{
 "id": "magic/alpha/black-lotus",
 "url": "https://cardvolume.com/magic/alpha/black-lotus/",
 "markdown_url": "https://cardvolume.com/magic/alpha/black-lotus/index.md",
 "name": "Black Lotus",
 "title": "Black Lotus (Limited Edition Alpha)",
 "category": "magic",
 "category_name": "Magic: The Gathering",
 "set": "Limited Edition Alpha",
 "number": null,
 "year": 1993,
 "language": "English",
 "rarity": "rare",
 "artist": "Christopher Rush",
 "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast",
 "flagship": true,
 "updated": "2026-09-28",
 "as_of": "2026-11-11",
 "summary": "Black Lotus is the best-known rare artifact from Magic: The Gathering's first commercial release, Limited Edition Alpha. Collectors search for it because it combines early Magic history, the Power Nine identity, Reserved List status, and unusually large grade and provenance premiums.",
 "key_facts": [
  "CardVolume lists 18 verified sales of the Black Lotus (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 $2,208,000 for a Limited Edition Alpha PSA 10 on September 20, 2026 at Goldin Auctions, reported by ICv2.",
  "The highest verified sale on record is $3,000,000 for a Limited Edition Alpha CGC Pristine 10 on April 29, 2024 at Private sale reported by CGC Cards."
 ],
 "versions": [
  {
   "key": "alpha",
   "label": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "how_to_identify": "Black border, no expansion symbol, original 1993 frame, collector number not printed on the card, and the larger rounded Alpha corner cut."
  },
  {
   "key": "beta",
   "label": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "how_to_identify": "Black border and no expansion symbol like Alpha, 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, same early frame family, and a 1993 core-set printing distinct from Alpha and Beta."
  },
  {
   "key": "alpha-autographed",
   "label": "Limited Edition Alpha autographed copy",
   "how_to_identify": "An Alpha copy with an authenticated autograph or autograph grade; compare only to other signed/autographed examples."
  }
 ],
 "grades": [
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "PSA",
   "grade": "10",
   "label": "PSA 10",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 1,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2026-09-20",
    "price_usd": 2208000,
    "venue": "Goldin Auctions, reported by ICv2",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/63421/magic-the-gathering-psa-10-alpha-black-lotus-sells-over-2-2-million"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2026-09-20",
    "price_usd": 2208000,
    "venue": "Goldin Auctions, reported by ICv2",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/63421/magic-the-gathering-psa-10-alpha-black-lotus-sells-over-2-2-million"
   },
   "population": {
    "count": 3,
    "as_of": "2026-09-20",
    "source_url": "https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/63421/magic-the-gathering-psa-10-alpha-black-lotus-sells-over-2-2-million"
   },
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "PSA",
   "grade": "8",
   "label": "PSA 8",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2026-06-26",
    "price_usd": 100000,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-psa-trading-card-game-nm-mt-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7458-37001.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2026-06-26",
    "price_usd": 100000,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-psa-trading-card-game-nm-mt-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7458-37001.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "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": "2025-12-12",
    "price_usd": 68750,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-36002.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-12-12",
    "price_usd": 68750,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-36002.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "Pristine 10",
   "label": "CGC Pristine 10",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2024-04-29",
    "price_usd": 3000000,
    "venue": "Private sale reported by CGC Cards",
    "buyer_premium_included": false,
    "source_url": "https://www.cgccards.uk/news/article/12859/"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2024-04-29",
    "price_usd": 3000000,
    "venue": "Private sale reported by CGC Cards",
    "buyer_premium_included": false,
    "source_url": "https://www.cgccards.uk/news/article/12859/"
   },
   "population": {
    "count": 1,
    "as_of": "2024-04-29",
    "source_url": "https://www.cgccards.uk/news/article/12859/"
   },
   "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": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2022-12-02",
    "price_usd": 174000,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-bgs-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7291-36009.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2022-12-02",
    "price_usd": 174000,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-bgs-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7291-36009.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha autographed copy",
   "version_key": "alpha-autographed",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "7.5/Auto 10",
   "label": "CGC 7.5/Auto 10",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2026-06-26",
    "price_usd": 78125,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-cgc-near-mint-75-auto-10-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-signed-by-christopher/a/7458-37002.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2026-06-26",
