Old Magic Cards Value: Alpha, Beta, Unlimited & Revised Guide
Are old Magic: The Gathering cards worth money? How to tell Alpha, Beta, Unlimited and Revised apart, which 90s cards are valuable, and how condition matters.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
If you or someone in your family played Magic in the 1990s, there could be valuable cards in that old deck box. The first printings from 1993–1994 and some early expansions are the most collectible Magic cards ever made.
The first core sets
| Set | Year | Border | How to recognize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha (Limited Edition) | 1993 | Black | Very rounded corners, no set symbol |
| Beta (Limited Edition) | 1993 | Black | Less rounded corners, no set symbol |
| Unlimited | 1993 | White | Bright colors, no set symbol |
| Revised | 1994 | White | Often washed-out colors, no set symbol |
Alpha and Beta are the most valuable; Unlimited follows; Revised was printed in large numbers and is much more affordable, except for dual lands.
Early expansions
- Arabian Nights (crescent moon symbol)
- Antiquities (anvil symbol)
- Legends (column symbol)
- The Dark (crescent moon over a cloud-like shape)
- Fallen Empires, Ice Age, Homelands, Alliances, Mirage and later sets
Each has a handful of valuable cards, often on the Reserved List.
Cards to look for
- The Power Nine and other iconic cards
- Dual lands (Underground Sea, Volcanic Island, etc.)
- Powerful Legends cards and famous rares from Arabian Nights and Antiquities
- Black-bordered cards (Alpha/Beta) of almost any rare
Not every old card is valuable
Common creatures and spells from Revised, Fourth Edition and Fifth Edition were printed in huge numbers. Fourth and Fifth Edition (white border, with set symbols "IV" and "V") are much less valuable than earlier printings.
Condition and authenticity
Early cards were played without sleeves. Edge wear, creases and fading are common, and value drops sharply with condition. High-value cards are counterfeited: check card stock and print quality, and consider buying graded. See card condition guide.
Collectors' Edition reprints
Collectors' Edition and International Edition cards (1993) have square corners and gold-bordered backs and are not tournament legal. They're collectible but worth less than Alpha/Beta.
Try it on your own cards
Scan your old Magic cards with Rarefolio to identify the set and see an estimated market value, then check border color and corners to confirm the printing. Read how to identify an MTG set for more clues.
Frequently asked questions
Are my old Magic cards worth anything?
Possibly. Alpha, Beta, Unlimited and early expansion rares can be valuable; Revised and later core set commons are usually not.
How can I tell if my Magic card is from Alpha?
Alpha cards have black borders, no set symbol and noticeably rounded corners compared with Beta.
Are Revised dual lands valuable?
Yes. Revised duals are the most affordable original dual lands but still valuable, since they're on the Reserved List.
What are gold-bordered Magic cards?
Collectors' Edition, International Edition and World Championship cards with gold-bordered backs; they're not tournament legal.