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.
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?)...
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...:facepalm:
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.
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.
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.
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
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EllE:
Because she's the hero standard deserves, but not the one it needs right now... and so we'll chase her... because she can take it... because she's not a hero... she's a silent guardian
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.
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
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Current Fallen Angel (Anson Maddocks art) Count:449!!!
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)
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.
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.
As far as icons go, I have friends who know zip about magic the gathering. Zero. Nothing. But they do know about Black Lotus for some reason.
O_o??
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Started playing since Invasion, stopped at Scourge. Returned briefly during BoK's introduction of ninjas. Finally back into magic during Shadowmoor/Eventide.
Currently Running Bant Control and a homebrew Blightning Echoes for Type 2.
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.
Spam Infraction.
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?)...
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...:facepalm:
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.
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.
Craw Wurm?
Uh...what? I don't see where you would get that. I believe Black Lotus wins.
Quotes in blog.
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.
EllE:
heh. yeah i've know lots of people who collected craw wurms.
picts or it didn't happen
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)
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.
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
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.
O_o??
Currently Running Bant Control and a homebrew Blightning Echoes for Type 2.
It happened. (Not photoshopped)
Come to the blue side, we have cookies!
I wouldnt call that thousands of craw wurms wallpapering the wall....and please...of course that is photoshopped.