The 25 Most Expensive Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards of All Time

The pursuit of rare Yugioh cards has evolved beyond a casual hobby, transforming into a global collector's market akin to many Trading Card Games (TCGs). Since its inception in 1999, certain cards have gained such prestige that they command prices reaching tens of thousands of dollars at auctions. This guide aims to highlight The 25 Most Expensive YuGiOh Cards of All Time.

Diversity characterizes the lineup of the priciest Yugioh cards. Their value doesn't hinge solely on being the best cards in the game. This list isn't dominated by Yugioh Exodia cards, powerful entries from the Yugioh banlist, or those featured in top Yugioh decks and Yugioh Master Duel meta decks.

Instead, many of these valuable cards are pristine copies of the most iconic cards ever released. Their worth and popularity stem from their integral role in the decks of prominent Yugioh characters featured in the show. Additionally, some entries are promotional cards distributed to tournament winners, appreciated for their rarity. For those interested, exploring most rare YuGiOh cards and the most expensive MTG cards of all time may also be intriguing.

Here, we present the world's most expensive YuGiOh cards and the rarest YuGiOh card ever.

25. 2020 United We Stand PSA 10 - $7,000

This card was presented as a prize for the October 2020 Yu-Gi-Oh! Remote Duel at Home Sweepstakes. Describing the rarity of this card as substantial would be an understatement, given that only 5 of them are documented with PSA, and there are merely 3 PSA 10-rated copies in existence worldwide. With such a limited population and the escalating popularity of Yugioh cards among collectors, the potential for this card in future sales seems boundless.

24. 2009 Majestic Star Dragon PSA 10 - $8,999.90

During either player's turn, when your opponent activates a card or effect, you have the option to refrain from tributing this card. If you choose to do so, you can negate the activation, subsequently destroying all cards your opponent controls. Once per turn, you possess the ability to target one face-up monster controlled by your opponent. By doing this, you negate its effects until the end of the turn and gain the option to activate one of its effects as if it were this card's effect for the current turn.

In terms of rarity, there are only 65 total PSA graded examples of this card, and a mere 22 of them have achieved a coveted PSA 10 grade. While many cards discussed on this list originate from the original 2002 sets, this Ghost Rare card has seen a surge in popularity, attributed in part to its increasingly revered artwork, considered one of the most beautiful in the entire game. This is one of the most expensive YuGiOh cards of all time.

23. 2009 Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon PSA 10 - $9,000

The Retro Pack series, brimming with potent cards, was crafted with the intention of aiding Duelists in acquiring elusive and out-of-print cards. Similar sets by Pokemon have proven to be immensely popular among collectors.

In the case of this particular card, the total number of PSA graded examples is a mere 88, with a scant 27 instances achieving the coveted PSA 10 rating in the population.

22. Shrink Ultra Rare Limited Edition - $9,586.64

One of the most expensive YuGiOh cards - Shrink made its debut at the 2006 Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Championships, rendering first editions of the card highly valuable. Owning a Shrink from this limited-edition prize card release is considered a noteworthy treasure. While selling it raw, as the seller did, might not maximize its potential, the final sale price of nearly $10,000 is still quite significant.

Despite being sold without grading, the rarity of this card is evident from the fact that only three graded examples are on record with PSA. Notably, there are no PSA 10s, and only one instance holds a PSA 9 rating.

21. 2002 Dark Magician Dark Duel Stories PSA 10 - $9,999.99

The creation of the Dark Magician transpired when Mahad fused his ba with "Illusion Magician," his ka, during a confrontation with Thief King Bakura. The Dark Magician played a crucial role in repelling ghosts and engaging in battle against Diabound. Subsequently, it continued to serve the Pharaoh in the iconic form of the Dark Magician.

In a prior mention, we discussed Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the same promo set ranking at #3 on the list. Interestingly, this Dark Magician holds an even greater rarity, with only 88 instances graded as PSA 10.

20. 1998 Toei Poker Blue/Red-Eyes White Dragon BGS 10 - $10,000

As per the eBay listing, the seller extracted these two cards from exceptionally rare sealed 1998 Volume 2 Poker Decks and subsequently submitted them to BGS. Both cards received a perfect 10 grading from BGS.

19. Cyber-Stein Ultra Rare BGS 9 - $11,100

Another most expensive YuGiOh cards. This particular Cyber-Stein is yet another Shonen Jump Prize Card, specifically from 2004. These cards were exclusively awarded to the winners of both the main and side events, with only two recipients in total.

