In sports cards, PC stands for personal collection: the cards a collector keeps for themselves because they love them, not to sell, trade or flip.
You’ll hear it used as a noun and as a verb. As a verb, “I PC Ken Griffey Jr. and Bo Jackson” means I collect those two players for myself.
Just as often, you might hear, “I collect Ken Griffey Jr. and Bo Jackson for my PC.” Or, “These cards are part of my PC and are not for sale.”
It’s also common for collectors to list the players or types of cards they collect (game-worn patch cards, autographs, non-sports cards and so on) in their social media profiles, using the PC acronym. For example:
PC: Brady, Mahomes, Goff, any vintage HOF
That one line tells other collectors what you’re hunting for, so they know who to show a card to.
Other ways collectors use “PC”
- PC player: A player you collect. “Griffey is my main PC player.”
- PC card or PC piece: A card you’re keeping. “That RPA is a PC piece, not for trade.”
- PC’d: Kept for your collection. “Pulled a Bo Jackson auto and PC’d it.”
- PC price: Paying more than a card usually sells for because you want it for your collection (more on this below).
Pokémon and other trading card game collectors use PC the same way.
What do collectors put in their PC?
There’s no wrong way to build a personal collection. Some common approaches:
- Player collections: Every card of a favorite player you can find, from base cards to autographs. You’ll hear these collectors called “player collectors.”
- Team collections: Cards of every player on one team, often going back decades.
- Set building: Completing a full checklist, such as a favorite set from childhood.
- Rainbows: Collecting every parallel version of a single card.
- Themes: Anything that connects your cards, like rookie cards, hometown players, cards with dogs in the photo, or RPAs from one set.
“PC” vs. cards for sale or trade
Labeling a card as PC tells other collectors it isn’t available. At card shows and in online groups, you’ll see people separate their “PC” from their “trade bait” or “for sale” cards. It saves everyone time: don’t bother making an offer on someone’s PC card unless they’ve said they’re open to it.
You may also hear the phrase “paying PC price,” which means a collector paid more than a card’s usual value because it fills a spot in their personal collection. Recent sales (comps) tell you what a card usually sells for; PC price is whatever it’s worth to you.
Looking after your PC
Since you plan to keep these cards for years, store them properly. Sleeve each card and put the good ones in a toploader (here’s how to choose the right toploader size). Some collectors also get their best PC cards graded, less for resale than for the protection of a sealed slab. Our grading guide covers when that’s worth the fee.
FAQ
What is PC short for in cards?
Personal collection. In card collecting it never means “personal computer” or “politically correct.” If a collector’s profile says “PC: Jeter,” Derek Jeter is the player they collect.
What does it mean to PC a player?
To PC a player is to collect that player’s cards for your own collection. Player collectors often chase every version of a card, including parallels, autographs and oddball issues, and they’re usually the first people a seller contacts when a rare card of that player turns up.
Are PC cards ever for sale?
Usually not, which is the point of the label. Collectors’ tastes change, though, and some will sell or trade a PC card for the right offer or an upgrade. Ask politely, and take no for an answer.
