Are White Bordered Magic Cards Worth Anything?

You’ve probably noticed that some Magic: The Gathering cards have a white border while others have a black border. The white border is a little bit of Magic history!

The white border was used on cards printed between the Unlimited and Ninth Edition sets. These sets were reprints of earlier cards, so the white border signaled that the card wasn’t a first printing.

You might be wondering why they switched from the gray borders of the Revised Edition to white borders. Well, an early advertisement in *The Duelist #1* actually said that Revised cards would be gray-bordered, but the designers changed their minds and went with white borders, making them more similar to the Unlimited Edition cards.

So, if you see a white-bordered card, you know that it’s a reprint from a specific era in Magic’s history. They’re a fun reminder of the game’s past and can often be found at very affordable prices.

The white border also signifies a period of experimentation for Wizards of the Coast. They were figuring out the best way to print Magic cards, and they tried a few different things before settling on the black border we see today.

So next time you see a white-bordered card, take a moment to appreciate its history and its place in the world of Magic.

It’s easy to tell if a Magic card is rare or mythic rare. Almost all cards have an expansion set symbol on them to help you identify the rarity. The color of the symbol will tell you what rarity the card is:

Common: Black
Uncommon: Silver
Rare: Gold
Mythic Rare: Orange-red / Bronze

You can also look at the card’s frame to determine its rarity. Common cards have a simple black frame, while uncommon cards have a silver frame. Rare cards have a gold frame, and mythic rare cards have a special border that is both gold and black.

These symbols and frames are consistent across all Magic sets, so you can easily identify the rarity of any card. Keep in mind that rarity doesn’t always equal value. Some cards, even though they are common, are quite valuable depending on their popularity and demand in certain decks.

It’s best to use online resources, such as the Magic: The Gathering website, or reputable card price guides to determine the actual value of a Magic card. You can often find information about the rarity, printings, and market value of specific cards. And if you are looking to sell a card, you can find out what it is worth and how much it might sell for.

Remember, while the rarity of a card is a good indicator of its potential value, it is not the only factor that determines its price. Ultimately, the value of a card is determined by its demand and supply in the market.

White borders on playing cards are a common design feature for a reason. They help preserve the aesthetic value of the cards over time. Think about it – if cards didn’t have borders, the images and numbers printed on them would be more susceptible to wear and tear from constant shuffling and handling. This could lead to fading, smudging, and even tearing, making the cards difficult to read and play with.

The white borders act as a protective barrier around the essential artwork on the cards, safeguarding them from the elements and preventing damage. Imagine holding a card with no border. You’d be more likely to accidentally touch the printed areas with your fingers, leading to smudging and oil stains. The white border provides a safe zone to grip and shuffle, ensuring the artwork stays pristine for longer.

Furthermore, white borders create a crisp and clean look, making the card design more visually appealing. They help define the edges of the cards, giving them a polished and professional appearance. This is especially important for high-quality decks that are intended for both casual and competitive play.

Magic: The Gathering stopped printing cards with white borders in 2013 with the Ninth Edition set. This was the last set to feature white borders, which had been a staple of the game for many years.

However, there’s a bit of a twist! While the standard cards in Ninth Edition had white borders, the premium foil cards in this set actually had black borders. This was a unique feature for the set, as later sets with black borders would use them for all cards, both standard and premium.

The change from white to black borders was a significant one for Magic, and it was met with mixed reactions from players. Some fans were nostalgic for the white borders, while others welcomed the change as a way to modernize the game. Regardless of opinion, the black border became a defining characteristic of Magic sets from 2014 onwards.

The transition from white borders to black borders wasn’t simply a cosmetic change. It was a deliberate decision by Wizards of the Coast to create a more consistent and visually appealing look for the game. Black borders were perceived as being more modern and sophisticated, which helped to appeal to a wider audience.

However, the change was not without its detractors. Some players felt that the white borders were a part of Magic’s history and tradition, and that changing them was a mistake. Others argued that the white borders were simply too bright and distracting, and that black borders were a better choice for a game that was increasingly popular and mainstream.

The move to black borders was a major shift for Magic, and it had a lasting impact on the game. It helped to create a more unified look for the cards, and it also made the game more accessible to new players. While some fans still miss the white borders, the majority of players have come to accept the black border as the standard, and it’s become a defining feature of Magic: The Gathering.

