MTG CARD SCANNER
MTG Card Identifier: Scan Magic: The Gathering Cards to Find the Exact Printing and Price
To identify a Magic: The Gathering card, check the set symbol's shape and color (rarity) on the right of the type line, then the set code and collector number printed in the bottom-left corner on modern cards. Those details pick out the exact printing among many reprints. An MTG scanner like Solira reads them from a photo and shows the matching printing and its price.
- Finds the exact printing among reprints
- Reads set code and collector number
- Foil, borderless, and showcase variants
- Market price for the matched version
By the Solira team · Updated
STEP BY STEP
How to identify a Magic card with Solira
- 1
Scan the card face
For double-faced cards, scan the front face. Keep all four edges in frame.
- 2
Avoid glare on the bottom line
The set code and collector number are small, so tilt foils slightly to keep them readable.
- 3
Confirm set and treatment
Check the set, collector number, and whether it is foil, borderless, or showcase.
- 4
Check the price
See the market price for that exact printing and save the card.
FROM THE SOLIRA CATALOG
Most valuable Magic: The Gathering cards right now
Highest market prices for single cards in the catalog. Prices come from JustTCG, last updated Aug 19, 2026, and are references, not offers.
- #1
The Soul Stone (Cosmic Foil)
Marvel's Spider-Man · 242 · Mythic
Near Mint · Foil
$32,999.99
- #2
Black Lotus
Beta Edition · Rare
Near Mint · Normal
$12,000.00
- #3
Paths of the Dead - Cavern of Souls (Borderless) (Serial Numbered)
Commander: The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth · 392 · Mythic
Near Mint · Foil
$10,000.00
- #4
Aragorn, the Uniter (Borderless Poster) (Serial Numbered)
Universes Beyond: The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth · 741 · Mythic
Near Mint · Foil
$8,000.00
- #5
Black Lotus
Unlimited Edition · Rare
Damaged · Normal
$8,000.00
- #6
Gaea's Cradle
Judge Promos · 321 · Promo
Moderately Played · Foil
$7,800.00
- #7
Black Lotus
Alpha Edition · Rare
Near Mint · Normal
$7,700.00
- #8
Traveling Chocobo (Borderless) (Japanese Exclusive)
FINAL FANTASY · 551 · Mythic
Lightly Played · Foil - Japanese
$6,500.00
01
How to read an MTG card's set and collector number
Since 2014 (Magic 2015), Magic cards print a collector info line in the bottom-left corner: the collector number, a rarity letter (C, U, R, M), the three-letter set code, and the language. Older cards print the collector number as a fraction such as 123/249, and cards printed before 1998 have no collector number at all, so you identify them by set symbol, border color, and frame.
| Detail | Where it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Set symbol | Right side of the type line | Shape = set, color = rarity |
| Set code | Bottom-left collector line (2014+) | MKM, LTR, OTJ |
| Collector number | Bottom-left (2014+) or bottom (1998–2014) | 0281 or 123/249 |
| Rarity letter | Next to the collector number | C, U, R, M |
| Language | Collector line | EN, JA, DE |
02
MTG rarity colors
The color of the set symbol shows rarity at a glance. Mythic rare was introduced with Shards of Alara in 2008.
| Set symbol color | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Black | Common |
| Silver | Uncommon |
| Gold | Rare |
| Orange-red | Mythic rare |
| Purple | Special (e.g. Timeshifted, bonus sheets) |
03
Variants that change an MTG card's price
Modern sets print the same card in several treatments, usually with their own collector numbers above the main set count. These are priced separately, so they matter when you check value:
- Foil, etched foil, and special foils
- Borderless, extended art, and showcase frames
- Retro frame and serialized (numbered) cards
- Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited: Alpha has rounder corners; Unlimited has white borders
- Language and promo stamps
- Double-faced cards: identify by the front face
04
Online MTG card identifier vs. a scanner app
Online databases are great once you know the card's name and set. The hard part is finding the right printing when a card has been reprinted many times. A scanner reads the set code and collector number for you and shows the price for that exact version on the same screen.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I identify a Magic: The Gathering card?
Read the set symbol next to the type line and the collector line in the bottom-left corner (set code, collector number, rarity, language). Or scan it with an MTG card identifier app like Solira, which reads those details from a photo.
What do the colors of the MTG set symbol mean?
Black is common, silver is uncommon, gold is rare, and orange-red is mythic rare. Purple marks special rarities.
Where is the collector number on a Magic card?
On cards printed since 2014, it is in the bottom-left corner with the set code. Between 1998 and 2014 it appears as a fraction at the bottom of the card. Earlier cards have no collector number.
Can Solira tell foil and non-foil MTG cards apart?
Solira returns the printing when it can see it, but foil shine can be hard to judge in a photo. Always confirm the finish shown on the result against your card.
Does Solira support old Magic cards?
Yes, when the set and printing are in the catalog. Pre-1998 cards have no collector number, so a clear photo of the set symbol and frame helps.
Identify your Magic cards in seconds
Download Solira, scan an MTG card, and see its exact printing and market price. Free to download on iPhone. Android is coming soon.