Magic: The Gathering kicked off in 1993 with its first printing, known as Alpha. Back then, people didn’t realize they were holding what would eventually become some of the rarest and most sought-after cards in the entire game, and among all TCGs. It’s funny to imagine folks opening these packs in dimly lit game stores, completely unaware of how valuable they’d become.
Original Retail Prices of MTG Packs and Booster Boxes
In the early days, the suggested retail price for an Alpha booster pack of 15 cards was around $2.45. Alpha booster packs came in displays (booster boxes) of 36 packs each, but very few (if any) sealed Alpha booster boxes still exist today. They’re so rare that actual sales data is nearly impossible to come by. The best we have are estimates that a truly unopened, authentic Alpha booster box could fetch a six-figure price tag—possibly $700,000 or more if one ever surfaced. Some collectors have speculated it could even approach a million dollars, depending on the buyer’s eagerness.
Alpha also offered 60-card starter decks (sometimes called “starter packs”), which were originally around $7.45. Each starter contained lands and a random mix of cards. Today, a single sealed Alpha starter deck might go for $15,000 to $30,000 or even higher at auction, depending on its condition, the sealing, and the seller’s reputation.
Can you imagine pulling a pristine Alpha Black Lotus?
As for individual Alpha booster packs, if you can even find one, they often appear in the $8,000 to $12,000 range. That’s a big leap from just a couple of bucks. Some sell for slightly less if the seal looks questionable, while pristine and verified packs can go for significantly more. There’s always some risk in buying these packs though, because of the potential for resealing or tampering. Still, serious collectors aren’t always deterred.
Why the dramatic price jump? Well, only about 2.6 million total Alpha cards were ever printed, which made the set extremely limited right from the start. Many of those cards were lost, damaged, or heavily played. The survivors, especially if sealed in original packaging, became prized collectibles. When you combine rarity with nostalgia, you often see prices soar.
What About Beta and Unlimited?
It’s also worth noting that Alpha was just the beginning. Beta and Unlimited followed with similar MSRPs, around $2.95 for a booster pack. But the print runs became larger, so you’re more likely to stumble across a sealed Beta or Unlimited booster pack than an Alpha one. You’ll still pay a small fortune for Beta or Unlimited, but it won’t be quite as high as Alpha.
If you ask me, it’s fascinating that such humble little packs—originally intended for casual gamers and fantasy fans—could turn into coveted museum pieces worth thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of dollars. Could any of those 1993 players have guessed the future value of these cardboard rectangles? Probably not. But that’s Magic cards for you. Sometimes the real magic is watching prices skyrocket over time.
So, to sum it up:
- Alpha booster pack in 1993: about $2.45.
- Alpha starter deck in 1993: about $7.45.
- Sealed Alpha booster box in 1993: roughly $88 for the box (36 packs × $2.45), though actual store prices varied.
- Sealed Alpha booster box today: can top $700,000 (estimates only, as almost none are available).
- Sealed Alpha booster pack today: easily $8,000 to $12,000 or more.
- Sealed Alpha starter deck today: $15,000 to $30,000, often higher for pristine copies.
If you’re feeling nostalgic or if you just won the lottery, you can still find a pack or two for sale online. Just be prepared for a hefty price. It’s a big leap from two bucks and pocket change in 1993 to tens of thousands of dollars today. That’s the power of collectible card games and a reminder that sometimes, you never truly know how a market will evolve.
