Magic: The Gathering’s Unlimited Edition is one of the most iconic and sought-after sets in the game’s history. It was the second major print run after the original Limited Edition (which included Alpha and Beta), and it marked a turning point for the game’s availability and collectibility. But one of the biggest mysteries—and most frequently asked questions—is just how many Unlimited booster boxes were actually made by Wizards of the Coast. The answer isn’t simple, and it’s wrapped up in the early days of the company, the growth of the game, and the lack of official records from that era.
First, let’s set the stage. Magic: The Gathering was created by mathematician Richard Garfield and published by Wizards of the Coast. The game exploded in popularity almost immediately after its 1993 debut. The first printings, Alpha and Beta, were very small—Alpha had a print run of about 2.6 million cards, and Beta was only slightly larger. These sets are now incredibly rare and valuable. Unlimited was the first “unlimited” print run, meaning it was intended to be printed as much as needed to meet demand, unlike the strictly limited Alpha and Beta runs.
But what does “unlimited” really mean in this context? In the early 1990s, Wizards of the Coast was a much smaller company, and the idea of a truly unlimited print run was more of a marketing term than a reality. The company was still figuring out how to manage production, distribution, and the explosive growth of the game. There was no official announcement about how many Unlimited booster boxes were printed, and Wizards has never released exact numbers. This lack of transparency has led to decades of speculation among collectors and players.
So, how do we estimate the number of Unlimited booster boxes? Let’s break it down. Each Unlimited booster box contained 36 packs, and each pack had 15 cards. The set itself had 302 cards (including basic lands). If we know (or can estimate) the total number of Unlimited cards printed, we can work backward to estimate the number of booster boxes.
Most experts and longtime collectors agree that the Unlimited print run was significantly larger than Alpha or Beta, but still much smaller than later sets. Estimates for the total number of Unlimited cards printed range from 35 million to 40 million. If we take the middle of that range—say, 37.5 million cards—we can do some simple math. Each booster box contained 36 packs × 15 cards = 540 cards. So, 37,500,000 cards ÷ 540 cards per box = about 69,444 booster boxes.
But this is just an estimate. The actual number could be higher or lower. Some sources suggest the print run might have been as high as 40 million cards, which would mean about 74,000 booster boxes. Others think it might have been closer to 35 million, or about 65,000 boxes. Without official records, we’ll never know for sure.
There are a few reasons why the exact number is unknown. First, Wizards of the Coast did not keep detailed public records of print runs in the early days. Second, the company was focused on keeping up with demand and may not have tracked the numbers closely. Third, some cards were likely lost, damaged, or destroyed over the years, making it even harder to pin down an exact figure.
The rarity and value of Unlimited cards today reflect this uncertainty. While Unlimited cards are much more common than Alpha or Beta, they are still considered rare compared to modern sets. A mint condition Unlimited Black Lotus, for example, can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, while a Revised Edition (the set that followed Unlimited) version of the same card is worth much less.
What about the health and safety of handling these old cards? Some collectors worry about the materials used in early Magic cards, especially since they were printed in the early 1990s. There is no evidence that handling Unlimited cards poses any specific health risk. The cards are made from paper and ink, similar to other trading cards of the era. However, if you have a medical condition that makes you sensitive to dust or old paper, it’s always a good idea to handle collectibles with care, perhaps wearing gloves or working in a well-ventilated area. If you have specific health concerns, consult a medical professional for personalized advice. There are no authoritative medical sources linking Magic cards to health risks, but general precautions for handling old paper products apply.
The legacy of Unlimited is more than just numbers. This set introduced Magic to a much wider audience and helped establish the game as a global phenomenon. The cards are a tangible piece of gaming history, and their scarcity ensures they remain highly collectible. While we may never know exactly how many Unlimited booster boxes were made, the mystery is part of what makes the set so fascinating to collectors and players alike.
The story of Unlimited is also a reminder of how far Magic: The Gathering has come. From those early days of uncertain print runs and explosive growth, the game has become a worldwide hobby with hundreds of sets and millions of players[1]. The lack of official numbers for Unlimited is a quirk of history, but it’s also a testament to the game’s enduring appeal and the passion of its community.
If you’re interested in the history of Magic sets, there are resources that list every set released since 1993, but details about early print runs like Unlimited remain elusive[1]. For collectors, the hunt for information is part of the fun, and the value of Unlimited cards reflects both their historical importance and their relative scarcity.
In the end, the question of how many Unlimited booster boxes were made may never be answered definitively. But the estimates, the stories, and the cards themselves continue to captivate anyone interested in the history of Magic: The Gathering. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, the tale of Unlimited is a fascinating chapter in the story of one of the world’s most beloved games.
