MTG collection glossary

The printed name of a Magic card. A name identifies the card concept, but not the exact physical version: the same name can appear in many sets, artworks, languages, and finishes.

The identifier printed near the bottom of a card, usually written as a number within a set. Combined with the set code, it is one of the best ways to distinguish an exact printing.

One specific release of a card, defined by details such as set, collector number, artwork, language, and finish. Two cards with the same name may be different printings and have very different prices.

A printing distributed through an event, promotion, store program, product bonus, or other special channel rather than only through the main set release. Promos often have their own collector number, artwork, stamp, or set code.

A later printing of a card that already existed. A reprint can use the same or different artwork and may change the card’s market price, but it does not make earlier physical copies become the new printing.

A unique identifier assigned by Scryfall to one card printing. Collection exports often include it because it avoids ambiguity between cards that share a name or artwork.

A named release containing a group of Magic cards. Main sets, Commander products, supplemental releases, promos, and special products may each be represented as separate sets in a card database.

A short code used to identify a set, such as a three- or four-character database code. It is especially useful in collection exports and when a card name appears in several releases.

A card treatment where the illustration extends to the edges instead of sitting inside the standard frame. Borderless cards are separate printings from the regular framed version.

A foil treatment with a textured or metallic appearance that differs from traditional rainbow Foil. Databases and marketplaces may list etched cards as a separate finish when price data supports it.

A treatment that expands the illustration sideways into parts of the normal frame. It is common on selected rares and mythic rares and is tracked separately from both regular and borderless printings.

The physical surface treatment of a printing, most commonly Non-foil, Foil, or Etched Foil. Finish is separate from frame treatments such as borderless or showcase.

A reflective card finish applied during manufacturing. Foil and Non-foil copies of the same printing can have different availability, condition risks, and market prices.

A card without a foil surface treatment. Non-foil describes the finish only; the card can still be borderless, showcase, extended art, or another visual variant.

A card printed with an individual number from a limited run, such as 123/500. The serial number belongs to that physical copy and can materially affect its collectibility and value.

An alternative frame or art treatment created around the visual theme of a set. Showcase is not a finish: a showcase printing may exist as Non-foil, Foil, or another finish.

A description of physical wear such as scratches, whitening, bends, or surface damage. Condition strongly affects resale value and should be assessed separately from the printing and finish.

A heavily impaired card with damage beyond normal play wear, such as tears, major creases, water damage, inking, or structural problems. Marketplace definitions differ, so check the rules of the place where you trade.

A card authenticated and evaluated by a third-party grading company. It is normally sealed in a tamper-evident holder with a numeric grade and certification number.

A card with substantial visible wear but usually still identifiable and physically intact. Exact thresholds vary between marketplaces and stores.

A card with limited signs of handling or play, such as small edge wear or minor surface marks. Some European marketplaces use different labels for a similar range.

A card with clear wear across several areas, but without the severe structural damage normally placed in the lowest condition category.

A card with minimal visible wear under ordinary inspection. Near Mint does not mean flawless or professionally graded, and each marketplace publishes its own detailed standard.

The rigid sealed holder used for a graded card. The label usually records the card identity, grade, grading company, and certification number.

A physical or digital group of cards. In Foilio, albums can mirror physical binders, separate collection themes, or hold other groups that need their own history and share link.

A large quantity of low-value cards that are usually handled together rather than priced or sold one by one. What counts as bulk depends on the collector, buyer, and current market.

The number of copies commonly needed for constructed play, usually four for cards that follow the normal deck-building limit. A collector may track a playset goal separately from owning one copy.

A published list of older cards that Wizards of the Coast has promised not to reprint in functionally identical tournament-legal form. It is different from a card merely being old, scarce, or expensive.

A measure of how much of a chosen set you own. The result depends on whether the goal includes one of each collector number, Foils, alternate frames, promos, tokens, or every variant.

A list of cards you want but do not currently count as owned. Keeping it separate from the collection prevents wanted cards from inflating ownership totals and collection value.

The amount a store or professional buyer offers to pay for a card. It is normally lower than a public marketplace price because the buyer takes on inspection, inventory, fees, and resale risk.

A European marketplace for trading cards. Foilio uses available Cardmarket price data in euros as its European market reference and links to listings where supported.

An estimate produced by adding the selected price reference for all recorded copies. It is not automatically the amount you would receive when selling the collection, because condition, fees, liquidity, and the sale method matter.

A price estimate derived from recent marketplace activity or listings. Different services use different calculations, regions, and condition assumptions, so two market prices do not have to match.

A record of how a card or collection value changes over time. It helps distinguish a one-day movement from a longer trend, but past prices do not predict future value.

A US trading-card marketplace and price reference. Foilio uses available TCGplayer market data in US dollars and links to marketplace listings where supported.