Top 20 Most Valuable Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards
expensive Yu-Gi-Oh cards, rare Yu-Gi-Oh cards, Black Luster Soldier, Dark Magician Girl, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Tyler the Great Warrior, Cyber Stein, Gold Sarcophagus, Mirror Force Bandai, Tyr the Vanquishing Warlord, Kaiser Eagle, Legendary Magician of Dark, Crush Card Virus, Stardust Divinity, Des Volstgalph, Cyber Dragon, trading card, watchmojo, watch mojo, top 10, list, mojo, best anime, best anime to watch, watchmojo anime, top 10 anime,
Top 20 Most Expensive Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards Ever
Welcome to WatchMojo, today we’re counting down the most absurdly priced “Yu-Gi-Oh!” cards from the game’s history. Keep in mind, card prices are notoriously volatile, so don’t be surprised if the market is completely different a few years later.
Considering she’s one of the franchise’s most iconic waifus, it’s no surprise that this charming spellcaster has become so valuable. There are several different versions of Dark Magician Girl with each one’s value varying from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. The secret rare Dark Magician Girl from the 2003 Magician’s Force is considered one of the rarest. One such card sold earlier this year for nearly $10,000 on eBay, while another fetched an asking price of nearly $30,000. There exist even more expensive versions of the Dark Magician Girl, including a limited edition one that was exclusively distributed during a Japanese lottery and is said to be worth $50,000.
It’s ability may cost players more than an arm and a leg, but for the most loyal collectors, the right Cyber-Stein is worth any price. The most coveted version of this card is the one awarded to winners of the 2004 Shonen Jump Championship. Even with a PSA rating of 8, this card is worth at least several thousand dollars. Most recently, a Cyber-Stein with a BGS rating of 9.5, sold for more than $20,000 on eBay, while another fetched an asking price of more than $45,000. For those lucky enough to own one of the very few mint condition PSA 10 rated Cyber-Steins, they possess a card whose value currently surpasses $30,000.
If you’re big on card games, you’ll already know Bandai produces some of the biggest around. Currently, the “One Piece Card Game” is their most popular, but they also make the “Digimon” and “Dragon Ball” trading card games. Hardcore “Yu-Gi-Oh!” fans will already know that back in 1998, Bandai made three sets for the game. In total, they made just less than 200 Bandai branded cards. Of these, the most expensive is Mirror Force. A PSA 10 copy can sell for over $9,000. It’s an iconic classic trap card, which lets you destroy all monsters in attack position when an attack is declared.
Essentially the “Yu-Gi-Oh!” equivalent to the Arc of the Covenant, the Gold Sarcophagus spell card is a one of a kind artifact. Used by Yugi to defeat the Pharaoh in the anime, the real life version of this card may have a different effect, but it’s still a game changer. Among all the different versions of this card, there are two that stand out the most. The first being the promo card from the 2007 Pharaoh Tour, which reached an asking price of nearly $26,000 on eBay. Then there is the Shonen Jump Championship series version, which recently sold on eBay for more than $14,000 in June 2021.
Next up, we have a shiny holographic version of the Cyber Dragon card. It’s a Parallel Rare, with a holographic surface covering the entire card. Regular versions can be cheap as chips, but this special one is going to cost at least a few month’s rent. A heavily played version can cost roughly $1,000, while a PSA 10 version can cost ten times that amount. Its ability lets you special summon it from hand, as long as your opponent controls monsters, but you don’t. This makes it a versatile and valued card, but if you manage to get this specific version, it’s best to leave it in a display case.
It may not look like much, but back in the day, Mechanicalchaser was considered one of the best four star attackers. While most versions of Mechanicalchaser are pretty common, pulling the right copy can earn you thousands of dollars. In the first season tournament pack, it’s possible to pull an ultra rare version of Mechanicalchaser. A card which many collectors consider to be extremely valuable. For those lucky enough to find it, a mint condition Mechanicalchaser’s value can reach up to $20,000. Most recently, this card was sold on eBay for more than $10,000. Not bad for a card that was only summoned once in the anime.
Next, we have easily one of the most famous cards in “Yu-Gi-Oh!” history. This guy was one of Yugi’s original silver bullets, a favorite of his in the early show. Hence, many versions of the card exist, coming in a range of prices. The most expensive variant came from a 2008 Comic Con Event, where you could obtain the card from a Duel Terminal machine. Now, acquiring one yourself will potentially cost thousands. If you’re after a PSA 10 version, expect to spend around $10,000 for a copy, a price likely to increase going forward, since Dark Magician’s legendary status is unlikely to falter.