    "price_usd": 78125,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-cgc-near-mint-75-auto-10-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-signed-by-christopher/a/7458-37002.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha autographed copy",
   "version_key": "alpha-autographed",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9/Auto 10",
   "label": "BGS 9/Auto 10",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2024-04-11",
    "price_usd": 106251.25,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&ic10=OtherResults-ViewAll-071515&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering+Black+Lotus"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2024-04-11",
    "price_usd": 106251.25,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&ic10=OtherResults-ViewAll-071515&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering+Black+Lotus"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "version_key": "beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "9",
   "label": "CGC 9",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2025-12-12",
    "price_usd": 36250,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-beta-cgc-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-36016.s?ic16=ViewItem-Auction-Archive-PreviousPricesHeritage-081514"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-12-12",
    "price_usd": 36250,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-beta-cgc-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-36016.s?ic16=ViewItem-Auction-Archive-PreviousPricesHeritage-081514"
   },
   "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": "2025-05-30",
    "price_usd": 27500,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-beta-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7434-36008.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-05-30",
    "price_usd": 27500,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-beta-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7434-36008.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "version_key": "beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "7",
   "label": "CGC 7",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2026-03-27",
    "price_usd": 20625,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&ic10=OtherResults-ViewAll-071515&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering+Black+Lotus"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2026-03-27",
    "price_usd": 20625,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&ic10=OtherResults-ViewAll-071515&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering+Black+Lotus"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "version_key": "beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "4",
   "label": "CGC 4",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2026-05-28",
    "price_usd": 16875,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-beta-cgc-trading-card-game-vg-ex-4-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/43245-77014.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2026-05-28",
    "price_usd": 16875,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-beta-cgc-trading-card-game-vg-ex-4-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/43245-77014.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Unlimited Edition",
   "version_key": "unlimited",
   "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": 15000,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-unlimited-edition-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-37023.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-12-13",
    "price_usd": 15000,
    "venue": "Heritage Auctions",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-unlimited-edition-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-37023.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Unlimited Edition",
   "version_key": "unlimited",
   "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": "2026-07-05",
    "price_usd": 34200,
    "venue": "Fanatics Collect",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://www.cgccards.uk/news/article/15507/rayquaza-gold-star-cgc-fanatics-collect/"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2026-07-05",
    "price_usd": 34200,
    "venue": "Fanatics Collect",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://www.cgccards.uk/news/article/15507/rayquaza-gold-star-cgc-fanatics-collect/"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "9",
   "label": "CGC 9",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2025-08-03",
    "price_usd": 138401.68,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-alpha-black-lotus9h54j"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-08-03",
    "price_usd": 138401.68,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-alpha-black-lotus9h54j"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "6",
   "label": "CGC 6",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2025-10-19",
    "price_usd": 46360,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-limited-edition-alpha-rare-black-lotus-cgc-ex54zdu"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-10-19",
    "price_usd": 46360,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-limited-edition-alpha-rare-black-lotus-cgc-ex54zdu"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "version_key": "alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "8",
   "label": "BGS 8",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2023-11-19",
    "price_usd": 66069.1,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-alpha-bgs-nm-mt-8uq555"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2023-11-19",
    "price_usd": 66069.1,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-alpha-bgs-nm-mt-8uq555"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Unlimited Edition",
