MTG Card Scanner: Price Magic: The Gathering Cards by Photo
Scan Magic: The Gathering cards to find the right printing, foil and price. Tips for old frames, foils, showcase variants and bulk collections.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Magic: The Gathering has been printing cards since 1993, and popular cards have been reprinted many times. One card name can have a dozen printings with prices ranging from a few cents to hundreds of dollars. An MTG card scanner helps by matching the exact printing from a photo.
Why MTG is tricky to price
- Reprints: staple cards appear in many sets, Commander products and Secret Lair drops.
- Treatments: borderless, showcase, extended art, retro frame, etched foil, galaxy foil and more.
- Foil vs non-foil: same art, different price (foil vs non-foil).
- Old editions: Alpha, Beta, Unlimited and Revised look similar to a casual eye (old MTG card values).
- Languages: some languages carry a premium for certain eras.
What to check after each scan
- Set symbol and collector number at the bottom left on modern cards (e.g. "123/281 R · DMU"). See how to identify an MTG set.
- Rarity: the set symbol's color shows it (black = common, silver = uncommon, gold = rare, orange-red = mythic rare). See MTG rarity symbols.
- Foil: tilt the card in the light.
- Frame and border: borderless and extended art versions cost more.
Scanning tips for Magic cards
- Scan foils at an angle to the light, and avoid direct overhead lamps.
- Old cards (pre-2003 frame) have no collector numbers, so the scanner leans on artwork and the expansion symbol. Double-check the edition.
- Make sure the bottom line with the set code is in frame for modern cards.
- For bulk, scan rares and mythics first: most commons are worth very little individually.
Which MTG cards are worth scanning first?
- Anything with an orange (mythic) or gold (rare) set symbol
- Old cards from the 1990s, especially those on the Reserved List
- Foils and special treatments of popular Commander cards
- Lands with unusual art (dual lands, fetch lands, shock lands, full-art basics in some sets)
Our list of MTG cards worth money goes deeper.
Try it on your own cards
Rarefolio scans Magic cards alongside Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and One Piece. It identifies the card, shows an estimated market value with sources from eBay, TCGplayer and Cardmarket, and adds cards to collections with a total value. You can edit card details if the printing needs correcting. For a broader overview see best card scanner apps.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to scan Magic cards?
Dedicated MTG apps are strong for deck building, while multi-game scanners like Rarefolio are useful if your collection includes other games. Test a few on foils and old cards.
Can a scanner tell foil from non-foil MTG cards?
Not always from one photo. Check the finish yourself and pick the matching version if the result shows the wrong one.
How do I price old Magic cards without collector numbers?
Use the expansion symbol, border color and copyright line. Alpha has more rounded corners than Beta, and Unlimited has a white border.
Are bulk MTG commons worth anything?
Individually, usually only cents. Some sell as bulk lots by the thousand, but check rares, mythics and foils first.