{
 "id": "magic/alpha/ancestral-recall",
 "url": "https://cardvolume.com/magic/alpha/ancestral-recall/",
 "markdown_url": "https://cardvolume.com/magic/alpha/ancestral-recall/index.md",
 "name": "Ancestral Recall",
 "title": "Ancestral Recall (Limited Edition Alpha)",
 "category": "magic",
 "category_name": "Magic: The Gathering",
 "set": "Limited Edition Alpha",
 "number": null,
 "year": 1993,
 "language": "English",
 "rarity": "rare",
 "artist": "Mark Poole",
 "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast",
 "flagship": true,
 "updated": "2026-09-28",
 "as_of": "2026-11-11",
 "summary": "Ancestral Recall is the original one-blue-mana draw spell from Limited Edition Alpha and one of the Power Nine. Collectors search for it because it is a first-set Reserved List card with separate Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, grade, and condition markets.",
 "key_facts": [
  "CardVolume lists 13 verified sales of the Ancestral Recall (Limited Edition Alpha) as of November 11, 2026.",
  "No grade has the 5 verified sales in 90 days needed for a market price; the most recent verified sale was $4,500 for a Limited Edition Beta CGC 5 on May 20, 2026 at Heritage Auctions.",
  "The highest verified sale on record is $36,000 for a Limited Edition Alpha BGS 9.5 on March 4, 2022 at Heritage Auctions."
 ],
 "versions": [
  {
   "key": "alpha",
   "label": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "how_to_identify": "Black border, no expansion symbol, original 1993 frame, catalog number 47, and the larger Alpha corner cut."
  },
  {
   "key": "beta",
   "label": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "how_to_identify": "Black border and no expansion symbol, but with the standard Magic corner radius rather than Alpha's larger rounded corners."
  },
  {
   "key": "unlimited",
   "label": "Unlimited Edition",
   "how_to_identify": "White border, no expansion symbol, and early 1993 core-set styling distinct from black-bordered Alpha and Beta."
  }
 ],
 "grades": [
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8.5",
   "label": "CGC 8.5",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2025-06-28",
    "price_usd": 10625,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=72~5&sb=1&si=1&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-06-28",
    "price_usd": 10625,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=72~5&sb=1&si=1&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8",
   "label": "CGC 8",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2025-12-13",
    "price_usd": 10312.5,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=72~5&sb=1&si=1&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-12-13",
    "price_usd": 10312.5,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=72~5&sb=1&si=1&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9.5",
   "label": "BGS 9.5",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2022-03-04",
    "price_usd": 36000,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&comic_category=2923&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=48~8&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2022-03-04",
    "price_usd": 36000,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&comic_category=2923&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=48~8&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9",
   "label": "BGS 9",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 5,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2026-05-18",
    "price_usd": 14400,
    "venue": "Fanatics Collect",
    "buyer_premium_included": false,
    "source_url": "https://www.fanaticscollect.com/buy-now/a6b08d70-2359-4390-ae33-f9275dde4c40/1993-magic-the-gathering-mtg-alpha-ancestral-recall-bgs-9-mint"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2021-03-25",
    "price_usd": 21600,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=40166&auction_year=2021&dept=1938&layout=list&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524"
   },
   "population": {
    "count": 60,
    "as_of": "2023-07-07",
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-ancestral-recall-limited-edition-alpha-edition-bgs-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7328-36001.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "version_key": "beta",
   "grader": "PSA",
   "grade": "2",
   "label": "PSA 2",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2024-10-27",
    "price_usd": 5789,
    "venue": "eBay",
    "buyer_premium_included": false,
    "source_url": "https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/non-sports-cards/1993-magic-gathering-beta/ancestral-recall/632150"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2024-10-27",
    "price_usd": 5789,
    "venue": "eBay",
    "buyer_premium_included": false,
    "source_url": "https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/non-sports-cards/1993-magic-gathering-beta/ancestral-recall/632150"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "version_key": "beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8.5",
   "label": "CGC 8.5",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2025-09-20",
    "price_usd": 6250,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=7424&auction_year=2025&dept=1938&layout=list&mode=archive&page=25~2&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-09-20",
    "price_usd": 6250,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=7424&auction_year=2025&dept=1938&layout=list&mode=archive&page=25~2&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "version_key": "beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8",
   "label": "CGC 8",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2025-12-13",
    "price_usd": 5500,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=7431&auction_year=2025&dept=1938&layout=list&mode=archive&page=25~4&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-12-13",
    "price_usd": 5500,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=7431&auction_year=2025&dept=1938&layout=list&mode=archive&page=25~4&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "version_key": "beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "5",
   "label": "CGC 5",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2026-05-20",
    "price_usd": 4500,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=332620&auction_year=2026&dept=1938&ic4=OtherResults-SampleItem-AuctionNo-051517&mode=archive&sold_status=1526~1524"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2026-05-20",
    "price_usd": 4500,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=332620&auction_year=2026&dept=1938&ic4=OtherResults-SampleItem-AuctionNo-051517&mode=archive&sold_status=1526~1524"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "version_key": "beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "Gem Mint 10",
   "label": "CGC Gem Mint 10",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2026-03-28",
    "price_usd": 10625,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=72~5&sb=1&si=1&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2026-03-28",
    "price_usd": 10625,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=72~5&sb=1&si=1&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  }
 ],
 "verified_sales": [
  {
   "date": "2026-05-20",
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "5",
   "price_usd": 4500,
