Prices

The prices of Magic: The Gathering products have naturally increased since it's release in 1993.

Prices listed here are the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) set by Wizards of the Coast.

September 1995

Magic's first price increase took effect in September 1995. In a letter to retailers, Peter Adkison announced the increase, which affected three sets in print at the time. Prior to this, Ice Age and Fourth Edition starter decks were $7.95 and booster packs were $2.45. Chronicles packs were $2.25.

Things in life rarely remain the same.  When _Magic: The Gathering(TM)_ 
was first released in August of 1993, no one knew how much it would 
change our industry.  It wasn't so long ago that we were five people
working out of a basement.   

Things in business are a lot like life.  Since our game¹s release, we¹ve 
experienced increases in paper prices and printing costs, and a dramatic 
fall of the U.S. dollar in the international market.  After two years,
the  _Magic: The  Gathering(TM)_ product line will have its first price 
increase.   

Effective with all orders shipping in September, our suggested retail is: 

_Magic: The Gathering‹4th Edition(TM)_ 
Starter Deck  $8.95     Starter Deck Display  $89.50 
Booster Pack $2.95      Booster Pack Display  $106.20 

_Magic: The Gathering‹Ice Age(TM)_ 
Starter Deck  $8.95     Starter Deck Display  $89.50 
Booster Pack $2.95      Booster Pack Display  $106.20 

_Magic: The Gathering‹Chronicles(TM)_ 
Booster Pack $2.45      Booster Pack Display  $110.25 

One thing in our lives will never change:  the success of Wizards of 
the Coast, Inc., results from our efforts together.  Thank you for 
your hard work and continued support. 

Sincerely, 
Peter Adkison 
President & Janitor 
Wizards of the Coast, Inc. 

September 1998

With the release of Urza's Saga, prices were raised and distribution of cards was changed. Tournament decks now included 75 cards, replacing what used to be 60-card "starter" decks. The number of rare cards in the preconstructed theme decks was reduced from 3 to 2, and the number of uncommon cards increased from 9 to 13.

• Tournament decks - $9.99
• Theme decks - $9.99

October 1999

Dear Magic Community:

Wizards of the Coast will increase the price of future Magic: The Gathering(R)
expert-level expansion set booster packs from $2.99 to $3.29 beginning with the
October 4, 1999 release of the Mercadian Masques(TM) card set.  This is the
first meaningful price increase for Magic(R) booster packs since 1995 and is a
result of increases in production costs over the past five years.  We value our
players and are continually working to deliver the highest quality Magic products
at a reasonable price.   Prices for other expert-level products and all starter-
and advanced-level Magic: The Gathering products are not being increased.

Thank you,

Joe Hauck
Associate Brand Manager
Magic: The Gathering

• Booster packs - $3.29
• Fat packs - $24.99

January 2004

WotC Vice President of Sales, Mark Jordan, informed all premiere stores that, as of 15 January 2004, prices for packs would increase.

• Tournament decks - $11.29
• Booster packs - $3.69
• Theme decks - $11.29

September 2006

From Wizards Announces Price Change (August 22, 2006), effective September 22 (paper products) and October 6 (Magic Online).

• Tournament decks - $12.29
• Booster packs - $3.99
• Theme decks - $12.29 (excluding Ninth Edition Core Set Theme Decks)
• Fat Packs - $34.99

February 2019

MSRP was abandoned by Wizards of the Coast in February, 2019, leaving the setting of prices to the market.