This guide will try to help those buyers and sellers interested in some of the "old school" Magic: The Gathering cards: specifically on telling the difference between an original Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, The Dark and Chronicles.

A brief explanation about Rarity.  There are three levels of Rarity in MTG: Rare (R), Uncommon (U), and Common (C).  Within each level are different frequencies expressed as a number after the Rarity: R1, U1, C1, etc..  For example, for every 5 of a specific C5 card printed 3 of a specific C3 card is also printed.

Arabian Nights was released in December 1993 and was the first MTG expansion set.  This set consisted of 78 unique cards (along with 14 commons that were printed in two subtle variations): 33-U2, 17-U3, 1-U4, 10-C1, 7-C2, 10-C3, 9-C4, 4-C5, and 1-C11.  These cards were Black Bordered.  The expansion symbol was a scimitar (a sword).  The copyright in the lower left corner was in the form of "Illus. (c) artist name".  There was no date.

Antiquities was released in March 1994 and was the second MTG expansion set.  This set consisted of 100 cards: 26-U1, 4-U2, 29-U3, 11-C1, 5-C2, and 25-C4.  These cards were Black Bordered.  The expansion symbol was an anvil.  The copyright in the lower left corner was in the form of "Illus. (c) artist name".  There was no date.

Legends was released in June 1994 and was supposed to be the first MTG "stand-alone" expansion.  This set consisted of 310 cards:121-R1, 105-U1, 8-U2, 30-C1, and 45-C2.  These cards were Black Bordered.  The expansion symbol was a pillar.  The copyright in the lower left corner was in the form of "Illus. (c) 1994 artist name".

The Dark was released in August 1994 and was the fourth MTG expansion set.  This set consisted of 119 cards: 35-U1, 43-U2, 1-C1, and 40-C3.  These cards were Black Bordered.  The expansion symbol was a crescent moon.  The copyright in the lower left corner was in the form of "Illus. (c) 1994 artist name".

Chronicles was released in July 1995 in an effort to satisfy player demand for out of print cards and was considered a special set.    This set consisted of 125 cards (14 from Arabian Nights, 21 from Antiquities, 71 from Legends, and 19 from The Dark): 46-U1, 25-U3, 17-C1, 7-C2, 30-C3.  These cards were White Bordered to reflect the fact they were reprints from older sets.  The expansion symbol used was the same as the original.  The copyright in the lower left carner was in the form of "Illus. artist name" with "(c) 1995 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All rights reserved." on a second line under that.

So, the easy way to tell an original Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, or The Dark card from a reprinted Chronicles is the border.  If it's White it's from Chronicles.  Some people have colored in the borders so the second way to tell is the copyright.  If it's two lines and says 1995 it's a Chronicles.

Let's keep everyone on eBay honest.  If you see an auction that claims to be selling Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, or The Dark cards when in fact they are selling Chronicles point it out to them.  They may honestly not know the difference.  Tell them about this guide.