Kaiba uses this old-school classic occasionally in the original anime. As you might expect, it literally shrinks a monster. In the real card game, it halves their attack power for a turn. Originally, it was a prize card for the 2006 Shonen Jump Championship. This specific version is ridiculously expensive, with lower-graded versions costing up to $10,000. Higher quality grade 10 versions can be up to 5 times that price, enough money for a downpayment on a mortgage for a house. The better investment is obvious, since a house can’t shrink a monster's attack power.
Our next entry is Grandopolis, an award for the 2013 “Yu-Gi-Oh!” World Championships. Over the years, its price has fluctuated immensely. The highest it was ever sold for was $130,000. Now, its estimated average value is just below $25,000. Still, you can find people selling high-grade versions for more than that. Keep in mind that it’s not legal to play in a duel. That’s because of its alternate win condition, where if it reduces an opponent to 0 life, you win the match. Since “Yu-Gi-Oh!” matches are a best of three duels, this card can let you win in the first game. So, it’s more for the collectors rather than the players.
Now for a second Cyber Dragon variation. This version was only ever sold at Sears Department Stores, way back in 2006. For some reason, the third set of toys was never distributed, causing widespread belief that the cards never existed. That was until 2020, when Redditor “Loserchris” casually posted an image of one on Reddit. Naturally, the subreddit went wild, claiming it was the first-ever photograph of the card. A bidding war began, and it sold for an immense $30,000. In the five years since, it seems like no one else has found a version, so maybe check your old bulk from 2006 if you haven’t already.
If you took part in the 2005 Second Shonen Jump Championships, you are likely to have received this version of Des Volstgalph. It was only shown in one episode of the original anime, and used to be one of the game’s most exclusive cards. It took them 4 years to properly reprint it, giving players a cheaper option, but the first editions are still phenomenally pricey. It’s currently estimated as being worth around $40,000, but PSA 10 versions can be sold for even higher. This makes it still a highly sought-after card two decades after its initial release.
This huge monster has only been printed twice, in the 2010 and 2011 World Championships. Even though it’s not legal to play, it’s still valued by the community. Its price has gone up over time, on account of it being the only Synchro Monster prize card. The most it’s been sold for was approximately $65,000, an unbelievably high amount. It has a similar alternate win condition as Grandopolis, which lets you win a match in just one duel if played right. The competition was invite-only, taking place in Japan, about the same time that a tsunami hit. This made attendance low, and fans estimate only 50 copies exist.
Most variations of this card can be bought for pennies, which used to be a favorite of Kaiba in the original anime. This wasn’t always the case though. It was first added to the real card game in 2007, at the Shonen Jump Championships, printed as an Ultra Rare. Only winners get a copy, however. It’s easily the most expensive trap card in the game, and also one of the most powerful. You can sacrifice a monster, and in return look at all your opponent’s cards, then destroy all monsters with 1500 or more attack power. For an original championship version, expect to pay around $70,000.
Back in 2015, you may have been lucky enough to purchase one of these for about $12. Now, they’re beyond expensive. It was originally a participation prize for the 2012 and 2013 World Championships. Currently, the average price is approximately $70,000, but some sell for as high as $90,000, enough money to buy a boat. Its ability is identical to Grandopolis’, however, it’s got a slightly higher attack power, but a thousand fewer defense points. Also, it’s equally illegal. Still, to collectors it will look beautiful on display. Well maybe not to everyone, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so if they’re not keeping bees they can buzz off.
If the card number didn’t give it away already, this was released in the same competition as the last entry. It’s got the same alternative win condition, rendering it illegal in official duels. Estimates claim it’s worth just shy of $76,000, although it’s so rare it’s hardly ever sold. Since it’s an iconic classic card, it’s always been beyond pricey. It’s the ultimate piece of Dark Magician merchandise, which would be an immense flex to bring to your locals. That would probably be a higher risk than reward though, since it could be sold for college tuition.
As far as championship prize cards go, they don’t get much bigger, or more expensive, than Kaiser Eagle. This extra secret rare link monster was the prize card awarded to the winner of the 2019 “Yu-Gi-Oh!” World Championship. While its monetary value has shifted over the years, Kaiser Eagle was originally valued at more than $100,000. As of this writing, a sealed version of this card has been featured on eBay, with an asking price of $140,000. A price worthy of an emperor, or in this case, a kaiser.
