Edition Guide

CCGHouse.com Guide to determine what edition a Magic the Gathering card is from.

If you would like to know how to tell what set a particular Magic card is from, this web page will show you. Also, this page will answer the age old question - "How do I tell the difference between Revised / 3rd Edition and Unlimited?"

Alpha

- More rounded corners than any other Magic cards.
- Black bordered
- No expansion symbol
- No copyright date

Beta

- Near identical to Alpha except they have regular rounded corners
- Black bordered
- No expansion symbol
- No copyright date

Unlimited

At first Unlimited and Revised / 3rd Edition cards look the same, but they have some very unique differences. Once you see them, its quite easy to tell them apart.

- White bordered
- No expansion symbol
- No copyright date 
- Title text is more left justified than Revised / 3rd Edition 
- Inside border is double beveled
- Ink is generally darker than Revised / 3rd Edition

Revised / 3rd Edition

- White bordered
- No expansion symbol
- No copyright date 
- Title text is more right justified than Unlimited 
- Inside border is single beveled
- Ink is generally lighter than Unlimited

6th Edition
(copyright 1993-1999)
7th Edition
(copyright 1993-2001) 
8th Edition
(copyright 1993-2003) 
9th Edition
(copyright 1993-2005)

- White bordered
- Unique expansion symbols
- 7th, 8th, and 9th have foil versions 

10th Edition
(copyright 1993-2007)

- 10th Edition has foil versions 
- Black bordered
- Unique expansion symbol

Magic 2010 / M10
(copyright 1993-2009)

- Magic 2010 / M10 has foil versions 
- Black bordered
- Expansion symbol displays the shortened name of the set

Magic 2011 / M11
(copyright 1993-2010)

- Magic 2011 / M11 has foil versions 
- Black bordered
- Expansion symbol displays the shortened name of the set

Archenemy 
(copyright 1993-2010)
- Black bordered 
- Reprinted cards with a new expansion symbol
- Special Scheme Cards are also included in the Archenemy set, and include the same Archenemy expansion symbol

Chronicles
(copyright 1995)
- White bordered 
- All cards are reprints from Arabian Nights, Antiquites, Legends and the Dark
- Each card has its original expansion symbols

Coldsnap Theme Deck Reprints 
(copyright 1993-2006)
- Black bordered 
- All cards are reprints from Ice Age and Alliances
- Each card has a similar expansion symbol to the original, but the symbols are somewhat updated and more modern - looking
- Not a typical individual set; found in the Coldsnap Theme Decks

Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic 
(copyright 1993-2009)
- Black bordered 
- Reprinted cards with a new expansion symbol
- Features alternate or new artwork on several cards

Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Tezzeret 
(copyright 1993-2010)
- Black bordered 
- Reprinted cards with a new expansion symbol
- Features alternate or new artwork on several cards

Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins 
(copyright 1993-2007)
- Black bordered 
- Reprinted cards with a new expansion symbol
- Features alternate or new artwork on several cards

Duel Decks: Garruk vs. Liliana
(copyright 1993-2009)
- Black bordered 
- Reprinted cards with a new expansion symbol
- Features alternate or new artwork on several cards

Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra 
(copyright 1993-2008)
- Black bordered 
- Reprinted cards with a new expansion symbol
- Features alternate or new artwork on several cards

Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons 
(copyright 1993-2011)
- Black bordered 
- Reprinted cards with a new expansion symbol
- Features alternate or new artwork on several cards

Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. The Coalition 
(copyright 1993-2010)
- Black bordered 
- Reprinted cards with a new expansion symbol
- Features alternate or new artwork on several cards