   "version_key": "unlimited",
   "grader": "PSA",
   "grade": "3",
   "label": "PSA 3",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2025-05-04",
    "price_usd": 7625,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-unlimited-black-lotus-psa-vg-37vutd"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2025-05-04",
    "price_usd": 7625,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-unlimited-black-lotus-psa-vg-37vutd"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  },
  {
   "version": "Unlimited Edition",
   "version_key": "unlimited",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "7.5",
   "label": "BGS 7.5",
   "market_price_usd": null,
   "market_sales_n": 0,
   "market_window": null,
   "verified_sales": 1,
   "last_verified_sale": {
    "date": "2026-08-04",
    "price_usd": 17324,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-unlimited-rare-black-lotus-bgs-near-mint-7-5hkb62"
   },
   "record_sale": {
    "date": "2026-08-04",
    "price_usd": 17324,
    "venue": "Goldin",
    "buyer_premium_included": true,
    "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-unlimited-rare-black-lotus-bgs-near-mint-7-5hkb62"
   },
   "population": null,
   "graded_market_value_usd": null
  }
 ],
 "verified_sales": [
  {
   "date": "2026-09-20",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "PSA",
   "grade": "10",
   "price_usd": 2208000,
   "price": 2208000,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Goldin Auctions, reported by ICv2",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/63421/magic-the-gathering-psa-10-alpha-black-lotus-sells-over-2-2-million",
   "status": "verified"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-04",
   "version": "Unlimited Edition",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "7.5",
   "price_usd": 17324,
   "price": 17324,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Goldin",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-unlimited-rare-black-lotus-bgs-near-mint-7-5hkb62",
   "status": "verified"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-07-05",
   "version": "Unlimited Edition",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "Gem Mint 10",
   "price_usd": 34200,
   "price": 34200,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Fanatics Collect",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://www.cgccards.uk/news/article/15507/rayquaza-gold-star-cgc-fanatics-collect/",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-06-26",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha autographed copy",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "7.5/Auto 10",
   "price_usd": 78125,
   "price": 78125,
   "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-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-cgc-near-mint-75-auto-10-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-signed-by-christopher/a/7458-37002.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-06-26",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "PSA",
   "grade": "8",
   "price_usd": 100000,
   "price": 100000,
   "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-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-psa-trading-card-game-nm-mt-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7458-37001.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-28",
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "4",
   "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-black-lotus-limited-edition-beta-cgc-trading-card-game-vg-ex-4-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/43245-77014.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-03-27",
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "7",
   "price_usd": 20625,
   "price": 20625,
   "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&ic10=OtherResults-ViewAll-071515&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering+Black+Lotus",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-12-13",
   "version": "Unlimited Edition",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8",
   "price_usd": 15000,
   "price": 15000,
   "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-black-lotus-unlimited-edition-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-37023.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-12-12",
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "9",
   "price_usd": 36250,
   "price": 36250,
   "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-black-lotus-limited-edition-beta-cgc-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-36016.s?ic16=ViewItem-Auction-Archive-PreviousPricesHeritage-081514",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-12-12",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8",
   "price_usd": 68750,
   "price": 68750,
   "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-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-36002.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-10-19",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "6",
   "price_usd": 46360,
   "price": 46360,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Goldin",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-limited-edition-alpha-rare-black-lotus-cgc-ex54zdu",
   "status": "verified"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-08-03",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "9",
   "price_usd": 138401.68,
   "price": 138401.68,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Goldin",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-alpha-black-lotus9h54j",
   "status": "verified"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-05-30",
   "version": "Limited Edition Beta",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "8",
   "price_usd": 27500,