Tyr has only ever been printed twice, once at the 2008 World Championship and again in 2009. Like most cards here, it has an alternative win condition, where you win the match if it kills your opponent. It also comes with an impressive 3000 attack and defense, yet it’s still banned in official duels. On average, the 2008 version can cost anywhere from $200,000 to over $300,000. It’s always fetched a high price, making the 2008 championship one of the most lucrative. You could buy a cheap house for the price of this card, without even getting a mortgage. That’s not going to win you games though, is it?
When it comes to one of a kind cards, Tyler the Great Warrior is in a league of its own. Unlike most cards, this one was designed in 2002 by a fan named Tyler Gressle who was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer at the age of 14. Tyler’s intense battle with cancer eventually reached the Make-A-Wish Foundation, who granted him the opportunity to design his very own “Yu-Gi-Oh!” card. And thus, Tyler the Great Warrior was born. Many years later, Tyler, who has since fully recovered, has been offered more than $75,000 for his original card. Considering it’s unique origins and the inspirational story behind it, one could argue that the cost of Tyler the Great Warrior may very well be immeasurable.
Along with having the highest attack and defense of any non-effect monster, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon is also the key to summoning the equally powerful, Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon. While there are plenty of rare and expensive versions of this card, the “T3” Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon soars far above the rest. A prize card from the 2001 Asia Championship series, this rare, sealed Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon comes with a signboard featuring the signature of Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the “Yu-Gi-Oh!” franchise. While the current owner of this card attempted to sell it for $900 million in 2016, it was later put on display at Card Shop Spiral in Tokyo, where it is on sale for more than $400,000.
Forget out of this world, the value of this card is out of this dimension! Following Japan’s first nationwide “Yu-Gi-Oh!” Championship back in 1999, the winner was awarded a one of a kind, stainless steel version of Black Luster Soldier. In 2013, someone tried to sell this card for a whopping $10 million. While there has not been any confirmation this card sold for that much, there is a rumor claiming that it was sold for an astronomical $2 million. If reaching the million dollar mark wasn’t impressive enough, this card also has the honor of being considered one of the most expensive trading cards of all time.
What’s the most valuable “Yu-Gi-Oh” card you have in your possession? Let us know in the comments!
Welcome to WatchMojo, today we’re counting down the most absurdly priced “Yu-Gi-Oh!” cards from the game’s history. Keep in mind, card prices are notoriously volatile, so don’t be surprised if the market is completely different a few years later.
#20: Dark Magician Girl
Considering she’s one of the franchise’s most iconic waifus, it’s no surprise that this charming spellcaster has become so valuable. There are several different versions of Dark Magician Girl with each one’s value varying from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. The secret rare Dark Magician Girl from the 2003 Magician’s Force is considered one of the rarest. One such card sold earlier this year for nearly $10,000 on eBay, while another fetched an asking price of nearly $30,000. There exist even more expensive versions of the Dark Magician Girl, including a limited edition one that was exclusively distributed during a Japanese lottery and is said to be worth $50,000.
#19: Cyber Stein
It’s ability may cost players more than an arm and a leg, but for the most loyal collectors, the right Cyber-Stein is worth any price. The most coveted version of this card is the one awarded to winners of the 2004 Shonen Jump Championship. Even with a PSA rating of 8, this card is worth at least several thousand dollars. Most recently, a Cyber-Stein with a BGS rating of 9.5, sold for more than $20,000 on eBay, while another fetched an asking price of more than $45,000. For those lucky enough to own one of the very few mint condition PSA 10 rated Cyber-Steins, they possess a card whose value currently surpasses $30,000.
#18: Mirror Force (Bandai)
If you’re big on card games, you’ll already know Bandai produces some of the biggest around. Currently, the “One Piece Card Game” is their most popular, but they also make the “Digimon” and “Dragon Ball” trading card games. Hardcore “Yu-Gi-Oh!” fans will already know that back in 1998, Bandai made three sets for the game. In total, they made just less than 200 Bandai branded cards. Of these, the most expensive is Mirror Force. A PSA 10 copy can sell for over $9,000. It’s an iconic classic trap card, which lets you destroy all monsters in attack position when an attack is declared.
#17: Gold Sarcophagus
Essentially the “Yu-Gi-Oh!” equivalent to the Arc of the Covenant, the Gold Sarcophagus spell card is a one of a kind artifact. Used by Yugi to defeat the Pharaoh in the anime, the real life version of this card may have a different effect, but it’s still a game changer. Among all the different versions of this card, there are two that stand out the most. The first being the promo card from the 2007 Pharaoh Tour, which reached an asking price of nearly $26,000 on eBay. Then there is the Shonen Jump Championship series version, which recently sold on eBay for more than $14,000 in June 2021.