18. 2003 Dark Paladin PSA 10 - $12,000

The Dark Paladin stands out as one of the most valuable cards in the game due to its utility. Its effect allows the player to discard 1 card to negate and destroy the activation of a Spell Card. Notably, this card must be face-up on the field for the effect to be activated and resolved.

In terms of rarity, there are only 44 instances of this card that have been graded, with a mere 12 achieving a PSA 10 rating. This scarcity solidifies its status as one of the rarest cards on this list.

17. 2004 Black Luster Soldier Envoy of the Beginning PSA10 - $12,100

Another most expensive YuGiOh cards. Originating from Invasion of the Chaos booster boxes, which featured potent "Chaos" monsters, this card, "Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning," was part of a trio alongside "Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End" and "Dark Magician of Chaos." These additions further emphasized the utilization of the already formidable LIGHT and DARK Attributes. In the PSA population, there are a scant 52 instances graded as PSA 10.

16. 2003 Dark Magician Girl PSA 10 - $14,400

Having a PSA 10 population of merely 85, this Secret Rare Dark Magician Girl was featured in the Magician's Force set, which stands as the 8th expansion of the Yugioh Trading Card Game. This is one of the 25 most expensive YuGiOh cards of all time.

15. 2002 MECHANICALCHASER PSA 10 - $14,999

Similar to the aforementioned Morphing Jar, the Mechanicalchaser from the 2002 Tournament Pack 1 holds an exceptional rarity, boasting a mere 25 instances graded as PSA 10 and a total of only 71 cards that have undergone grading.

14. 2002 Morphing Jar #2 PSA 10 - $15,000

While the artwork on this card may not be particularly noteworthy, it has evolved into one of the most sought-after collectibles in the world of Yugioh. The strategic play of Morphing Jar adds to its appeal, as when activated, both players discard their cards and draw five new ones—an effective move, especially in dire situations.

With an exceedingly low PSA 10 population of only 24, the tournament pack 2 promo card has become incredibly hot and in high demand. The scarcity is further emphasized by the fact that only 92 of these cards have ever been graded by PSA, making it quite the challenge for collectors to track one down.

13. 2007 Gold Sarcophagus Ultra PSA 8 - $17,500

This is one of the 25 most expensive YuGiOh cards of all time. This card is a prize from the 2007 Shonen Jump Championship Series, which served as the flagship tournament series for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game from 2004 to 2010. Following Konami's takeover of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, the series was succeeded by Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series.

During the distribution of this card at Shonen Jump events, only 4 copies were given out at each gathering. The Gold Sarcophagus was one of these coveted prizes.

12. 2002 Blue-Eyes White Dragon PSA 10 - $20,000

The Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories promotional cards constitute a collection of Prismatic Secret Rare cards that come bundled with the North American release of the video game Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories. With only 131 instances graded as PSA 10, acquiring this rare gem proves to be a notably challenging endeavor.

11. 2002 Blue-Eyes White Dragon BGS 9.5 - $21,111.60

Distinguishing itself as the "wavy" edition, this card's uniqueness stems from its association with the term originally known as 1st edition. The moniker "wavy" emerged when collectors discovered that 1st edition cards from the original Legend of Blue-Eyes White Dragon (LOB) expansion were printed on two distinct card stocks. The wavy version, characterized by a more subdued appearance and a textured waviness, set it apart.

BGS (Beckett Grading Services) assessed this card with a gem mint 9.5 grade, and it received a perfect 10 grade specifically for its centering.

10. 2002 Red Eyes B.Dragon PSA 10 - $29,000

Continuing the pattern of remarkably low PSA populations, only 69 of these cards have been graded as PSA 10. Originating from the inaugural set of the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game released in English, this card maintains a rarity that adds to its collectible allure.

9. 1999 Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth PSA 10 - $29,999.99

At the point of sale, this card had a PSA population of only 1, but subsequent to the transaction, two more PSA 10s have been included in the population report. It will be intriguing to observe how this development influences the price the next time one of these Yugioh cards becomes available for sale.

8. 2002 Exodia The Forbidden One PSA 10 - $35,000

There are a total of 82 cards with a PSA 10 rating, out of the 365 cards that have been graded. With a gem rate of around 25%, this card proves challenging to grade, contributing to its high demand whenever a PSA 10 becomes available in the market.

