How to Identify Rare Magic the Gathering Cards

When you’re about to open a Magic booster pack, many exciting possibilities await.  You’ll encounter anything from your typical wizard, like Elementalist Adept, to epic Planeswalkers like Ajani, Caller of the Pride.

Whether battling, collecting, or both, learning how to identify rare Magic the Gathering cards is essential. Thankfully, most rare Magic the Gathering cards can be quickly recognized by their rarity symbols, which we’ll show you in this guide.

However, other rare MTG cards are challenging to find due to their age, limited runs, or promotional releases. In fact, a “Common” rarity card from the early 200s may ultimately be more scarce than MTG rare cards from the most recent set releases.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to tell if a MTG card is rare and everything else you need to know. If you want to add unique pieces to your collection, check out Danireon! We are the #1 destination with rare MTG cards for sale in North America. We maintain a diverse selection of Magic The Gathering rare cards, along with speedy shipping and fantastic customer service, to make your shopping experience a breeze.

What Makes Magic the Gathering Cards Rare?

With tens of thousands of cards and a three-year history, Magic the Gathering runs the gamut from basic land cards to ultra-rare one-of-a-kind cards like Black Lotus.

Most rare Magic the Gathering cards fall into one or two categories: limited runs (as with Mythic Rare MTG cards), promotional releases, or discontinuations.

Understanding these factors will teach you how to tell if a MTG card is rare so you know you’re paying an appropriate price for individual cards.

Print Runs

Outside of promotional releases, most rare MTG cards are released in sets. Sets are released four to six times yearly and contain 200 to 400+ cards.

However, pull rates across a set are not a monolith. Common cards, like Wary Thespian, will cover more than half of a booster pack. Conversely, Mythic Rare MTG cards, like Vivien Reid, only appear once every 8 to 10 packs.

This means that most rare Magic the Gathering cards can be several times more difficult to find. It’s why you need to learn how to identify rare Magic the Gathering cards by their symbols–it can save you from overpaying for a Common or Uncommon card that you could easily find in your next booster pack.

Set Exclusivity

A convenient quirk of Magic the Gathering is the presence of reprint cards. Throughout the game’s history, iconic cards have received brand-new versions in new sets. This allows you to experience classic game mechanics in a new way–some old cards may suddenly become viable with the change in meta or new complementary cards.

However, this isn’t true of all cards. Some Magic the Gathering rare cards are one-of-a-kind, usually those from promotional or collaborative releases. 

The recent Assasin’s Creed x Magic the Gathering cards are a great example. These cards likely won’t see any future releases, making them far more difficult to find in the coming years.

Following promotional card releases is an easy way to learn how to tell if a MTG card is rare. 

Age and Discontinuation

Another reliable way to learn how to identify rare Magic the Gathering cards is to look for vintage art styles.

Many rare cards come from older set releases dating back to the 1990s. As the supply of older cards naturally drops over time, the remaining cards become more challenging to find.

Some of the most rare MTG cards are discontinued vintage cards in high-quality condition. The most famous example is the original Black Lotus, which has had PSA 10 versions sell for over 1 million dollars.

Black Lotus is on the “Reserved List,” a collection of MTG rare cards that will never receive new set releases. Many Magic the Gathering rare cards fall on this list, and thanks to the intervention of the game’s creators, they will remain scarce.

How Rarity Influences Card Value

One of the primary motivations for learning how to identify rare Magic the Gathering cards is to ensure that you are paying and receiving proper value when trading pieces to or from your collection.

Magic the Gathering rare cards will constantly rise in value on the secondary market. Their price increases as cards become more popular, whether for their gameplay mechanics or limited supply.

So, if you have any MTG rare cards in your collection, you may want to hold on to them for the long term–they could double in price before long.

How to Identify Rare Magic the Gathering Cards

Now that you know what enables MTG rare cards to exist and rise in value, it’s time to add some to your collection!

To start your journey, you’ll need to know how to identify rare Magic the Gathering cards. For most rare MTG cards, that means learning what each rarity symbol and color means, understanding the value of foil and alt art cards, and analyzing market trends.

For promotional and limited MTG rare cards, you’ll also want to know the difference between a common promotion and those unique, one-of-a-kind cards.

Rarity Symbols

The simplest way to pinpoint rare MTG cards is to look at their symbol. Every MTG card has a symbol in one of four colors: Black, Silver, Gold, and Bronze (sometimes called Orange or Red).