   "price": 4500,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=332620&auction_year=2026&dept=1938&ic4=OtherResults-SampleItem-AuctionNo-051517&mode=archive&sold_status=1526~1524",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-18",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9",
   "price_usd": 14400,
   "price": 14400,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": false,
   "venue": "Fanatics Collect",
   "sale_type": "fixed",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://www.fanaticscollect.com/buy-now/a6b08d70-2359-4390-ae33-f9275dde4c40/1993-magic-the-gathering-mtg-alpha-ancestral-recall-bgs-9-mint",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-03-28",
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "Gem Mint 10",
   "price_usd": 10625,
   "price": 10625,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=72~5&sb=1&si=1&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-12-13",
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8",
   "price_usd": 5500,
   "price": 5500,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=7431&auction_year=2025&dept=1938&layout=list&mode=archive&page=25~4&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-12-13",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8",
   "price_usd": 10312.5,
   "price": 10312.5,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=72~5&sb=1&si=1&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-09-20",
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8.5",
   "price_usd": 6250,
   "price": 6250,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=7424&auction_year=2025&dept=1938&layout=list&mode=archive&page=25~2&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-06-28",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8.5",
   "price_usd": 10625,
   "price": 10625,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=72~5&sb=1&si=1&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-06-13",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9",
   "price_usd": 16000,
   "price": 16000,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": false,
   "venue": "Fanatics Collect",
   "sale_type": "fixed",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://www.fanaticscollect.com/buy-now/a6b08d70-2359-4390-ae33-f9275dde4c40/1993-magic-the-gathering-mtg-alpha-ancestral-recall-bgs-9-mint",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2024-10-27",
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "grader": "PSA",
   "grade": "2",
   "price_usd": 5789,
   "price": 5789,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": false,
   "venue": "eBay",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": "76092898",
   "source_url": "https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/non-sports-cards/1993-magic-gathering-beta/ancestral-recall/632150",
   "status": "verified"
  },
  {
   "date": "2024-04-11",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9",
   "price_usd": 15625,
   "price": 15625,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&comic_category=2923&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=48~20&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2023-07-07",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9",
   "price_usd": 16875,
   "price": 16875,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-ancestral-recall-limited-edition-alpha-edition-bgs-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7328-36001.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2022-03-04",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9.5",
   "price_usd": 36000,
   "price": 36000,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&comic_category=2923&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=48~8&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2021-03-25",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9",
   "price_usd": 21600,
   "price": 21600,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=40166&auction_year=2021&dept=1938&layout=list&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  }
 ],
 "graded_market_value_usd": null,
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "What is Alpha Ancestral Recall?",
   "a": "Alpha Ancestral Recall is a rare Limited Edition Alpha instant by Mark Poole, cataloged as number 47 in modern databases.",
   "source_ids": [
    1
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "Is Ancestral Recall on the Reserved List?",
   "a": "Yes, Wizards lists Ancestral Recall from Limited Edition on the official Reserved List.",
   "source_ids": [
    2
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "How much did a BGS 9 Alpha Ancestral Recall sell for in July 2023?",
   "a": "A BGS Mint 9 Alpha Ancestral Recall sold for $16,875 at Heritage on July 7, 2023.",
   "source_ids": [
    4
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "How much did a BGS 9 Alpha Ancestral Recall sell for in April 2024?",
   "a": "A BGS Mint 9 Alpha Ancestral Recall sold for $15,625 at Heritage on April 11, 2024.",
   "source_ids": [
    5
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "How do I tell Alpha from Unlimited Ancestral Recall?",
   "a": "Alpha is black-bordered with the larger Alpha corner cut, while Unlimited is white-bordered.",
   "source_ids": [
    1,
    3
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "How many PSA 10 Alpha Ancestral Recall copies exist?",
   "a": "Not established in the opened evidence; no current PSA population page with an explicit as-of date was opened for this card.",
   "source_ids": []
  }
 ],
 "sources": [
  {
   "title": "Ancestral Recall - Limited Edition Alpha catalog page",
   "url": "https://mtg.wtf/card/lea/47/Ancestral-Recall",
   "publisher": "mtg.wtf"
  },
  {
   "title": "Official Reprint Policy",
   "url": "https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/official-reprint-policy",
   "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast"
  },
  {
   "title": "Alpha Rare Authentication",
   "url": "https://www.mtginformation.com/alpha-rare-authentication",
   "publisher": "MTG Information"
  },
  {
   "title": "Heritage Auctions Lot 36001: Ancestral Recall Alpha BGS Mint 9",
   "url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-ancestral-recall-limited-edition-alpha-edition-bgs-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7328-36001.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "publisher": "Heritage Auctions"
  },
  {
   "title": "Heritage Auctions archive results: April 11, 2024 Alpha Ancestral Recall BGS Mint 9",
   "url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&comic_category=2923&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=48~20&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524",
   "publisher": "Heritage Auctions"
  },
  {
   "title": "Heritage Auctions archive results: Alpha Ancestral Recall BGS Gem Mint 9.5",
   "url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&comic_category=2923&dept=1938&layout=gallery&mode=archive&page=48~8&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524",
   "publisher": "Heritage Auctions"
  },
  {
   "title": "Heritage Auctions archive results: March 25, 2021 Alpha Ancestral Recall BGS 9",
   "url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&auction_name=40166&auction_year=2021&dept=1938&layout=list&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526~1524",
   "publisher": "Heritage Auctions"
  }
 ],
 "methodology": "https://cardvolume.com/methodology/",
 "cite_as": "Ancestral Recall (Limited Edition Alpha). CardVolume, https://cardvolume.com/magic/alpha/ancestral-recall/ (accessed 2026-11-11)."
}