As part of the Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon, the inaugural expansion of the Yugioh TCG, this card holds the status of being one of the ten Ultra Rares. It stands out as one of the most widely embraced Yugioh cards in the entire game.

7. 2002 Blue Eyes White Dragon 1st Edition PSA 10 PSA 10 - $47,200

This card is identical to #4, but I've included it in the list to highlight the considerable price volatility in the sports/trading card market. It was sold within a month of the previously mentioned one, but for nearly $40,000 less.

6. 2007 Crush Card Virus – $50,000

Emerging as a coveted prize card during the 2007 Shonen Jump Championships (a series of Yugioh trading card game tournaments later succeeded by the Yugioh Championship Series), the version of Crush Card Virus from this event is a rarity in the collector's realm. Initially, only 40 copies were crafted, with an additional two produced for the SJC 2008 tournaments.

The card's scarcity takes precedence over its functionality or popularity, rendering it highly valuable to collectors. In June 2020, a PSA 10 gem mint copy of this elusive card changed hands for $49,999 (£40,058.70) on eBay. Notably, this impressive price tag was achieved despite the card spending a significant portion of its existence residing on the Yugioh banlist.

5. Dark Magician LOB 1st Edition - $85,000

A familiar presence in both the Yugioh anime and trading card game, the Dark Magician holds special significance as the favored card of protagonist Yugi Muto. The card's association with the main character brings with it a substantial price tag, exemplified by a PSA 10 gem mint condition copy from the Legend of Blue-Eyes White Dragon set that fetched $85,000 (£65,000) at an auction in June 2021.

It's worth noting that this particular Dark Magician was the Arkana variant. While functionally identical to the original card, it features distinct artwork with a crimson hue and was introduced in the anime as a rival to Yugi Muto's version of the card.

4. 2002 Blue Eyes White Dragon 1st Edition PSA 10 - $85,100

Undoubtedly, #4 in the list of 25 most expensive YuGiOh cards - the Blue-Eyes White Dragon stands out as arguably the most iconic card within the entire Yugioh franchise. Its popularity extends beyond its prowess in the trading card game, where combining three of them results in the formidable Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. The card's significance is further underscored by its powerful appearances in the original anime and manga.

Initially released in Japan in 1999, followed by the United States shortly after, the value of mint condition first editions has seen a remarkable surge. Such is the card's impact that it even made headlines when a father went viral to sell a few to fund his daughter's education.

3. Tyler, The Great Warrior – $311,211

Crafted in 2005 as part of a Make-a-Wish request by Tyler Gressle, Tyler the Great Warrior stands out as the sole existing copy of this one-of-a-kind Yugioh card. Gressle, then 14 years old, designed the card while bravely battling a rare form of liver cancer.

Eighteen years later, he made the decision to part with the card. The final bid in the auction reached an impressive $311,211 (£249,793.51), firmly securing its place as the rarest and most expensive Yugioh card to date. In unequivocal terms, this card holds the top spot as the epitome of rarity and value in the world of Yugioh cards.

2. Tournament Black Luster Soldier - $2,000,000 (reportedly)

One of the most expensive YuGiOh cards of all time. Undoubtedly the most valuable card featured here, the Tournament Black Luster Soldier holds a legendary status as it was an exclusive prize bestowed upon the victor of the inaugural Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament in 1999. Crafted from stainless steel, this one-of-a-kind card boasts an unparalleled rarity, rendering it essentially priceless. While the exact transaction figures remain speculative, reports suggest that those daring to part with this card have floated amounts in the millions. Acquiring this card is akin to winning the Yu-Gi-Oh! lottery, solidifying its status as the pinnacle of collectible extravagance.

1. Black Luster Soldier (Stainless Steel) - $10,000,000

In the original anime, Yugi used Black Luster Soldier, a basic Ritual Monster. However, a unique Stainless Steel version was awarded to the winner of the first-ever Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament Duel Monsters 1. Kotaku reported its owner listed it for ten million dollars in 2013, marking the highest price for any trading card. With only one in existence and being the sole instance of cards printed on stainless steel, it's considered one of the rarest YuGiOh cards of all time.

In conclusion, The 25 Most Expensive YuGiOh Cards of All Time offer a fascinating glimpse into the rare and valuable realm of Yugioh collectibles. The market's dynamism, as evidenced by the significant price variations, underscores the continuous intrigue and demand among collectors. For further updates on rare cards and other exclusive Yugioh items, stay tuned to Japan Figure for the latest developments in this ever-evolving world of trading card treasures.