Lotus ScanBest MTG Scanner for Alpha/Beta Cards Cards
Learn why Alpha/Beta Cards cards are challenging to scan and how to get the best results with the right app.
Alpha and Beta are the first two print runs of Magic: The Gathering, released in 1993, and they contain some of the most valuable cards in the game's history. A single Alpha Black Lotus has sold for over $500,000, and even common cards from these sets carry substantial value. Scanning these cards requires a scanner that understands the subtle differences between Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, and Revised printings. Lotus Scan is designed to handle vintage Magic cards with the care and accuracy that these irreplaceable collectibles demand.
Why Alpha/Beta Cards Cards Are Hard to Scan
Alpha cards have distinctively rounded corners compared to all other Magic printings, and this physical difference can affect how scanners detect card edges.
The visual differences between Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited printings are extremely subtle, often limited to border color saturation and print quality, yet the price differences can be thousands of dollars.
Vintage cards are often worn, faded, or have surface damage that degrades the image quality available to a scanner.
Many Alpha and Beta cards have never been reprinted with the same artwork, but scanners may still confuse them with later printings that share the same illustration.
How Lotus Scan Handles Alpha/Beta Cards Cards
Lotus Scan's recognition model is trained on high-resolution scans of Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited printings, capturing the subtle color and print quality differences between sets.
The scanner accounts for card wear and aging, maintaining accurate identification even on cards with moderate play damage or fading.
Price data for Alpha and Beta cards includes condition-based ranges so you can estimate value relative to your card's condition.
Edge detection works reliably with Alpha's rounded corners without requiring the card to be removed from its protective case or sleeve.
Scan Alpha/Beta Cards Cards with Confidence
Download Lotus Scan and start scanning your alpha/beta cards cards today.
Tips for Scanning Alpha/Beta Cards Cards
- 1Never remove an Alpha or Beta card from its protective case or sleeve just to scan it. Lotus Scan works through sleeves and most top loaders.
- 2Scan in natural or diffused lighting to capture the true border color, as warm artificial lighting can make Beta's dark black border appear similar to Unlimited's lighter border.
- 3If your scan returns an Unlimited result for what you believe is a Beta card, compare the border edge carefully. Beta borders extend to the card edge, while Unlimited has a thin white border.
- 4For high-value vintage cards, use the scan as a starting point and consider professional grading for a definitive identification and valuation.
- 5Photograph the back of the card as well for your records, as Alpha and Beta card backs have subtle print differences from later sets.