If you have a box of old Magic cards from the 1990s or early 2000s, there is a real chance some of them are valuable. Magic cards from the game's first decade have appreciated significantly, and even cards that were considered bulk at the time can be worth surprising amounts today. The challenge is figuring out which cards in your collection actually have value without spending hours manually searching each one.

The fastest approach is to use a card scanner app like Lotus Scan. Simply point your iPhone camera at each card and the app will identify the card, determine which set it is from, and show you the current market price. For a box of a few hundred old cards, you can get through the entire collection in under an hour and know exactly what you have.

When checking old cards, pay attention to a few key indicators of value. First, look at the set symbol. Cards from Alpha and Beta (1993) have no set symbol at all. Revised (1994) also has no set symbol but has white borders. Cards with a set symbol in gold or orange (mythic rare or rare) are most likely to be valuable. Second, check the card condition. For vintage cards, condition dramatically affects price. A near-mint Revised Dual Land is worth significantly more than a heavily played copy.

Some of the most valuable old cards to look for include the original Dual Lands from Revised (Underground Sea, Volcanic Island, Tundra, etc.), early format staples like Force of Will and Mana Drain, Reserved List cards that can never be reprinted, and any card from Alpha or Beta regardless of rarity. Even Alpha and Beta basic lands are worth $20 to $100 or more.

After scanning your collection with Lotus Scan, sort the results by value. Cards worth $5 or more should be moved into protective sleeves if they are not already. Cards worth $50 or more deserve top loaders or magnetic cases. For anything exceptionally valuable, consider professional grading from PSA or CGC to authenticate the card and lock in its condition for resale.

Do not clean, bend, or alter old cards before scanning or selling them. Any attempt to improve a card's appearance typically reduces its value. Scan them as-is and let the market price guide your next steps.