Why is Black Lotus worth so much?

Surge101 · 08-19-2009, 08:49 AM

Surely, a good card, however $3000-$4000 for the thing? There must be another reason for this.

Clock King · 08-19-2009, 08:50 AM

Because some people like buying cardboard that much.

Spam Infraction.

Geek Corner · 08-19-2009, 08:56 AM

It is the law of supply vs. demand

Black lotus is an extremely rare card. I believe the total print run of Alpha-Unlimited was around 10 million cards or so. This includes Rares Uncommon and lands. I believe this comes out to around 10,000 or so Black lotus actually printed based on rarity and distribution. Now ask your self how many were destroyed and damaged over the last 16 years. And if you shop around you can get a decent grade (EX or better) lotus for under $1,000.

hjerk · 08-19-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoilerking2009

It is the law of supply vs. demand

Black lotus is an extremely rare card. I believe the total print run of Alpha-Unlimited was around 10 million cards or so. This includes Rares Uncommon and lands. I believe this comes out to around 10,000 or so Black lotus actually printed based on rarity and distribution. Now ask your self how many were destroyed and damaged over the last 16 years. And if you shop around you can get a decent grade (EX or better) lotus for under $1,000.

I ran similar calculations a long time ago. If I recall correctly, I had one of about 1,400 Alpha Lotuses (Loti?) in my possession for a while.

Speaking of damaged Loti (Lotuses?)...

1559x1066 Image:

At any rate, Lotus is now only playable in Vintage, Cube and Casual for the most part. I think a lot of players either want one for sentimental value or collector value. I got mine in a huge trade way back in Late '94 and I can still remember the feeling I had when I finally got it...at the time I think they were going for about $140 in my area. Then I proceeded to play the heck out of it without sleeeves...

Brodie · 08-19-2009, 11:15 AM

It is busted in half. That's why.

Anybody who plays Vintage at all knows why this card costs that much. Of course it's a collector's thing, but the card defines vintage in a lot of ways. It's almost a pre-requisite of playing a Vintage game of Magic.

Alphataru · 08-19-2009, 12:54 PM

Other than being THE most iconic card in magic, it's actual usage also contributes to its price.

Nowadays, people are generally running on-color moxes. As for Recall and Walk, those are only played in decks that can cast them. Lotus, on the other hand, go into almost every deck in vintage not named dredge. Its general usability is higher than the other powers, hence the price.

Gull · 08-20-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphataru

Other than being THE most iconic card in magic,

Craw Wurm?

The Walrus · 08-20-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gull

Craw Wurm?

Uh...what? I don't see where you would get that. I believe Black Lotus wins.

Gull · 08-20-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hate

Uh...what? I don't see where you would get that. I believe Black Lotus wins.

I've heard of multiple people (one lived in my town) who collected thousands of Craw Wurms to wallpaper their rooms. Craw Wurms are, literally, common. Not worth anything. And yet they inspired this sort of obsessed devotion.

Even the simplest things can become an icon. That's the beauty of it.

Gods_R_Overated · 08-20-2009, 07:55 PM

One or maybe one plus one guy knows someone who does it also does not make it an icon. Black Lotus is not only horribly broken, but it's legacy as being so broken makes it almost like an icon showing how far magic has come from then to now

releasethedogs · 08-20-2009, 08:51 PM

Black lotus is rare and its seen as the apex of magic collecting, its the babe ruth rookie card of magic.
heh. yeah i've know lots of people who collected craw wurms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gull

I've heard of multiple people (one lived in my town) who collected thousands of Craw Wurms to wallpaper their rooms. Craw Wurms are, literally, common. Not worth anything. And yet they inspired this sort of obsessed devotion.

Even the simplest things can become an icon. That's the beauty of it.

picts or it didn't happen

Taylor · 08-20-2009, 09:04 PM

Ancestral Recall is a better card, but:

Its colorless, and makes ANY deck you put it in better. You can't have a T1 deck, without it.
Additionally, as was brought up, its the most iconic card in magic. Having one grants you instant prestige. People that played magic when young are willing to pay to get that card they always wanted.