   "price": 27500,
   "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-black-lotus-limited-edition-beta-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7434-36008.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-05-04",
   "version": "Unlimited Edition",
   "grader": "PSA",
   "grade": "3",
   "price_usd": 7625,
   "price": 7625,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Goldin",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-unlimited-black-lotus-psa-vg-37vutd",
   "status": "verified"
  },
  {
   "date": "2024-04-29",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "CGC",
   "grade": "Pristine 10",
   "price_usd": 3000000,
   "price": 3000000,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": false,
   "venue": "Private sale reported by CGC Cards",
   "sale_type": "private",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://www.cgccards.uk/news/article/12859/",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2024-04-11",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha autographed copy",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9/Auto 10",
   "price_usd": 106251.25,
   "price": 106251.25,
   "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&ic10=OtherResults-ViewAll-071515&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering+Black+Lotus",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  },
  {
   "date": "2023-11-19",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "8",
   "price_usd": 66069.1,
   "price": 66069.1,
   "currency": "USD",
   "buyer_premium_included": true,
   "venue": "Goldin",
   "sale_type": "auction",
   "cert": null,
   "source_url": "https://goldin.co/auctions/1993-magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-alpha-bgs-nm-mt-8uq555",
   "status": "verified"
  },
  {
   "date": "2022-12-02",
   "version": "Limited Edition Alpha",
   "grader": "BGS",
   "grade": "9",
   "price_usd": 174000,
   "price": 174000,
   "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-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-bgs-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7291-36009.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "status": "cross_checked"
  }
 ],
 "graded_market_value_usd": null,
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "How much did a PSA 10 Alpha Black Lotus sell for most recently in the sources opened here?",
   "a": "A PSA Gem Mint 10 Alpha Black Lotus sold for $2,208,000 including buyer's premium at Goldin, reported by ICv2 on September 20, 2026.",
   "source_ids": [
    5
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "What is the highest documented Black Lotus sale in this record?",
   "a": "The highest documented sale in this record is a CGC Pristine 10 Alpha Black Lotus reported by CGC as a $3,000,000 private sale on April 29, 2024.",
   "source_ids": [
    4
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "How do I tell Alpha Black Lotus from Beta Black Lotus?",
   "a": "Alpha has the larger rounded corner cut, while Beta has the standard Magic corner radius; both are black-bordered and lack an expansion symbol.",
   "source_ids": [
    1,
    3
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "Is Alpha Black Lotus on the Reserved List?",
   "a": "Yes, Wizards' official Reprint Policy lists Black Lotus from Limited Edition as a Reserved Card.",
   "source_ids": [
    2
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "How many CGC Pristine 10 Alpha Black Lotus copies exist?",
   "a": "CGC stated that the sold CGC Pristine 10 Alpha Black Lotus was the only CGC Pristine 10 example in the CGC Cards Population Report as of April 2024.",
   "source_ids": [
    4
   ]
  },
  {
   "q": "Can I use Unlimited Black Lotus sales to price an Alpha copy?",
   "a": "No, Unlimited is a separate white-bordered printing and should not be merged with Alpha comps.",
   "source_ids": [
    1,
    3
   ]
  }
 ],
 "sources": [
  {
   "title": "Black Lotus - Limited Edition Alpha catalog page",
   "url": "https://mtg.wtf/card/lea/232/Black-Lotus",
   "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": "Black Lotus Graded CGC Pristine 10 Sells for $3 Million, Breaking Record!",
   "url": "https://www.cgccards.uk/news/article/12859/",
   "publisher": "CGC Cards"
  },
  {
   "title": "'Magic: The Gathering' PSA 10 Alpha Black Lotus Sells for Over $2.2 Million",
   "url": "https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/63421/magic-the-gathering-psa-10-alpha-black-lotus-sells-over-2-2-million",
   "publisher": "ICv2"
  },
  {
   "title": "Heritage Auctions Lot 36009: Alpha Black Lotus BGS Mint 9",
   "url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-bgs-trading-card-game-mint-9-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7291-36009.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "publisher": "Heritage Auctions"
  },
  {
   "title": "Heritage Auctions Lot 36002: Alpha Black Lotus CGC NM/Mint 8",
   "url": "https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/trading-cards/magic-the-gathering-black-lotus-limited-edition-alpha-cgc-trading-card-game-nm-mint-8-wizards-of-the-coast-1993-rare/a/7431-36002.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515",
   "publisher": "Heritage Auctions"
  },
  {
   "title": "Heritage Auctions search results: Black Lotus archive sales",
   "url": "https://comics.ha.com/c/search/results.zx?archive_state=5327&dept=1938&ic10=OtherResults-ViewAll-071515&mode=archive&sb=1&si=2&sold_status=1526&term=Magic+The+Gathering+Black+Lotus",
   "publisher": "Heritage Auctions"
  }
 ],
 "methodology": "https://cardvolume.com/methodology/",
 "cite_as": "Black Lotus (Limited Edition Alpha). CardVolume, https://cardvolume.com/magic/alpha/black-lotus/ (accessed 2026-11-11)."
}