The most infamous card in Magic: The Gathering history, the alpha version of Black Lotus, was auctioned on eBay for $511,100. Sponsored by trading card investment firm PWCC, the card was the first Magic CCG card to sell for more than $500,000 in an open auction. Other collectible card game cards, usually unique single printings, could have sold for much higher prices, but if they did, there is no public record of their sale. Past Alpha Black Lotus cards have fetched as much as $250,000.

Additionally, the case is signed by Christopher Rush, the now-deceased Magic artist who created the art for the card. Rush's artwork set the tone not only for the first set of Magic cards, but for the entire series. He passed away in 2016.

The Alpha series of Magic cards was the first set printed in 1993. It was notorious as the most powerful card in the first set and was banned from play for years. Only 1,100 copies of Alpha Black Lotus exist, many of which have been lost to time and wear. It was appraised at 10 by PSA, one of the most respected appraisal services in collectible card games. Auction organizer PWCC stated that the card is "by all accounts the finest Alpha Black Lotus we have had the pleasure of brokering."

Ridiculous in terms of the collector's item world, it is the best proof that geek stuff is taking over the world. The rarity of the Black Lotus practically guarantees that it will remain the most valuable CCG trading card as long as Magic continues to be printed and sold. We will update this page when they reach $750,000 and $1,000,000, respectively.