You’re looking for Magic sets with white borders, right? Let me explain.

Magic sets fall into two categories: expansion sets and Core Sets. Core Sets are released yearly, while expansion sets come out more frequently. Before the 6th Edition, Core Sets were released every two years with white borders and no expansion symbol.

Here’s the thing: Those older Core Sets are the ones with white borders! Think Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, Revised, 4th Edition, and 5th Edition. These sets are a bit of a collector’s dream, especially for those of us who started playing Magic back in the day. They hold a special place in the hearts of many players, and their white borders are a clear sign of their vintage status.

Now, if you’re looking to get your hands on some of these sets, be prepared to pay a little extra! Their rarity and historical significance make them quite valuable, especially in good condition. But if you’re a seasoned Magic player, finding a mint copy of an old Core Set can be a truly rewarding experience. It’s like holding a piece of Magic history in your hands!

You’re probably wondering if those white-bordered cards you have in your collection are legal to play in Commander. The good news is, yes, they are!

All regular-sized black- and white-bordered Magic cards released by Wizards of the Coast are allowed in Commander. This includes cards from older sets with white borders, as long as they are officially printed and not altered.

It’s important to remember that silver-bordered cards are not legal in Commander. These cards are designed for casual play and have different rules, so they don’t fit in with the established Commander rules.

To be clear, white borders are fine, black borders are fine, and even multicolored borders are fine as long as they were released by Wizards of the Coast and not altered.

So, you can breathe easy and add those white-bordered beauties to your Commander deck. Just make sure they’re not silver-bordered!

You might be wondering why white bordered cards are allowed in Commander when they’re not considered legal in other formats like Standard or Modern. The reason is that Commander is a more casual format, so it allows for a wider range of cards. This opens the door for fun and unique strategies that wouldn’t be possible in other formats.

If you’re looking to add some nostalgia or spice to your Commander deck, white-bordered cards are a great option. They can add a unique flavor to your deck and make for some interesting gameplay experiences.

Keep in mind that some white-bordered cards might have rules or abilities that are considered “unbalanced” in Commander, so it’s always a good idea to check the card’s text carefully before adding it to your deck. But overall, white-bordered cards are a fun and legal addition to the Commander format.

You can easily tell if a card is rare by looking at the rarity symbol on the bottom right corner of the card.

A circle means the card is common.
A diamond indicates an uncommon card.
A star means the card is rare.

Some cards have unique symbols that signify they’re ultra rare. These symbols can vary depending on the set, but they’re usually more elaborate than the standard rarity symbols. For example, some sets might use a foil stamp or a special border to indicate an ultra rare card.

It’s always fun to find a rare card! So, keep an eye out for those rarity symbols and you might be surprised by what you find in your collection.

Identifying Ultra Rare Cards:

If you’re looking for ultra rare cards, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, ultra rare cards are typically more valuable than common, uncommon, or even rare cards. They’re often sought after by collectors and can be a great investment.

Here are some tips for identifying ultra rare cards:

Look for unique symbols: As mentioned earlier, ultra rare cards often have unique symbols that distinguish them from other cards. These symbols can be anything from foil stamps to special borders to alternative art.
Check the card’s printing: Some ultra rare cards have a different printing process than regular cards. For example, they might be printed on thicker cardstock or have a glossy finish.
Research the set: If you’re unsure whether a card is ultra rare, it’s always a good idea to research the set it came from. You can find information about ultra rare cards on websites like TCGPlayer or Card Kingdom.

Remember, identifying ultra rare cards takes time, patience, and a keen eye. But with a little bit of knowledge, you can increase your chances of finding these valuable treasures!

You might be surprised to learn that Magic: The Gathering cards come in a variety of border colors! These colors can tell you a lot about the card and its history. Let’s dive into the world of Magic borders:

Black borders are the most common type. These cards are legal in all formats of Magic, unless they have been banned.
White borders are also standard and legal in all formats, just like their black-bordered counterparts.
Silver borders are found on cards from Un-sets, which are special sets that are designed to be funny and sometimes a bit silly. These cards aren’t typically legal in any official formats. Un-sets are a great way to try out new mechanics and themes without taking things too seriously.
Gold borders are reserved for tournament and promotional cards. These cards are usually very special, and they aren’t legal in standard tournaments. They’re like a treasure trove of special edition cards, often given out as prizes at events or as special promotions.

