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Edition Guide

DSO Games  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?"

 

Most Magic the Gathering cards have a unique expansion symbol on the right side in about the middle of the card. Each of these symbols represents a certain set (Sets are also referred to as Editions or Releases). The Champions of Kamigawa Expansion Symbol on the card below denotes that this card is from the Champions of Kamigawa set. 
Gifts Ungiven from Champions of Kamigawa 
The early Base / Core Sets did not have expansion symbols and are more difficult to determine which set they are from.
Base or Core Sets-

Alpha

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

Beta

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

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
Unlimited Serra Angel

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
Revised Serra Angel

4th Edition and 5th Edition

- 4th Edition has a 1995 copyright
- 5th Edition has a 1997 copyright
- White bordered
- No expansion symbol

4th Edition Date

5th Edition Date

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 
6th Edition Expansion Symbols
7th Edition Expansion Symbols 
8th Edition Expansion Symbols
9th Edition Expansion Symbols

10th Edition
(copyright 1993-2007)

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

Magic 2010 / M10
(copyright 1993-2009)

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

Magic 2011 / M11
(copyright 1993-2010)

- Magic 2011 / M11 has foil versions 
- Black bordered
- Expansion symbol displays the shortened name of the set
Magic 2011 / M11 Expansion Symbols
Expansion Sets-
All these expansion sets are black bordered.
Name/Copyright
foil?
Expansion Symbol
Mirrodin Besieged 
(copyright 1993-2011)
foil
Mirrodin Besieged Expansion Symbols
Scars of Mirrodin 
(copyright 1993-2010)
foil
Scars of Mirrodin Expansion Symbols
Rise of the Eldrazi 
(copyright 1993-2010)
foil
Rise of the Eldrazi Expansion Symbols
Worldwake 
(copyright 1993-2010)
foil
Worldwake Expansion Symbols
Zendikar 
(copyright 1993-2009)
foil
Zendikar Expansion Symbols
Alara Reborn 
(copyright 1993-2009)
foil
Alara Reborn Expansion Symbols
Conflux 
(copyright 1993-2009)
foil
Conflux Expansion Symbols
Shards of Alara 
(copyright 1993-2008)
foil
Shards of Alara Expansion Symbols
Eventide 
(copyright 1993-2008)
foil
Eventide Expansion Symbols
Shadowmoor 
(copyright 1993-2008)
foil
Shadowmoor Sight Expansion Symbols
Morningtide 
(copyright 1993-2008)
foil
Morningtide Expansion Symbols
Lorwyn 
(copyright 1993-2007)
foil
Lorwyn Expansion Symbols
Future Sight 
(copyright 1993-2007)
foil
Future Sight Expansion Symbols
Planar Chaos 
(copyright 1993-2007)
foil
Planar Chaos Expansion Symbols
Time Spiral 
Time Spiral - Timeshifted 
(copyright 1993-2006)
foil
foil
Time Spiral Expansion Symbols
Time Spiral - Timeshifted Expansion Symbols
Coldsnap
(copyright 1993-2006)
foil
Coldsnap Expansion Symbols
Dissension
(copyright 1993-2006)
foil
Dissension Expansion Symbols
Guildpact
(copyright 1993-2006)
foil
Guildpact Expansion Symbols
Ravnica City of Guilds 
(copyright 1993-2005)
foil
Ravnica City of Guilds Expansion Symbols
Saviors of Kamigawa 
(copyright 1993-2005)
foil
Saviors of Kamigawa Expansion Symbols
Betrayers of Kamigawa 
(copyright 1993-2005)
foil
Betrayer's of Kamigawa Expansion Symbols
Champions of Kamigawa 
(copyright 1993-2004)
foil
Champions of Kamigawa Expansion Symbols
Fifth Dawn 
(copyright 1993-2004)
foil
Fifth Dawn Expansion Symbols
Dark Steel 
(copyright 1993-2004)
foil
Dark Steel Expansion Symbols
Mirrodin
(copyright 1993-2003)
foil
Mirrodin Expansion Symbols
Scourge
(copyright 1993-2003)
foil
Scourge Expansion Symbols
Legions
(copyright 1993-2003)
foil
Legions Expansion Symbols
Onslaught
(copyright 1993-2002)
foil
Onslaught Expansion Symbols
Judgment
(copyright 1993-2002)
foil
Judgment Expansion Symbols
Torment
(copyright 1993-2002)
foil
Torment Expansion Symbols
Odyssey
(copyright 1993-2001)
foil
Odyssey Expansion Symbols
Apocalypse
(copyright 1993-2001)
foil
Apocalypse Expansion Symbols
Planeshift
(copyright 1993-2001)
foil
Planeshift Expansion Symbols
Invasion
(copyright 1993-2000)
foil
Invasion Expansion Symbols
Prophecy
(copyright 1993-2000)
foil
Prophecy Expansion Symbols
Nemesis
(copyright 1993-2000)
foil
Nemesis Expansion Symbols
Mercadian Masques
(copyright 1993-1999)
foil
Mercadian Masques Expansion Symbols
Urza's Destiny 
(copyright 1993-1999)
foil
Urza's Destiny Expansion Symbols
Urza's Legacy
(copyright 1993-1999)
foil
Urza's Legacy Expansion Symbols
Urza's Saga 
(copyright 1993-1998)
no
foil
Urza's Saga Expansion Symbols
Exodus
(copyright 1993-1998)
no
foil 
Exodus Expansion Symbols
Stronghold
(copyright 1998)
no
foil
Stronghold Expansion Symbol
Tempest
(copyright 1997)
no
foil
Tempest Expansion Symbol
Weatherlight
(copyright 1997)
no
foil
Weatherlight Expansion Symbol
Visions
(copyright 1996)
no
foil
Visions Expansion Symbol
Mirage
(copyright 1996)
no
foil
Mirage Expansion Symbol
Alliances
(copyright 1996)
no
foil
Alliances Expansion Symbol
Homelands 
(copyright 1995)
no
foil 
Homelands Expansion Symbol
Ice Age 
(copyright 1995)
no
foil 
Ice Age Expansion Symbol
Fallen Empires 
(copyright 1994)
no
foil
Fallen Empires Expansion Symbol
The Dark 
(copyright 1994)
no
foil
The Dark Expansion Symbol
Legends 
(copyright 1994)
no
foil 
Legends Expansion Symbol
Antiquities 
(no copyright)
no
foil 
Antiquities Expansion Symbol
Arabian Nights 
(no copyright)
no
foil 
Arabian Nights Expansion Symbol
Specialty Sets
The Specialty Sets can be tricky as they often contain reprints that include the expansion symbols from previous editions.
Anthologies
(copyright 1993-1998)
- White bordered 
- All cards are reprints from Base Sets, Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, The Dark, Fallen Empires, Ice Age, Homelands, Alliances, Mirage, Visions, Weatherlight, Tempest, Stronghold, Exodus, Urza's Saga, Portal, Portal Second Age, Portal Three Kingdoms, Unglued, and Arena League
- Each card has its original expansion symbols
no
foil
Anthologies Expansion Symbols

