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The Black Lotus | The History of Magic's Most Valuable Card

Rhystic Studies・2 minutes read

Michael Jordan battled through illness to win a pivotal 1997 game, signing his shoes afterwards, sold for $104,000 in 2013. The Black Lotus Magic card, part of the Power Nine, is highly valued, reaching prices in the thousands and can never be reprinted, undergoing verification processes like the Bend Test.

Insights

  • Michael Jordan's iconic shoes, signed after winning a pivotal game while sick, were later sold for $104,000, showcasing the lasting value of memorabilia tied to significant moments in sports history.
  • The intricate world of collectibles, from stamps to Magic cards, demonstrates the diverse range of items that can hold immense value, with factors like rarity, historical significance, and demand driving prices into the millions, reflecting the intricate and subjective nature of determining worth in the collector's market.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of the Black Lotus card?

    The Black Lotus card from Magic: The Gathering is a highly sought-after card that was printed in limited quantities in 1993. It is part of the Power Nine and is known for its high demand and value in the trading card game community. The card has been banned or restricted in most formats except one due to its powerful abilities, making it a coveted collectible among players and collectors alike.

  • How do collectors verify the authenticity of high-value Magic cards?

    Collectors verify the authenticity of high-value Magic cards like the Black Lotus using methods such as the Bend Test and a jeweler's loupe. The Bend Test involves gently bending the card to check for any unusual flexibility or resistance, which can indicate a fake. A jeweler's loupe is used to examine the card closely for any discrepancies in printing, texture, or other details that may reveal its authenticity.

  • What legal constraints prevent the removal of the Reserved List in Magic: The Gathering?

    Legal constraints, specifically related to promissory estoppel, make it difficult for Wizards of the Coast to remove the Reserved List in Magic: The Gathering. Promissory estoppel is a legal principle that prevents a party from going back on a promise if the other party has relied on that promise to their detriment. This legal concept complicates the removal of the Reserved List, as it involves promises made to collectors and players regarding the reprinting of certain cards.

  • How has the value of the Black Lotus card evolved over the years?

    The value of the Black Lotus card has significantly increased over the years, with prices soaring into the thousands for a single card. Due to its limited printing in 1993, high demand, and iconic status in the Magic: The Gathering community, the Black Lotus has become a symbol of rarity and prestige, driving up its market value among collectors and players.

  • What is the role of luxury goods like Magic cards in subjective valuation?

    Luxury goods like Magic cards, including the Black Lotus, hold subjective worth based on factors such as rarity, demand, and cultural significance within the collector community. The value attached to these items goes beyond their original purpose as game pieces, transforming them into coveted collectibles that reflect personal preferences, nostalgia, and investment potential for enthusiasts. The allure of luxury goods like Magic cards lies in their ability to transcend utility and evoke emotional and financial value for collectors and players alike.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Legendary Items Fetch Millions at Auctions"

  • Michael Jordan woke up at 3:30 am with flu-like symptoms, including a stomachache and headache, and was unable to sleep, vomiting throughout the night.
  • Jordan missed a shooting round due to his illness and spent the entire day in bed, continuing to vomit.
  • A ball boy named Preston Truman asked Jordan about his shoes after a pivotal game in 1997, where Jordan was extremely sick.
  • Jordan signed his shoes after winning the game, and they were later sold for $104,000 in 2013.
  • Mark McGwire broke the single-season home run record in 1998, with the game ball selling for $2.6 million at auction to Todd McFarlane.
  • McFarlane also purchased Sammy Sosa's 66th home run baseball for $175,000 and Barry Bonds' 73rd homerun ball for $517,000.
  • Stuart Weitzman bought the British Guiana 1¢ stamp for $9.7 million in June 2014, calling it the most valuable item by weight.
  • A rare Inverted Jenny stamp sold for $1.3 million in 2016 to a private collector.
  • Action Comics #1, debuting Superman in 1938, sold for $3.2 million in 2014 on eBay.
  • The Black Lotus card from Magic: The Gathering, part of the Power Nine, was banned or restricted in all formats except one, and was printed in limited quantities in 1993, leading to high demand and value.

14:09

"Reserved List: Legal constraints, card values soar"

  • In 2002, classic cards like Demonic Tutor and Clone were removed from the list.
  • In 2010, Wizards experimented with reprinting Reserved List cards in foil, causing backlash from players.
  • Douglas Johnson, known as DJ, buys and sells Magic cards for a living.
  • Mark Rosewater and others at Wizards would like the Reserved List gone, but legal constraints make it difficult.
  • Scott Peitzer, an attorney, discusses the legal aspects of the Reserved List and promissory estoppel.
  • Black Lotus, a highly sought-after card, was printed in 1993 and can never be reprinted due to the Reserved List.
  • Zakeel Gordon, a product data professional, discusses the allure of Magic cards like Black Lotus.
  • Black Lotus's value has significantly increased over the years, with prices soaring into the thousands.
  • Authenticity of high-value cards like Black Lotus is crucial, with methods like the Bend Test and jeweler's loupe used for verification.
  • DJ sent his Black Lotus for grading, receiving a 9.5 rating, significantly increasing its value.

27:34

Subjective Value of Luxury Collectibles Explored

  • Zakeel and DJ discuss the value of luxury goods like sneakers, Magic cards, and paintings, emphasizing the subjective worth attached to these items.
  • The Black Lotus, a highly sought-after Magic card, is highlighted as a prime example of a collectible transcending its original purpose, with one copy selling for $87,000 in July 2018.
  • The video credits Titus Chalk for sound clips, features Zakeel Gordon and DJ as guests, and acknowledges the support of Patrons and partnership with Cardkingdom.com for purchasing singles for commander decks.
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