While these cards might not be legal in sanctioned tournaments, they can be a lot of fun to collect and play with! It’s always exciting to find a gold-bordered card in your collection. You’ll know it’s a rare and valuable find!

You’re right, the history of white-bordered Magic cards is fascinating! It’s a bit of a side story, but a story worth telling.

Initially, Wizards of the Coast decided that all reprinted cards should have white borders. This made sense at the time – it was a way to distinguish reprinted cards from their original versions. However, it quickly became clear that this policy wasn’t ideal.

First, it was confusing. Imagine you’re a player trying to build a deck, and you’re looking for a specific card. You see two versions of that card, one with a white border and one without. Which one is the real deal? Which one is more valuable? It caused a lot of headaches for players and retailers alike.

Second, the policy was frustrating. Players who collected older cards, the ones with the black borders, felt like they were being forced to accept a lesser version of their beloved cards. They had these “classic” cards, and now they had these new ones with these big, white borders that just didn’t look right.

And third, it made it hard for Wizards of the Coast to create new sets and products. They wanted to reprint older cards, but they didn’t want to alienate players who felt strongly about the black borders.

So, what happened? Well, Wizards of the Coast realized their mistake. They scrapped the white border policy and decided to go back to the old way of doing things. It wasn’t long before all new sets and reprints went back to using black borders.

This is a bit of a simplified explanation, and there are certainly more details to be found. But, for a general understanding of the white-bordered era in Magic’s history, this should give you a good starting point.

The gold border on Magic cards serves a practical purpose: distinguishing them from regular cards. Back in 1996, when Magic was frequently played with card sleeves, a new type of Magic card was introduced with a unique back design, while the front sported a gold border. This was a clever way to prevent players from trying to use these cards in tournaments. The gold border served as a clear signal that these were special edition cards, not meant for competitive play.

To further differentiate them, each card even had a pro player’s autograph printed on the front, also in gold. This made them a coveted collectible for fans. These “gold bordered” cards, often referred to as “foil cards,” are a testament to the creative ways Magic has evolved over the years. It’s a great example of how even a simple design choice can add an extra layer of meaning and value to a game. The gold border isn’t just a fancy embellishment; it’s a marker of history, a reminder of the game’s evolution, and a testament to the passion of its players.

It’s great that you’re interested in playing Magic: The Gathering! You might have noticed that some cards have white borders, and you’re probably wondering if they’re legal to use in today’s games. Let’s talk about that!

White bordered cards were mostly from older core sets. The idea was to distinguish them from the “expert” sets that were released at the same time. But don’t worry, most of those white-bordered cards are still legal in current formats if they have the same name as a card that is legal in that particular format.

For example, a white-bordered 6th Edition Giant Growth is legal because it was reprinted in Return to Ravnica, which is a much newer set. This means that a white-bordered Giant Growth would have the exact same text as the reprinted one. This way, you can use your older cards without any problems!

You might be thinking, “But what about all the cards that weren’t reprinted?” Well, you’re right, some of those cards are no longer legal in most formats. This is because Magic has a lot of rules about what cards are allowed to be played. Think of it this way, the game has changed a lot over time, and new cards have been printed, so some of the older cards just don’t fit in anymore.

There are some formats, like Vintage, that allow all cards, no matter what border they have. This means you can use those really old cards if you like! If you’re interested in playing those formats, I’d recommend checking out the rules online.

But if you’re looking to play in a more modern format like Standard, you’ll want to make sure your cards have a black border. These cards are the ones that are currently printed and are legal in those formats.

It’s important to note that while white-bordered cards are legal in certain formats, there are some exceptions. For instance, if a card was banned in a format, even if it was later reprinted with a black border, the older versions with a white border will still be illegal in that format. This is to keep the game fair and balanced.

So, there you have it! White-bordered cards are generally legal in formats if they share the same name as a legal black-bordered card. Just make sure you check the format rules before you start playing. Good luck!

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