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
no
foil
Archenemy Expansion Symbols
Battle Royale 
(copyright 1993-1999)
- White bordered 
- All cards are reprints from Base Sets, Arabian Nights, Legends, The Dark, Ice Age, Mirage, Visions, Tempest, Stronghold, Exodus, Urza's Saga, Urza's Legacy, Portal, Portal Second Age, Portal Three Kingdoms and Unglued
- Each card has its original expansion symbols unless its a base set reprint
no
foil
Battle Royal Expansion Symbols
Beatdown
(copyright 1993-2000), White bordered
not all
foil
Beatdown Expansion Symbols

Chronicles
(copyright 1995)
- White bordered 
- All cards are reprints from Arabian Nights, Antiquites, Legends and the Dark
- Each card has its original expansion symbols
no
foil
Chronicles 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
no
foil
Coldsnap Theme Deck Reprints Expansion Symbols
Collectors' Edition
(no copyright)
- Black bordered
- Same cards as beta 
- Square corners
- Gold trim on back edges 
- "Collectors' Edition" on back in gold lettering
no
foil
Collectors' Edition Serra Angel
Collectors' Edition International 
(no copyright)
- Black bordered
- Same cards as beta 
- Square corners
- Gold trim on back edges 
- "International Edition" on back in gold lettering 
no
foil
Collectors' Edition International Serra Angel
Deckmasters
(copyright 1993-2001), White bordered
not all 
foil
Deckmasters Expansion Symbols

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
not all
foil
Divine vs. Demonic Expansion Symbols

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
not all
foil
Elspeth vs. Tezzeret Expansion Symbols

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
not all
foil
Elves vs. Goblins Expansion Symbols

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
not all
foil
Garruk vs. Liliana Expansion Symbols

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
not all
foil
Jace vs. Chandra Expansion Symbols

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
not all
foil
Knights vs. Dragons Expansion Symbols

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
not all
foil
Phyrexia vs. The Coalition Expansion Symbols
From The Vault: Dragons 
(copyright 1993-2008)
- Black bordered
all
foil
From The Vault: Dragons Expansion Symbols
From The Vault: Exiled 
(copyright 1993-2009)
- Black bordered
all
foil
From The Vault: Exiled Expansion Symbols
From The Vault: Relics 
(copyright 1993-2010)
- Black bordered
all
foil
From The Vault: Relics Expansion Symbols
Planechase 
(copyright 1993-2009)
- Black bordered
- Special Plane Cards are also included in the Planechase set, with the same expansion symbol
no
foil
Planechase Expansion Symbols
Portal
(copyright 1997), Black bordered
no
foil
Portal Expansion Symbols
Portal Second Age 
(copyright 1993-1998), Black bordered
no
foil
Portal Second Age Expansion Symbols
Portal Three Kingdoms 
(copyright 1993-1999), White bordered
no
foil
Portal Three Kingdoms Expansion Symbols
Premium Deck Series: Fire & Lightning 
(copyright 1993-2010)
- Black bordered
all
foil
Premium Deck Series: Fire & Lightning Expansion Symbols
Premium Deck Series: Slivers 
(copyright 1993-2009)
- Black bordered
all
foil
Premium Deck Series: Slivers Expansion Symbols
Starter 1999
(copyright 1993-1999), White bordered 
no
foil
Starter 1999 Expansion Symbols
Unglued
(copyright 1993-1998), Black and Silver bordered
no
foil
Unglued Expansion Symbols
Unhinged
(copyright 1993-2004), Black and Silver bordered 
foil
Unhinged Expansion Symbols
Vanguard
(copyright 1993-1997,1998,or 1999)
- Oversized, do not fit in a standard deck
no
foil
 Vanguard Serra
Promo Cards
Promo cards are usually special versions of existing cards. They often have "DCI" in place of an expansion symbol. CCGHouse usually has every promo listed with pictures in the promo section. If you are not sure if a card is a promo, check the Promo section.


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