How much is a thousand commons worth?

It varies by store and era. The important part is removing non-bulk first so you are not giving away staples.

Should I scan every common?

If time is limited, scan rares and older cards first. Deep common scanning matters more for set completion than for cash.

Can prices change while I sort?

Yes. Live pricing helps, but large projects can span weeks — rescan key cards before you finalize big sales.

What if I do not know Magic?

Scanning is ideal for inherited collections. Pull high-priced cards, then ask an LGS about the remainder.

Collector Guide

How to Value a Bulk MTG Collection

7 min readUpdated 2026-08-01

Bulk is a process, not a number

“Bulk” means different things to an LGS and a TCGplayer seller. Your job is to pull anything that is not bulk before you accept a per-thousand price.

Step 1 — Scan for outliers

Run cards through Tappr. Anything with meaningful live market value goes to a singles pile. Reserved List, early duals, chase mythics, and hot Commander staples should never ride along in a bulk box.

Step 2 — Sort the middle

Cards worth a little but not enough to list individually may become a trades binder or a small online lot. Scanning helps you draw that line with data.

Step 3 — True bulk

Commons and uncommons that price near floor value can be sold as bulk, donated, or used for drafts. Do not spend hours listing cards that cannot clear fees.

Step 4 — Condition and authenticity

High-value pulls deserve a second look for whitening, bends, and counterfeits. The scanner identifies and prices; you still judge condition.

Step 5 — Choose a sales channel

LGS buy rates are convenient and lower. Online marketplaces pay closer to market after fees and time. Use Tappr’s portfolio totals to decide whether the labor is worth it.

See also how to sell Magic cards and the bulk sorting use case.