#16: Cyber Dragon (DTP1-EN009)
Next up, we have a shiny holographic version of the Cyber Dragon card. It’s a Parallel Rare, with a holographic surface covering the entire card. Regular versions can be cheap as chips, but this special one is going to cost at least a few month’s rent. A heavily played version can cost roughly $1,000, while a PSA 10 version can cost ten times that amount. Its ability lets you special summon it from hand, as long as your opponent controls monsters, but you don’t. This makes it a versatile and valued card, but if you manage to get this specific version, it’s best to leave it in a display case.
#15: Mechanicalchaser
It may not look like much, but back in the day, Mechanicalchaser was considered one of the best four star attackers. While most versions of Mechanicalchaser are pretty common, pulling the right copy can earn you thousands of dollars. In the first season tournament pack, it’s possible to pull an ultra rare version of Mechanicalchaser. A card which many collectors consider to be extremely valuable. For those lucky enough to find it, a mint condition Mechanicalchaser’s value can reach up to $20,000. Most recently, this card was sold on eBay for more than $10,000. Not bad for a card that was only summoned once in the anime.
#14: Dark Magician
Next, we have easily one of the most famous cards in “Yu-Gi-Oh!” history. This guy was one of Yugi’s original silver bullets, a favorite of his in the early show. Hence, many versions of the card exist, coming in a range of prices. The most expensive variant came from a 2008 Comic Con Event, where you could obtain the card from a Duel Terminal machine. Now, acquiring one yourself will potentially cost thousands. If you’re after a PSA 10 version, expect to spend around $10,000 for a copy, a price likely to increase going forward, since Dark Magician’s legendary status is unlikely to falter.
#13: Shrink
Kaiba uses this old-school classic occasionally in the original anime. As you might expect, it literally shrinks a monster. In the real card game, it halves their attack power for a turn. Originally, it was a prize card for the 2006 Shonen Jump Championship. This specific version is ridiculously expensive, with lower-graded versions costing up to $10,000. Higher quality grade 10 versions can be up to 5 times that price, enough money for a downpayment on a mortgage for a house. The better investment is obvious, since a house can’t shrink a monster's attack power.
#12: Grandopolis, the Eternal City
Our next entry is Grandopolis, an award for the 2013 “Yu-Gi-Oh!” World Championships. Over the years, its price has fluctuated immensely. The highest it was ever sold for was $130,000. Now, its estimated average value is just below $25,000. Still, you can find people selling high-grade versions for more than that. Keep in mind that it’s not legal to play in a duel. That’s because of its alternate win condition, where if it reduces an opponent to 0 life, you win the match. Since “Yu-Gi-Oh!” matches are a best of three duels, this card can let you win in the first game. So, it’s more for the collectors rather than the players.
#11: Cyber Dragon (MF03-EN009)
Now for a second Cyber Dragon variation. This version was only ever sold at Sears Department Stores, way back in 2006. For some reason, the third set of toys was never distributed, causing widespread belief that the cards never existed. That was until 2020, when Redditor “Loserchris” casually posted an image of one on Reddit. Naturally, the subreddit went wild, claiming it was the first-ever photograph of the card. A bidding war began, and it sold for an immense $30,000. In the five years since, it seems like no one else has found a version, so maybe check your old bulk from 2006 if you haven’t already.
#10: Des Volstgalph
If you took part in the 2005 Second Shonen Jump Championships, you are likely to have received this version of Des Volstgalph. It was only shown in one episode of the original anime, and used to be one of the game’s most exclusive cards. It took them 4 years to properly reprint it, giving players a cheaper option, but the first editions are still phenomenally pricey. It’s currently estimated as being worth around $40,000, but PSA 10 versions can be sold for even higher. This makes it still a highly sought-after card two decades after its initial release.
#9: Stardust Divinity
This huge monster has only been printed twice, in the 2010 and 2011 World Championships. Even though it’s not legal to play, it’s still valued by the community. Its price has gone up over time, on account of it being the only Synchro Monster prize card. The most it’s been sold for was approximately $65,000, an unbelievably high amount. It has a similar alternate win condition as Grandopolis, which lets you win a match in just one duel if played right. The competition was invite-only, taking place in Japan, about the same time that a tsunami hit. This made attendance low, and fans estimate only 50 copies exist.
