Yeah, pretty sure those are either Alpha or Beta. As far as I know you can't tell the difference from looking at the pack. The opened pack may provide clues though. This guide can help you tell the difference between Alpha/Beta cards. As for what's next? You can sell the packs for quite a lot if you want. Star City Games are selling Beta packs for $1500 each. You won't be able to get that much but it gives you a rough idea of their value.
It's also possible to get the sealed packs graded by a garding company. They will check if the boosters appear to be searched (The old ones were slightly too thin and one could check what was inside the packs, but this damages the booster wrapper a bit. After being graded, the packs can be sold on eBay for a very nice portion of the 1.5k. SCG will most likely offer you about 500$ each from just seeing the pics, as the packs are slow to move and they will need to keep their money tied to the packs for a long time.
But there are lot of collectors out there looking for these packs in mint condition. For making the most out of the items, I seriously recommend getting the boosters graded if they look even half as nice in the real life as in the pics, then they should be sold one at a time after being graded, or given for some good seller for comission. Selling them all at once will most likely net about half of the value you can get, so you will loose maybe 2-4k. The bad part about doing all the work is that it's work and there's a small risk involved when selling anything on eBay.
I didn't know I could get booster packs graded. That sounds pretty reasonable.
Beckett for grading booster packs? I don't see a listing for grading a booster pack on any site.
I found these in a plastic bin with my brother's Space 1889 and some Classic Traveler stuff. It looks like things he quit playing and boxed in the mid 90s. I doubt that box had moved in 20 years.
PSA is legit grader and to my understanding grades MtG boosters. The other option is Becket Grading Services (BGS), which might do boosters as well, but I'm not an expert. Both will cost you something, as they provide a service but the grading will authenticate the boosters and allow buyers to be certain of the quality. Some of the collectors have really deep pockets.
With several thousand bucks on the line, calling the companies and just asking how it's done is the best option. They usually go to several conventions each year and let people bring their gradables to them and pick them up few days later. This is decent option, as it saves postages and the possibility of damaging items during shipping is something collectors have nightmares about. Ask if there's any events near you and tell beforehand what you are bringing, so they will know to have the right people there if possible.
The other option is shipping the boosters in plenty of bubblewrap insured to them for grading. But as above, contact them, let the experts give you any advice on how to proceed. Hopefully all goes well and new collectors will get nice mint beta boosters. There really aren't that many around anymore.
Yeah if BGS doesn't grade packs have PSA do them as they're the next best option. As for the cards inside the packs being worth less than the packs, that's true for the majority of the cards but if it's any power piece, blue dual land/stuff worth more than 1500 the cards inside are worth more. It isn't remotely worth the risk of opening the packs though of course especially considering how few packs of beta are left.
Easiest way to tell the difference between alpha and everything else is the corners. Alpha corners are more rounded than beta/everything else save alpha cut 4th edition/the cards are smaller. Of course if you don't have other cards to compare them to this is kind of difficult to tell.
At least that elvish archers from beta can be buylisted for 50+ to some places. Probably due to how iconic elvish archers used to be and/or someone collecting that card as cornering the market on any beta or alpha rare isn't that hard with how small the print runs were.
Good luck with the grading. It's unfortunate they aren't alpha as alpha packs are obscenely hard to come across as WotC themselves couldn't find an alpha pack for this special tournament they held at gencon a year and a half ago or so.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Yawgmoth," Freyalise whispered as she set the bomb, "now you will pay for your treachery."
I have decided not to open the packs. I have just sent one to PSA for grading and I will see what happens.
If it goes well I will send the others for grading, and then sell one of the packs. Maybe one a year or something if all of the packs pass grading.
If one of the packs fails grading, or grades very poorly, I will probably open that one. But I doubt that happens. To my untrained eye the packs look like nobody has ever messed with them, or even moved them around much.
Still we will see what PSA has to say. That's why they make the big bucks I guess.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
My brother passed away a couple of years ago, and I have just now been going through his extensive game collection for the last several days.
So I found seven unopened MTG booster packs. And one that was already opened. I don't know what version they are, but suspect they could be Beta.
I shot a picture front and back of the seven and then closeup of one of them.
I know this is a easy stuff to you guys, but I have no idea what editions they would be. Just a guess that they are Beta.
If you can advise as to version that would be helpful. Also, what next?
Legacy
Control
Miracles
All flavors of Stoneblade
Aggro
Grixis Delver
UR Delver
Burn
Combo
Dredge
TES/ANT
UR & UB Reanimator
Belcher
I sent a message to Star City to see what they say.
Many people are wary of loose old packs because if you hold them up to the light, you can see the contents.
That being said, they are still worth quite a lot of money if you can find the right buyer.
WGURBLands!WGURB
WGUInfectWGU
Legacy Lands Primer
Top 8 SCG Oakland 2014
Helpdesk
My Cube on CubeTutor
I am half inclined to go to GenCon and open them all up.
Out of 7 packs there would have to be enough in there to pay for my flight and hotel.
But there are lot of collectors out there looking for these packs in mint condition. For making the most out of the items, I seriously recommend getting the boosters graded if they look even half as nice in the real life as in the pics, then they should be sold one at a time after being graded, or given for some good seller for comission. Selling them all at once will most likely net about half of the value you can get, so you will loose maybe 2-4k. The bad part about doing all the work is that it's work and there's a small risk involved when selling anything on eBay.
Hope this helps.
Set to default
Beckett for grading booster packs? I don't see a listing for grading a booster pack on any site.
I found these in a plastic bin with my brother's Space 1889 and some Classic Traveler stuff. It looks like things he quit playing and boxed in the mid 90s. I doubt that box had moved in 20 years.
There's about 18 cards or so worth $1000 or more apiece, if they're in lightly played condition or better.
Nope. Elvish Archers was the coolest of the 15.
As far as pack grading, I found PSA. http://www.psacard.com/Services/CardsPacksTickets/
PSA seems legit, but I don't really know anything about this stuff.
With several thousand bucks on the line, calling the companies and just asking how it's done is the best option. They usually go to several conventions each year and let people bring their gradables to them and pick them up few days later. This is decent option, as it saves postages and the possibility of damaging items during shipping is something collectors have nightmares about. Ask if there's any events near you and tell beforehand what you are bringing, so they will know to have the right people there if possible.
The other option is shipping the boosters in plenty of bubblewrap insured to them for grading. But as above, contact them, let the experts give you any advice on how to proceed. Hopefully all goes well and new collectors will get nice mint beta boosters. There really aren't that many around anymore.
Set to default
BGS does not grade packs at this time.
Easiest way to tell the difference between alpha and everything else is the corners. Alpha corners are more rounded than beta/everything else save alpha cut 4th edition/the cards are smaller. Of course if you don't have other cards to compare them to this is kind of difficult to tell.
At least that elvish archers from beta can be buylisted for 50+ to some places. Probably due to how iconic elvish archers used to be and/or someone collecting that card as cornering the market on any beta or alpha rare isn't that hard with how small the print runs were.
Good luck with the grading. It's unfortunate they aren't alpha as alpha packs are obscenely hard to come across as WotC themselves couldn't find an alpha pack for this special tournament they held at gencon a year and a half ago or so.
Currently Playing:
Retired
If it goes well I will send the others for grading, and then sell one of the packs. Maybe one a year or something if all of the packs pass grading.
If one of the packs fails grading, or grades very poorly, I will probably open that one. But I doubt that happens. To my untrained eye the packs look like nobody has ever messed with them, or even moved them around much.
Still we will see what PSA has to say. That's why they make the big bucks I guess.