A 1993 Limited Edition Alpha Black Lotus graded CGC Pristine 10 was reported sold privately for $3 million in April 2024. CGC called it the highest price paid for a Magic: The Gathering card at the time; the available reporting does not establish whether that record still stood on October 4, 2026.
Which Magic card sold for $3 million?
It was an Alpha Black Lotus, one of the original cards from Magic: The Gathering’s 1993 Limited Edition Alpha set. The copy had a CGC Pristine 10 grade, CGC’s top condition designation. CGC announced the sale on April 29, 2024, describing a private transaction between Adam Cai of Pristine Collectibles and a buyer whose identity was not disclosed. CGC’s sale report
The amount was also reported by Star City Games, which said its GM of Sales, Ben Bleiweiss, confirmed the figure directly with Cai. That provides reported corroboration, but the transaction was private rather than a public auction with an inspectable sale record. Star City Games’ report
Was it The One Ring?
No. The $3 million card was Black Lotus, not the serialized One Ring. CGC compared the sale with the One Ring that Post Malone reportedly bought for more than $2 million in 2023, describing the Black Lotus transaction as surpassing that earlier figure. Both amounts should be understood as reported sale prices, not as proof that other copies of either card are worth the same. CGC’s account of the comparison
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Why can an Alpha Black Lotus command such a price?
Edition and scarcity
CGC’s September 2024 collector overview gives a print count of 1,008 for Alpha Black Lotus and 3,025 for the Beta edition. Those figures describe the respective Black Lotus printings; they are not counts of how many copies survive today or how many are available for sale. Alpha’s early place in Magic’s history and its lower reported print count contribute to its collector significance. CGC’s collector overview
Condition and grading
Exceptional condition is difficult to find among early cards. CGC’s Pristine 10 grade identifies this particular copy as an unusually high-grade example, and third-party certification can help collectors assess condition and authenticity. A grade is not a price guarantee: it does not establish what another Black Lotus, even one from Alpha, will sell for.
Rank #2
- Name: Gilded Lotus
- Set: Dominaria
- A single individual card from the Magic: the Gathering (MTG) trading and collectible card game (TCG/CCG).
Transaction details
A private sale and an auction result are different kinds of evidence. CGC’s overview references completed sales through Fanatics Collect, Heritage Auctions and Goldin for other cards, but those auction comparisons are separate from this private $3 million transaction. A price attached to one exceptional, privately negotiated card cannot be used as a typical market price or a forecast of future returns.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the $3 million sale still hold the record?
CGC described the transaction as the highest price paid for a Magic card in its April 2024 report, and its later 2024 overview said the sale held the record as of August 2024. Those dated claims do not establish the all-time record as of October 4, 2026. The careful formulation is that CGC and Star City Games reported a $3 million Black Lotus sale in 2024, which CGC identified as the record at that time.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Legendary Treasure: Celebrate the rare Black Lotus, symbol of power and devotion, a festive keepsake for collectors and cherished gift.
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- Handcrafted Quality: Made from mouth-blown glass and hand-painted with traditional techniques from the 1800s.
- Timeless Collectible: Crafted to endure for generations, this ornament maintains its quality year after year, bringing lasting beauty and holiday joy.
Rank #4
- Name: Lotus Field
- Set: Core Set 2020
- A single individual card from the Magic: the Gathering (MTG) trading and collectible card game (TCG/CCG).
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