Collectors who know nothing about Magic: The Gathering still likely know the game’s most valuable card. The Black Lotus is the most powerful MTG card, and it will break the bank in the highest conditions. It may seem odd that collectors are willing to spend $100,000 or more for a tip-top shape game card. That has happened on numerous occasions. And while the cards are expensive in any condition, there always seems to be a plentiful supply of Black Lotus cards up for grabs. It seems safe to ask — are there too many Black Lotus cards up for sale and auction to justify the past prices?

The Black Lotus has been referenced on Collectors Dashboard before and we wanted to find out what’s available of the four deck editions of the 1993 release: Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, and Collectors Edition. There are several places on the internet to find several of this elusive card. Collectors Dashboard will clearly describe the grade, edition, and price of these legendary cards.

A 2014 video went viral on YouTube of a collector named Openboosters cracking the 1993 Magic The Gathering Alpha starter deck and screaming with euphoria at finding a mint condition black lotus card. The sensation is in the price adjustments between a PSA graded 9 and a PSA graded 10. The difference in value from $25,000.00 to $60,000.00 according to PSA in 2021.

Also in 2021 are headlines of record sales and new highs not seen for the card in any condition. A signed PSA 10 sold on the auction giant eBay for $511,100.00 in January 2021. While the artist Christopher Rush passed away in 2016 at the age of 50, a high grade PSA example of the Black Lotus card is likely deemed to be a realistic possibility in the minds of those bidding in the auction. (Image provided by Heritage Auctions)

Collectors Dashboard evaluates collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Many collectibles now cost thousands of dollars (or much more). Collectors with a passion to own a collectible for years frequently have to compete directly against investors whose only desire is to make a profit in the future.

The number of sales above $100,000 for a Black Lotus card is not extreme, but there are countless numbers of sales that have been teen well above the $10,000 and $20,000 level.

Here are Black Lotus cards available in auction format (excludes the Buy It Now only listings) to bid on eBay:

• Black Lotus Beckett 7.5 Alpha Edition $49,100.00 with 65 bids and four days left.
• Black Lotus Becket 9.5 Beta Edition $36,100.00 with 23 bids and six days left.
• Black Lotus PSA 10 signed by Christopher Rush Alpha Edition $90,000.00 with 61 bids and six days left.
• Black Lotus Beckett 10 Alpha Edition $44,544.00 with 17 bids and six days left.

PWCC Marketplace has these Black Lotus cards available for sale:

• Black Lotus Beckett 9 Unlimited Edition Asking Price: $39,500.00
• Black Lotus Beckett 8.5 Autograph 9 Beta Edition signed by Christopher Rush Asking Price: $110,000.00 or best offer.
• Black Lotus Beckett 9 Unlimited Edition Asking Price: $49,999.00 or best offer.
• Black Lotus Beckett 9.5 Unlimited Edition Asking Price: $70,000.00 or best offer.
• Black Lotus Beckett 9 Unlimited Edition Asking Price: $46,000.00 or best offer.
• Black Lotus PSA 9 Beta Edition Asking Price: $125,000.00 or best offer.
• Black Lotus Beckett 9 Unlimited Edition Asking Price: $45,999.00 or best offer.
• Black Lotus PSA 9 Unlimited Edition Asking Price: $250,000.00 or best offer.

Star City Games advertises itself as, “the World’s Largest Magic: The Gathering Store”. They list four Black Lotus as “notify me” but are not available to be added to your cart. The four range in price from $7,249.99 Black Lotus International Edition Ungraded NM to $149,999.99 Black Lotus Alpha Edition Ungraded NM. Here are the two Black Lotus cards Star City Games has in stock:

• Black Lotus Ungraded “played condition” Unlimited Edition for $17,999.99.
• Black Lotus Ungraded “played condition” International Edition for $6,499.99.

Heritage Auctions had multiple sales go off in 2021 which would have included the Black Lotus. One July 2021 auction closed out at $150,000 for MTG Starter Deck Sealed Box from 1993. A MTG Alpha edition sealed starter deck sold in that same time for $96,000 and one sold for $84,000 in April 2021.

There are more than several Black Lotus cards available for purchase or bid. The Collector for the money invested must filter out a financial level of commitment based on grade, condition, and eye appeal. And for the newest MTG installment, will the new Dungeons & Dragons crossover set ever be worth serious money?