Alternate Fourth Edition, an attempted U.S. print that was supposed to never make it into the hands of the public. How can you distinguish one of these cards from normal Fourth? Read on to find out more!

In early 1995 Wizards of The Coast wanted to print cards in the U.S. This print was run by the United States Playing Card Corportion. At some point between 1995 and 1996 both WoTC and The USPCC had a dispute. In 1996 the matter was settled by the American Arbitrary Society. As a part of the agreement all of the cards were to be destroyed.

However an unknown amount of cards did manage to escape their untimely demise and make it into the hands of the public only in the form of starter decks. The starter deck box is virtually identical to that of a normal fourth edition box except for one detail, the legal information. Instead of Carta Mundi, it states the United States Playing Card Corporation. With the starter boxes, the only difference is the prodcut code (ISBN): 1-880992-25-6 instead of 1-880992-26-4.

So how do you distinguish these cards from normal 4th edition?

• Glossier finish.
• Thicker cards.
• Darker hues in the coloring.
• Fails black light testing
• Solid printing instead of the characteristic dots.
• Does not pale in sunlight
• The word "Magic" on the back of the cards is in a dark blue instead of multiple blue hues (dark and light).
  

If you find that any of your Fourth Edition cards have all these criteria, you have an Alternate 4th edition card! A special thanks goes out to Dan Bock, a heavy tournament player back in the day who discovered these cards in 1999 and for sharing this information with everyone.