#8: Crush Card Virus
Most variations of this card can be bought for pennies, which used to be a favorite of Kaiba in the original anime. This wasn’t always the case though. It was first added to the real card game in 2007, at the Shonen Jump Championships, printed as an Ultra Rare. Only winners get a copy, however. It’s easily the most expensive trap card in the game, and also one of the most powerful. You can sacrifice a monster, and in return look at all your opponent’s cards, then destroy all monsters with 1500 or more attack power. For an original championship version, expect to pay around $70,000.
#7: Legendary Dragon of White
Back in 2015, you may have been lucky enough to purchase one of these for about $12. Now, they’re beyond expensive. It was originally a participation prize for the 2012 and 2013 World Championships. Currently, the average price is approximately $70,000, but some sell for as high as $90,000, enough money to buy a boat. Its ability is identical to Grandopolis’, however, it’s got a slightly higher attack power, but a thousand fewer defense points. Also, it’s equally illegal. Still, to collectors it will look beautiful on display. Well maybe not to everyone, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so if they’re not keeping bees they can buzz off.
#6: Legendary Magician of Dark
If the card number didn’t give it away already, this was released in the same competition as the last entry. It’s got the same alternative win condition, rendering it illegal in official duels. Estimates claim it’s worth just shy of $76,000, although it’s so rare it’s hardly ever sold. Since it’s an iconic classic card, it’s always been beyond pricey. It’s the ultimate piece of Dark Magician merchandise, which would be an immense flex to bring to your locals. That would probably be a higher risk than reward though, since it could be sold for college tuition.
#5: Kaiser Eagle, the Heaven’s Mandate
As far as championship prize cards go, they don’t get much bigger, or more expensive, than Kaiser Eagle. This extra secret rare link monster was the prize card awarded to the winner of the 2019 “Yu-Gi-Oh!” World Championship. While its monetary value has shifted over the years, Kaiser Eagle was originally valued at more than $100,000. As of this writing, a sealed version of this card has been featured on eBay, with an asking price of $140,000. A price worthy of an emperor, or in this case, a kaiser.
#4: Tyr the Vanquishing Warlord
Tyr has only ever been printed twice, once at the 2008 World Championship and again in 2009. Like most cards here, it has an alternative win condition, where you win the match if it kills your opponent. It also comes with an impressive 3000 attack and defense, yet it’s still banned in official duels. On average, the 2008 version can cost anywhere from $200,000 to over $300,000. It’s always fetched a high price, making the 2008 championship one of the most lucrative. You could buy a cheap house for the price of this card, without even getting a mortgage. That’s not going to win you games though, is it?
#3: Tyler the Great Warrior
When it comes to one of a kind cards, Tyler the Great Warrior is in a league of its own. Unlike most cards, this one was designed in 2002 by a fan named Tyler Gressle who was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer at the age of 14. Tyler’s intense battle with cancer eventually reached the Make-A-Wish Foundation, who granted him the opportunity to design his very own “Yu-Gi-Oh!” card. And thus, Tyler the Great Warrior was born. Many years later, Tyler, who has since fully recovered, has been offered more than $75,000 for his original card. Considering it’s unique origins and the inspirational story behind it, one could argue that the cost of Tyler the Great Warrior may very well be immeasurable.
#2: Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon
Along with having the highest attack and defense of any non-effect monster, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon is also the key to summoning the equally powerful, Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon. While there are plenty of rare and expensive versions of this card, the “T3” Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon soars far above the rest. A prize card from the 2001 Asia Championship series, this rare, sealed Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon comes with a signboard featuring the signature of Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the “Yu-Gi-Oh!” franchise. While the current owner of this card attempted to sell it for $900 million in 2016, it was later put on display at Card Shop Spiral in Tokyo, where it is on sale for more than $400,000.
#1: Black Luster Soldier
Forget out of this world, the value of this card is out of this dimension! Following Japan’s first nationwide “Yu-Gi-Oh!” Championship back in 1999, the winner was awarded a one of a kind, stainless steel version of Black Luster Soldier. In 2013, someone tried to sell this card for a whopping $10 million. While there has not been any confirmation this card sold for that much, there is a rumor claiming that it was sold for an astronomical $2 million. If reaching the million dollar mark wasn’t impressive enough, this card also has the honor of being considered one of the most expensive trading cards of all time.
What’s the most valuable “Yu-Gi-Oh” card you have in your possession? Let us know in the comments!
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