Artist Proof Black Lotus Certified by CGC Cards Realizes Six Figures in Heritage Sale

An Artist Proof Black Lotus certified by CGC Cards™ realized six figures in a recent Heritage Auctions sale. The Limited Edition Magic: The Gathering card was just one of many CGC-certified cards that were featured in Heritage’s Trading Card Games Featuring Funko Pop! Signature Auction, which ended on October 21, 2023.

The Black Lotus, Magic: The Gathering (1993) Limited Edition Beta Artist Proof graded CGC 8.5 (lot 36023) inspired fierce competition during the sale. Black Lotus is one of the most sought-after MTG cards of all time, regularly setting records as the most expensive Magic card. Part of the Power Nine, the Artifact card was banned soon after the initial Magic editions were released to the public, and it was never reissued. It is estimated that only 3,300 copies of the Limited Edition Beta Black Lotus were printed.

However, this particular Black Lotus is even more coveted — it is an Artist Proof, a card that was printed during the Limited Edition Beta set’s design process. Artist Proofs are even more elusive than the Black Lotuses that were officially released, making this acquisition a possible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The CGC-certified rarity realized $106,250, becoming the second highest-selling Black Lotus certified by CGC Cards on Heritage’s platform.

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Other highlights certified by CGC Cards in the sale included:

• a Mox Pearl, Magic: The Gathering (1992) Gamma Playtest graded CGC 8 (lot 36001) that realized $13,750
• an Ancestral Recall, Magic: The Gathering (1993) Limited Edition Alpha graded CGC 8.5 (lot 36024) that realized $11,562
• an Ancestral Recall, Magic: The Gathering (1993) Unlimited Edition graded CGC Pristine 10 (lot 36028) that realized $10,625
• a Mox Emerald, Magic: The Gathering (1993) Limited Edition Alpha graded CGC 7.5 (lot 36026) that realized $8,750
• a Lugia, Pokémon (2000) Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo graded CGC Gem Mint 10 (lot 36078) that realized $8,125
• a Black Lotus, Magic: The Gathering (1993) Unlimited Edition graded CGC 4 (lot 37002) that realized $7,812

All prices realized include a buyer’s premium.