You’ll find this symbol usually on the right side of the center of the card, in the same bar that describes the card’s type. This isn’t always the case, though–the card can be located at the bottom of the card for full-art (like Plains (REX-021)) or Saga cards (like Fall of the First Civilization).

The colors stand for:

• Common (Black)

• Uncommon (Silver)

• Rare (Gold)

• Mythic Rare (Bronze/Orange/Red)

Common cards usually make up 10 or 11 of the 15 cards in a booster pack. Uncommon cards show up 3 or 4 times per pack. There is one guaranteed Rare per pack, which ends up as a Mythic Rare every 8 packs.

Foil and Alternate Art Variants

Foil cards show up roughly once every 6 packs, which is more common than the pull rate for Mythic Rares. Foil cards can be any rarity, showcasing the card with extra shine. These are priced separately from the base form of the card, even though the mechanics are the same (for example, Pia Nalaar Consul of Revival compared to the foil version).

Alternate art cards work the same way as foils but are even scarcer on the secondary market.

Set Codes and Collector Numbers

The next part of your detective work is analyzing a card’s set code and number.

The set code for a card is a three-letter abbreviation unique to each release. For example, Wick the Whorled Mind has the set code BLB, denoting that it is part of the Bloomburrow release.

The collector number indicates the card’s place within a set. For example, Isperia, Supreme Judge RTR-171, is the 171st card in Return to Ravnica.

If a card is numbered higher than the total number of cards in a set or otherwise has a unique collector number, it’s likely a rare find.

Examining Limited-Edition Releases

Besides pulls from sealed booster packs and boxes, Magic also releases promotional cards in unique circumstances.

This can include awards for participating in local tournaments like Friday Night Magic, pre-release cards like Gandalf, Friend of the Shire, and Judge cards given to people who work at official events.

These cards can be extremely scarce, but not always. Event reward promos are more common, while specific competitive tournament prizes are rarer.

Market Trends and Secondary Market Pricing

The secondary market for Magic cards is massive. Millions of cards are in circulation, and more are added with every release.

Shifts in card demand can occur due to meta changes, bans or restrictions, or reprints. If collectors fall in love with a card, its price will skyrocket in response to the lowered supply.

That’s why staying on top of the market's trends is crucial. Tracking trends will help you maximize the value of your purchases or trades.

Figuring out which MTG cards are rare is relatively simple. Check the rarity symbol and set number, compare it against market trends, and you’re ready to trade.

If you’re ready to test out your newfound skills, you’ll need to get some booster packs and cards in your hands. Your search for a card game store in North America with everything you need to grow your collection ends here at Danireon!

Discover the Most Rare Magic the Gathering Cards at Great Prices Here at Danireon!

Card game pros and seasoned collectors across Canada trust Danireon to deliver high-quality cards with speedy shipping and reasonable prices.

We’re your one-stop shop for all things sealed Magic the Gathering, including booster packs, boxes, Magic the Gathering commander decks, and beyond. 

Our diverse inventory features pieces from 25+ sets, including all the latest Standard releases and promo cards. We also monitor market trends to provide accurate pricing that ensures you always get the best deal.

If you want to get your hands on MTG cards before anyone else in the hopes of finding valuable mythics, we also sell Magic the Gathering pre-orders for the newest releases. And with our lightning-fast delivery or in-person pickup options, you’ll always be ahead of the curve.

Beyond cards, we sell Magic the Gathering accessories, including playmats and card sleeves, so that you can throw your personal touches into your collection.

And one of the best parts about shopping with us is just how seamless the experience is. Our team has been playing card games for decades, mastering all of the ins and outs of how to get into Magic the Gathering.

You can talk to us anytime for assistance with building decks, finding new rare cards, and preserving your rarest cards.

Parting Thoughts on How to Tell if a MTG Card is Rare

MTG cards can be exceedingly rare–like the Power Nine’s most notorious member, Black Lotus.

But there are plenty of standard cards out there that are plentiful and affordable.

That’s why learning how to identify rare Magic the Gathering cards is a must for any collector, whether you’re brand new or a seasoned pro.

Once you know what makes a card valuable, you should join in on the action yourself! The best place to find common and rare MTG cards is here at Danireon. 

We’ve been in the card game industry for years, helping fans experience the joys of competitive play and the unbridled rush of finding a rare card in a booster pack.

With nearly 3,000 individual MTG cards in our inventory, plus all of the latest sealed products, we have everything you need. Plus, we even run a free Discord server that you can join to master new strategies in a friendly environment.

If you’re ready to start your Magic journey, browse our online store today!