includes the game disc or cartridge, the original packaging, and any included manuals or inserts. For collectors and resell
22. pin corrosionVideo Games
    This refers to the oxidation or rusting that occurs on metal components, often found on the pins of cartridges, connectors, or internal circuitry of vintage video games. It is a form of physical degradation that compromi
23. pinholeTrading Cards
    A pinhole refers to a tiny, often nearly invisible imperfection on a trading card, typically a minute puncture or speck of damage. For collectors and resellers, even the smallest flaw is critical because it directly impa
24. pinhole countComics
    This refers to the number of tiny, pin-sized holes present on the surface of a comic book, usually caused by handling, storage, or environmental damage. Collectors and resellers scrutinize this detail because even minor
25. pinhole densityComics
    This refers to the microscopic appearance of the paper surface, specifically the presence and distribution of tiny, pinprick-sized imperfections or holes. In comic book grading, pinhole density is a critical factor asses
26. pinholesComics
    These are tiny, often almost invisible holes in a comic book's paper. They are considered forms of physical damage and are a key factor in determining a comic's grade and, consequently, its resale value. Even small pinho
27. pinterest sellingReselling
    This refers to utilizing the Pinterest platform as a visual marketing and discovery tool for selling goods. Resellers use it to create curated boards showcasing their inventory, often linking directly to their online sho
28. pitch driftVinyl & Music
    This refers to a subtle, often audible variation in the speed at which a vinyl record plays, causing the pitch to waver slightly up or down from its intended speed. It is not the same as skipping, which is a physical jum
29. pixel artVideo Games
    This refers to a distinct visual style in video games where graphics are composed of visible, individual square dots, or pixels. Instead of smooth, complex textures, the art is deliberately blocky and low-resolution, mim
30. plain edgeCoins & Currency
    This refers to a coin where the outer rim, or edge, is smooth and uniform, lacking any decorative features, reeding, or lettering. Many modern circulating coins feature a plain edge, while older or commemorative pieces o
31. planchetCoins & Currency
    This term refers to the blank piece of metal before it is struck into a coin. It is the raw material from which the final numismatic item is created. For collectors and resellers, the condition and quality of the planche
32. plastic yellowingVideo Games
    This refers to the discoloration, often a yellowish or amber hue, that develops on the plastic components of video game cases, cartridges, or accessories over time. It is a form of chemical degradation, usually caused by
33. plate registrationComics
    This refers to the precision with which the different color plates were aligned during the printing process of a comic book. When the registration is perfect, the colors overlap cleanly without any noticeable misalignmen
34. platform algorithmReselling
    This refers to the complex set of rules and automated systems used by online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon to decide which listings appear in search results and how often they are shown to potential buyers. Und
35. platform commissionReselling
    This refers to the percentage fee that online marketplaces, such as eBay or Etsy, deduct from the final sale price when you sell an item through their system. It is a standard operational cost of using these third-party
36. platform feeReselling
    This is the commission or service charge that the online marketplace, such as eBay or Etsy, deducts from the final sale price of an item. It is a standard operational cost of using their selling infrastructure, covering
37. platform feesReselling
    These are the commissions or service charges levied by online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon when you successfully sell an item through their system. They are typically calculated as a percentage of the final sa
38. platform policyReselling
    This refers to the specific rules and guidelines established by online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon. These policies dictate everything from acceptable product listings and prohibited items to shipping requirem
39. platingCoins & Currency
    This refers to a thin layer of a different metal applied to the surface of a coin, often to enhance its appearance or protect the underlying metal. Plating can be gold, silver, copper, or other materials. For collectors,
40. platter speedVinyl & Music
    This refers to the rotational speed of the turntable platter, typically measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Standard vinyl records are pressed at 33 1/3 RPM for LPs and 45 RPM for singles. Maintaining the correct s
41. playableVideo Games