(I have one because I don't like proxies in my T1 deck, and don't)

Cruxshadow13 · 08-20-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by releasethedogs

Black lotus is rare and its seen as the apex of magic collecting, its the babe ruth rookie card of magic.

Isnt the fabled "Summer Magic" Blue Hurricane worth more though? Of course theres not many that werent destroyed.
Anyway, Yeah Black lotus is expensive for the same reason that a ferrari is more expensive than the totalled Eagle Talon in my front yard. Its an icon in magic history, and the fact that theyre old, pieces of cardstock that have survived 16 years is pretty ballin'. Theyre awesome to have, always have been, and always will. Collectors will be hunting for the Power for years to come.

Mephiston · 08-20-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruxshadow13

Isnt the fabled "Summer Magic" Blue Hurricane worth more though? Of course theres not many that werent destroyed.

Just under $6,000 for these on eBay...

That said, the best example of a Black Lotus (Beta, Beckett Graded Gem Mint) will set you back just under $60,000

Gull · 08-20-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gods_R_Overated

One or maybe one plus one guy knows someone who does it also does not make it an icon. Black Lotus is not only horribly broken, but it's legacy as being so broken makes it almost like an icon showing how far magic has come from then to now

The point wasn't the wallpaper, it's was how many more people got to bust out a Craw Wurm than a Black Lotus.

Black Lotus is like some inaccessible black and white movie that critics love but no one has actually seen. Craw Wurm is like big stupid action film. To some people, Hollywood is about the former, to others the latter, but I'd say that Citizen Kane is no more iconic than, say, Terminator 2.

I'm not arguing that Black Lotus ISN'T iconic. I'm just saying, there are other contenders.

08-19-2009, 08:49 AM	#1
Surge101 Common Mage Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 48	Why is Black Lotus worth so much? Surely, a good card, however $3000-$4000 for the thing? There must be another reason for this.
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08-19-2009, 08:50 AM	#2
Clock King Banned Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 7,684	Because some people like buying cardboard that much. Spam Infraction. Last edited by extremeicon; 08-19-2009 at 09:04 AM.
0	$Received Infraction$

08-19-2009, 08:56 AM	#3
Geek Corner Banned (Ripping) Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 301	It is the law of supply vs. demand Black lotus is an extremely rare card. I believe the total print run of Alpha-Unlimited was around 10 million cards or so. This includes Rares Uncommon and lands. I believe this comes out to around 10,000 or so Black lotus actually printed based on rarity and distribution. Now ask your self how many were destroyed and damaged over the last 16 years. And if you shop around you can get a decent grade (EX or better) lotus for under $1,000. __________________ Help Support Project Little Girl
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08-19-2009, 11:15 AM	#5
Brodie Wizard Mentor Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 602	... It is busted in half. That's why. Anybody who plays Vintage at all knows why this card costs that much. Of course it's a collector's thing, but the card defines vintage in a lot of ways. It's almost a pre-requisite of playing a Vintage game of Magic.
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08-20-2009, 09:04 PM	#12
Taylor Trying to be a better man Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Mexico: Welcome to the Land of Enchantment (errata'ed to 'Enchant land') Posts: 11,066 Blog Entries: 16	Ancestral Recall is a better card, but: Its colorless, and makes ANY deck you put it in better. You can't have a T1 deck, without it. Additionally, as was brought up, its the most iconic card in magic. Having one grants you instant prestige. People that played magic when young are willing to pay to get that card they always wanted. (I have one because I don't like proxies in my T1 deck, and don't) __________________ Read 5ColorControl please. Talk to me off topic here
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08-19-2009, 12:54 PM	#6
Alphataru Archmage Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Posts: 783	Other than being THE most iconic card in magic, it's actual usage also contributes to its price. Nowadays, people are generally running on-color moxes. As for Recall and Walk, those are only played in decks that can cast them. Lotus, on the other hand, go into almost every deck in vintage not named dredge. Its general usability is higher than the other powers, hence the price.
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