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Magic

The most valuable Magic: The Gathering cards — what drives the price

Cardometer editorial team · · 4 min read

The Reserved List, early editions, foils and special treatments explain why one MTG card costs cents and another as much as a car.

The top of the MTG price list has looked similar for years, for concrete reasons.

Reserved List

Wizards of the Coast promised never to reprint certain old cards, including Black Lotus, the Moxen and the original dual lands. Supply cannot grow, so Alpha and Beta copies command the highest prices.

Edition, foil and treatments

Alpha, Beta and Unlimited copies of the same card are three different prices. Borderless, showcase, extended art and serialized versions are printed in smaller numbers. Each printing has its own page on Cardometer, with normal and foil prices.

Demand from play

Commander, Modern and Legacy staples such as Sol Ring or The One Ring rise with tournament demand and fall after reprints.

See the daily most valuable MTG cards.

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