Magic: The Gathering Cards That Are Worth A Ton Of Money

Created in 1993 by mathematician Richard Garfield, Wizards of the Coast's Magic: The Gathering (aka MTG or simply Magic) was the world's first modern collectible trading card game, or TCG. In Magic, which is played in over 150 countries, players duel each other using decks of spells, creatures, and artifacts, with the goal of bringing their opponent down from 20 points to zero. According to Hasbro (MTG's publisher), there are over 50 million Magic players across the game's platforms, generating over $1 billion in annual revenue.

Playing Magic (which, like any trading card game or collectible card game [CCG], is part deck building, part strategy, and part card trading) is for everyone and anyone, with the age range for MTG players being between 13 to 45 years old. Further, the game continues to thrive three decades after its Alpha deck release because it's constantly adding players. Hasbro notes that MTG players are evenly split three ways today between those with less than three years experience, those with less than 10 years experience, and those who have been playing Magic for over 10 years.

As for collecting, given that this is a fundamental part of the game, as players build out their starter decks to be as powerful as possible, it's no wonder that certain cards have gained legendary status among the community, like the following four Magic: The Gathering cards: Black Lotus, Ancestral Recall, Time Walk, and Timetwister.

The Black Lotus is revered as MTG's most iconic card. In-game, Black Lotus had a broken ability to generate three mana of any color "of your choice," giving players a massive early-game advantage. Due to this, it was outlawed in most formats, which only grew its allure. Printed exclusively in the Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited sets between 1993 and 1994, only 1,100 Alpha copies were ever produced, with fewer surviving in pristine condition today. Today, the value of an Alpha card ranges from $50,000 to a recent record-setting $3 million.

The Black Lotus, one of the Power Nine (i.e., Ancestral Recall, Black Lotus, Mox Emerald, Mox Jet, Mox Pearl, Mox Ruby, Mox Sapphire, Timetwister, and Time Walk), has become a symbol of collectible card gaming, with its value steadily climbing over the decades. In April 2024, CGC Cards (which graded the card), announced the $3 million record sale of a PSA 10 Alpha copy. Similarly, other Black Lotus cards in near-mint condition have fetched upward of $500,000. The card's popularity is also rooted in nostalgia and the cultural impact it holds for early MTG players and collectors. (See how much rare Pokémon cards are worth today).

Ancestral Recall is a hallmark of Magic: The Gathering's early design, representing both simplicity and raw power. Ancestral Recall allows the holder to draw three cards or force an opponent to do so for just one blue mana. This power move offers unmatched utility in gameplay, and this card's efficiency earned it a spot in the Power Nine, ultimately leading to its restriction in most MTG formats — and consequently, preserving its legendary status. Its value today can easily command five figures.

Only 1,100 of these cards were printed in 1993, and high-grade Alpha copies, particularly those graded PSA 10 or CGC Pristine 10, command top dollar. Case in point, on December 7, 2023, a CGC Pristine 10 Alpha Ancestral Recall sold for $38,500 in a CertifiedLink auction. As reported by CGC Cards, it was part of a lot that went for $42,000 total. Note that Magic collectors also prize upgraded Alpha copies; in 2022, for example, one of these cards sold for $10,510 on eBay. Meanwhile, cards from the Beta and Unlimited sets, though slightly more common, remain highly collectible as well, often reaching thousands in value depending on condition.

Time Walk's reputation as one of Magic: The Gathering's most game-altering cards stems from its ability to grant an additional turn for just two mana. This simple yet powerful effect makes it one of the most efficient cards in Magic history, earning its place in the coveted Power Nine. Its impact on gameplay was so significant that it became restricted in most MTG formats, further solidifying its desirability among collectors. According to CGC Cards, sales for mint Time Walk cards begin at around $20,000.

The highest price paid for a Time Walk card (as of this writing) happened in 2023, when a buyer bid $63,000 for a pristine PSA 10 Alpha Time Walk at Fanatics Collect. Per the PSA grading scale, a 10 is known as a Gem Mint. The Beta and Unlimited versions of Time Walk cards are slightly more accessible than the others, but they're still in demand and, as with most collectibles, their prices vary according to the condition of the cards.

Timetwister is a part of the Power Nine. It's also considered as one of "Magic: The Gathering's" most powerful and disruptive cards, when drawn from the deck, this card can completely reset the game by triggering a reshuffle, including graveyards, and libraries. This can turn the tide of a game. The player with the card and the opponent get second chances to draw new cards and start over. This isn't always favorable, especially if the opponent is winning.

As a result of its rarity and impact on gameplay, this card holds considerable value among Magic collectors, with sales in the past few years ranging from $15,600 for a Beta 8.5 Timetwister (of which only 3,000 were printed) to $84,000 for a Gem Mint Alpha card. With this said, Professional Sports Authenticator estimates the average value of a Near Mint Alpha Timetwister to be $5,000, a Mint to be $9,500, and a Gem Mint, $20,000. (Here's how to tell if your old comic books are worth anything today.)