    This term generally refers to a video game that is fully functional and can be played as intended by the manufacturer. For resellers and collectors, "playable" is a baseline requirement; it means the game boots up, the c
42. playable in boxVideo Games
    This describes a video game that is complete, meaning it includes the original physical packaging, instruction manuals, and all included accessories, and is fully functional. For collectors and resellers, the "in box" as
43. playback headVinyl & Music
    This component is the small, delicate assembly at the end of the tonearm that reads the grooves on a vinyl record. It contains the stylus, or needle, which vibrates as it tracks the audio information etched into the viny
44. playedTrading Cards
    This term refers to a trading card that has been used in a game or has visible signs of wear and tear from play, distinguishing it from a mint or near-mint condition card. Unlike cards that are simply handled, "played" i
45. player signatureTrading Cards
    This refers to the handwritten autograph of the athlete featured on the trading card. For collectors and resellers, a genuine signature is a significant value driver, often elevating a common card to a premium collectibl
46. playsetToys
    A playset refers to a collection of related toys or accessories designed to simulate a specific scenario, environment, or activity. These sets often come with figures, vehicles, structures, and various small pieces that
47. playtest unitVideo Games
    A playtest unit refers to a pre-release version of a video game provided by the developer to testers, reviewers, or early access groups. These units are not intended for general retail sale and often contain developmenta
48. plosivesVinyl & Music
    These are audible pops or clicks in a vinyl record caused by air escaping the grooves, often associated with the sound of consonants like 'p' or 'b' during playback. While sometimes a natural artifact of the mastering pr
49. plushSneakers
    This term describes a material quality, referring to a soft, fuzzy, or velvety texture on the sneaker's upper. It's a descriptive adjective rather than a specific industry classification, but it significantly impacts per
50. pokemon cardTrading Cards
    This refers to collectible trading cards featuring characters from the Pokémon franchise, which is one of the most popular intellectual properties in the collecting world. These cards vary widely in rarity, condition, an
51. polybaggedVideo Games
    This refers to video game items, often cartridges or cases, that are still sealed within their original protective plastic wrapping, commonly known as a polybag. For collectors and resellers, this condition is highly des
52. poorTrading Cards
    This grading designation indicates significant wear and tear on the trading card. "Poor" cards typically exhibit heavy creasing, corner dings, surface scratches, discoloration, and potentially edge wear that compromises
53. poor conditionTrading Cards
    This descriptor indicates that a trading card exhibits significant wear and tear, falling far below standard or even good condition. Issues can include heavy creasing, deep scratches, corner dings, surface wear, or notic
54. poor condition cardTrading Cards
    This describes a trading card that exhibits significant wear, damage, or imperfections that detract from its original appearance. Examples include heavy creasing, corner dings, surface scratches, staining, or print defec
55. poor condition card priceTrading Cards
    This refers to the estimated market value of a trading card that exhibits significant wear and tear. Poor condition encompasses various flaws, such as heavy creasing, corner dings, surface scratches, staining, or chippin
56. poor gradeComics
    This refers to a comic book that has sustained significant wear and tear, falling into the lower end of the grading spectrum. Poor grades indicate visible damage such as heavy creasing, tears, significant staining, spine
57. popTrading Cards
    This term refers to a graded trading card authenticated and encapsulated by Professional Sports Authenticator, or PSA. These cards are sealed in protective cases and assigned a numerical grade, which reflects the card's
58. pop countTrading Cards
    This refers to the number of distinct variations or printings of a specific trading card within a set. For collectors and resellers, knowing the pop count is crucial because scarcity directly drives value. A card with a
59. pop culture itemsReselling
    This broad term refers to merchandise, collectibles, and memorabilia derived from popular media such as movies, television shows, comic books, video games, and music. It encompasses everything from action figures and vin
60. pop reportTrading Cards
    A pop report, short for Population Report, is a statistical breakdown provided by grading companies like PSA or Beckett that details how many copies of a specific trading card have been submitted for and subsequently gra