Legendary Magic Rarities
Magic: The Gathering has intrigued players and collectors for over three decades with its rich lore and ever-growing library of cards. Among the tens of thousands printed, a select few have become legendary—either for their power or extreme rarity. Here are 20 rare cards you're truly lucky to see today.
1. Black Lotus (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited)
The Black Lotus card from Magic: The Gathering's Alpha set (1993) is the ultimate collector's prize. It costs nothing to play and grants three mana of any color, giving players a massive advantage. With only around 1,100 Alpha versions ever printed, it’s a rare gem that collectors dream of owning.
Overview of Epic pull Alpha Black Lotus! Openboosters! by openboosters
2. Ancestral Recall (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited)
This gem from the "Power Nine," Ancestral Recall, lets you or your opponent draw three cards for just one blue mana. Such an incredible card advantage for so little cost is almost unheard of in today’s gameplay. Like Black Lotus, it was printed in limited numbers, making it a highly coveted prize for collectors.
3. Shichifukujin Dragon (2003)
The Shichifukujin Dragon was printed as a promotional piece and never intended for competitive play, with only one confirmed copy in existence. Its uniqueness comes from its rarity and the cultural connection to Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin).
The MOST RAREST Cards in Magic the Gathering - The Holy Grails by E.N.D. The Collector
4. Mox Sapphire (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited)
This is one of the five Moxen—artifacts that cost zero mana and generate one mana of a specific color. Mox Sapphire specifically provides blue mana and was highly sought after in control-heavy decks. Like other Power Nine cards, it saw limited print runs.
5. Time Walk (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited)
Time Walk lets a player take an extra turn for just two mana, making it one of the most powerful cards. Part of the infamous Power Nine, it hails from the same early sets as Black Lotus. Due to its game-breaking potential, it's banned in nearly all formats and restricted in Vintage.
6. Library of Alexandria (Arabian Nights, 1993)
This iconic card from the Arabian Nights set, Library of Alexandria, was printed in limited numbers, with fewer than 20,000 copies estimated. By tapping it, a player can draw a card—but only if they have exactly seven cards in hand.
Spot The Fake Library of Alexandria MTG by HighNetworthNetwork
7. The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale (Legends, 1994)
The land card from the Legends set creates a massive tax on creature-heavy decks by requiring each player to pay one mana per creature during upkeep or sacrifice it. Its power to disrupt creature strategies makes it a sought-after card, with near-mint copies fetching $5,000 or more.
8. Chaos Orb (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited)
Chaos Orb is famous for its bizarre physical mechanic: you drop it from a height, and it destroys all cards it touches on the table. It’s one of the few cards that breaks the game's fourth wall and introduces a dexterity component.
The Story of CHAOS ORB and CHAOS CONFETTI by E.N.D. The Collector
9. Mox Jet (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited)
This is part of the five Moxen and produces black mana for zero cost. Mox Jet is an invaluable piece in fast-paced black decks. Due to its power and collectibility, Alpha versions can easily fetch over $20,000.
10. Shahrazad (Arabian Nights, 1993)
Shahrazad is arguably the strangest card in Magic history, both mechanically and thematically. When cast, it forces players to pause the main game and start a subgame of Magic using their existing decks. The loser of that subgame then loses half their life total in the original game.
11. Mox Pearl (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited)
Printed in 1993 with the Alpha set, fewer than 1,100 Alpha Mox Pearls exist, making them incredibly valuable. Its ability to accelerate gameplay and cast powerful white spells early made it a key component in fast combo or control decks.
Vintage Magic Reviews | Mox Sapphire/Jet/Pearl Beta Artist Proofs by Vintage MTG (Vintage Magic)
12. Candelabra of Tawnos (Antiquities, 1994)
Candelabra of Tawnos is a legendary artifact known for its combo potential, letting players untap lands by paying mana. Only printed in Antiquities, its low print volume and niche appeal helped turn it into a hidden gem among collectors.
13. Mox Ruby (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited)
The red member of the Power Nine, Mix Ruby, provides red mana at zero cost. This artifact is treasured by players who build fast, explosive decks centered around red spells or storm strategies. Like its Mox siblings, it was printed in extremely low numbers.
Mox Ruby Graded MTG Magic the Gathering by openboosters
14. Juzam Djinn (Arabian Nights, 1993)
Juzam Djinn was one of the most intimidating creatures during Magic’s early years—a 5/5 for just four mana, with only a minor drawback. Printed solely in the Arabian Nights set, its powerful stats and eerie artwork helped it earn a cult following.
$10,000++ Juzam Djinn PRISTINE BGS 10 MTG Old School Magic Review by Vintage MTG (Vintage Magic)
15. Mox Emerald (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited)
Even after 30+ years, few cards match the sheer prestige of owning a Mox. The card provides green mana for zero cost and completes the iconic Mox cycle. Its historic importance and stunning original artwork contribute to its legendary status.
Unlimited Mox Emerald Unboxing Power 9 CE Comparison Magic: The Gathering MTG by Gold is Magic
16. Underground Sea (Revised, Unlimited, Beta, Alpha, 1993–1994)
Underground Sea’s incredible synergy with many of Magic’s most powerful spells has made it a Legacy and Vintage staple. The Alpha version is especially rare, and near-mint Alpha copies often exceed $10,000 due to high demand.
Real Underground Sea - Fake Proxy Comparison Revised Magic MTG by Gold is Magic
17. Alpha Demonic Tutor (1993)
With Demonic Tutor, players search their library for any card and put it into their hand for just two mana—a powerful ability still referenced by modern spells. Its iconic status as one of the best tutors in Magic has never faded.
Most Iconic Card: Demonic Tutor by AlphaHoarder
18. Dragon Egg (Magic 2014, Commander, Jumpstart)
Dragon Egg is a flavorful and fun card originally printed in Magic 2014 Core Set. While not powerful by competitive standards, the card gained popularity in casual and Commander circles thanks to its synergy with sacrifice effects and token strategies.
It's Easter! It's Eggcellent! It's Temur Eggs? | 13 Rares/$40 | Explorer MTG Arena by The Infernoman
19. Imperial Seal (Portal Three Kingdoms, 1999)
With Imperial Seal, players can search their deck for any card and put it on top for just one black mana. Functionally similar to Vampiric Tutor, the card was originally only printed in Portal Three Kingdoms, a set released primarily in Asia.
How Low Will Imperial Seal Get in Price? [JAJAM Stream Cuts] #MTGFinance by Joel are Magic
20. Splendid Genesis (1997)
Fewer than 110 copies of Splendid Genesis are thought to exist, with most gifted to close friends, family, or staff at Wizards of the Coast. They rarely hit the market—and when they do, they can sell for over $10,000.
