Magic: The Gathering is a game that has been around for almost three decades, and it has amassed a huge fan base of players and collectors. Some of the cards in the game are so rare and powerful that they can fetch astronomical prices on the secondary market. Whether you’re a hardcore collector or just curious, here are 10 of the most expensive magic cards ever sold.
Time Vault – $4,000 to $10,000
Time Vault is a card that lets you take an extra turn, but at a cost: you have to skip your next turn unless you pay a mana to untap it. However, there are many ways to abuse this card and get infinite turns, such as using Voltaic Key or Teferi, Temporal Archmage. Time Vault is part of the infamous Power Nine, a set of nine cards from the earliest sets of Magic that are extremely powerful and banned in most formats. A mint-condition Time Vault from the Alpha set can go for up to $10,000.
Mox Pearl – $5,000 to $15,000
Mox Pearl is another card from the Power Nine, and it’s a simple but effective one: it’s an artifact that costs zero mana and taps for one white mana. This means you can play it for free and get an extra mana boost on your first turn, which can give you a huge advantage over your opponent. Mox Pearl is one of the five Moxen, each one corresponding to a different color of mana. A pristine Mox Pearl from the Alpha set can fetch up to $15,000.
Time Walk – $6,000 to $20,000
Time Walk is yet another card from the Power Nine, and it’s one of the most iconic ones. It’s a blue sorcery that costs two mana and says: “Take an extra turn after this one.” That’s it. For just two mana, you can essentially double your resources and actions, while denying your opponent a turn. Time Walk is one of the most broken cards in Magic history, and it’s no wonder that it’s banned in almost every format. A flawless Time Walk from the Alpha set can sell for up to $20,000.
Mox Emerald – $7,000 to $25,000
Mox Emerald is the green version of the Moxen, and it works the same as Mox Pearl: it’s a zero-mana artifact that taps for one green mana. Green is the color of nature and growth, and having access to more green mana can help you ramp up your mana base and play bigger and better creatures faster than your opponent. Mox Emerald is a staple in vintage decks that use green cards, and a mint Mox Emerald from the Alpha set can cost up to $25,000.
Mox Ruby – $10,000 to $30,000
Mox Ruby is the red version of the Moxen, and it’s a zero-mana artifact that taps for one red mana. Red is the color of fire and fury, and having more red mana can help you unleash powerful spells that deal damage, destroy artifacts, or disrupt your opponent’s plans. Mox Ruby is a key component in vintage decks that use red cards, and a perfect Mox Ruby from the Alpha set can be worth up to $30,000.
Timetwister – $12,000 to $40,000
Timetwister is the last card from the Power Nine, and it’s a blue sorcery that costs three mana and says: “Each player shuffles their hand and graveyard into their library, then draws seven cards. (Then put Timetwister into its owner’s graveyard.)” This card can be used to refill your hand, disrupt your opponent’s hand, or recycle your graveyard. It can also create infinite loops with cards like Time Vault or Narset, and Parter of Veils. Timetwister is the only card from the Power Nine that is not banned in Commander, a popular casual format, which makes it even more desirable. A flawless Timetwister from the Alpha set can go for up to $40,000.
Mox Sapphire – $15,000 to $50,000
Mox Sapphire is the blue version of the Moxen, and it’s a zero-mana artifact that taps for one blue mana. Blue is the color of logic and manipulation, and having more blue mana can help you cast spells that draw cards, counterspells, or take control of your opponent’s things. Mox Sapphire is a must-have in vintage decks that use blue cards, and a pristine Mox Sapphire from the Alpha set can fetch up to $50,000.
Mox Jet – $20,000 to $60,000
Mox Jet is the black version of the Moxen, and it’s a zero-mana artifact that taps for one black mana. Black is the color of death and ambition, and having more black mana can help you cast spells that drain life, reanimate creatures, or sacrifice things for profit. Mox Jet is a vital part of vintage decks that use black cards, and a mint Mox Jet from the Alpha set can sell for up to $60,000.
Ancestral Recall – $25,000 to $100,000
Ancestral Recall is a blue instant that costs one mana and says: “Target player draws three cards.” That’s it. For just one mana, you can draw three cards, which is a huge amount of card advantage in a game where resources are limited. You can target yourself to gain more options or target your opponent to make them draw out their deck. Ancestral Recall is widely considered to be the best card in Magic history, and it’s banned in every format except vintage, where it’s restricted to one copy per deck. A flawless Ancestral Recall from the Alpha set can cost up to $100,000.
Black Lotus – $100,000 to $250,000
Black Lotus is the most famous and expensive card in Magic’s history. It’s a zero-mana artifact that says: “Tap, Sacrifice Black Lotus: Add three mana of any one color.” This card can give you a massive mana boost on your first turn, allowing you to play spells that would normally take several turns to cast. Black Lotus can enable some of the most powerful and explosive plays in Magic history, such as casting a turn-one Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, or a turn-one Storm Herd. Black Lotus is the ultimate symbol of Magic rarity and power, and it’s banned in every format except vintage, where it’s restricted to one copy per deck. A perfect Black Lotus from the Alpha set can be worth up to $250,000.
