MTG Foil vs Non-Foil: Which Magic Cards Are Worth More?
Are foil Magic cards worth more? Traditional foils, etched, galaxy and textured foils, old-border foils, curling, and how to price foil vs non-foil versions.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Foil cards have been part of Magic since Urza's Legacy (1999). Today there are many foil types, and the gap between a foil and non-foil version of the same card can be tiny or enormous.
Types of foil
- Traditional foil: the classic shiny finish over the whole card
- Etched foil: a subtler metallic finish with an etched pattern
- Galaxy, textured, surge, serialized and other special foils from recent products
- Old-border foils: foils from the late 1990s and early 2000s, often very scarce
When foils are worth much more
- Older foils from 1999–2003, which were printed in small numbers
- Commander staples and popular legendary creatures; Commander players love foil "pimped" decks
- Special treatments (borderless, showcase, textured) in foil
- Low-print foils from limited products
When foils aren't worth much more
- Unplayed cards: a foil of a card nobody wants is still a card nobody wants
- Common and uncommon foils from recent sets
- Cards whose foil versions were printed widely in Collector Boosters
Foil curling
Foil cards can curl ("pringle") due to humidity because the foil layer reacts differently from the paper. Mild curl is common and often flattens over time when stored properly; severe curl can affect value. Store foils in a stable, dry environment (card storage guide).
Fake foils
Counterfeit foils exist, especially for expensive cards. Compare with genuine foils and check print quality. Buying from reputable sellers helps.
Foils in different products
The same foil card can come from different products with different scarcity:
- Set or Draft Booster foils: one foil slot, randomly any rarity
- Collector Booster foils: more foils per pack, plus foil special frames
- Commander deck foils: usually only the face commanders
- Secret Lair foils: limited drops, priced separately
Collector Boosters made foils more common in recent years, which is one reason modern foils don't always command a big premium.
How to price foil vs non-foil
Search the exact printing and finish. Marketplaces list foil and non-foil separately; make sure you're comparing the right one. A scanner may show the non-foil version by default, so confirm the finish yourself (MTG card scanner).
Try it on your own cards
Scan your foils with Rarefolio to identify the printing and see an estimated market value; tilt the card away from the light so the scan reads cleanly. For the bigger picture, see MTG cards worth money.
Frequently asked questions
Are foil Magic cards worth more?
Often, especially older foils and popular Commander cards. Foils of unpopular cards may be worth only slightly more than non-foils.
When were foil Magic cards introduced?
Foils were introduced in Urza's Legacy in 1999.
Why do foil Magic cards curl?
Humidity affects the foil layer and paper differently, causing a bend. Stable, dry storage helps.
What is an etched foil?
A foil finish with an etched metallic pattern, introduced in recent years, often on special frame cards.