Alpha, the Master of Beasts [Collector's Rare] #RA01-EN022

Alpha, the Master of Beasts [Collector's Rare] #RA01-EN022 collector guide

About Alpha, the Master of Beasts

Alpha, the Master of Beasts is an Effect Monster, printed as RA01-EN022 in 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection (2023) as a Collector's Rare. It is a Level 8 EARTH Beast monster with 3,000 ATK and 2,500 DEF. Its ATK is the 2nd highest of the 49 monsters in the set. 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection marked the game's 25th anniversary in 2023 by reprinting popular cards, each in several rarities up to the Quarter Century Secret Rare. Ungraded, this printing ranks 297th of the 587 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection cards we track. The top card is Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion at €51.83.

Character and collecting appeal

Beasts are one of the classic monster Types of the original series. Its text is about Special Summoning, stopping attacks and returning cards to the hand or Deck. Its once-per-turn limits are typical of modern card design. It cannot be Normal Summoned, so it has to be brought out by its own conditions.

Version and identification

Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read RA01-EN022. RA01-EN022 is the English printing. Other languages use their own letters in place of EN, such as DE or FR, and are priced separately. It is the Collector's Rare version. Collector's Rares have a textured holographic finish over the artwork and frame. 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection has 6 other printings of Alpha, the Master of Beasts: RA01-EN022 Platinum Secret Rare (€0.18), RA01-EN022 Quarter Century Secret Rare (€2.33), RA01-EN022 Secret Rare (€0.17), RA01-EN022 Super Rare (€1.32), RA01-EN022 Ultimate Rare (€1.33) and RA01-EN022 Ultra Rare (€0.88). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €1.84, a PSA 9 for €9.13 and a PSA 10 for €19.92. Our monthly prices for it go back to November 2023. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 21%, and flat in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €3.01 in December 2023, 39% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 55% over the same 12 months. Of the 7 printings of Alpha, the Master of Beasts we track, this one ranks 2nd by ungraded value. The most valuable is 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection RA01-EN022 Quarter Century Secret Rare at €2.33.

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 10.8× the ungraded price and 2.2× a PSA 9. That gap is small, so grading fees may outweigh the gain unless the card is for your own collection. Even pack-fresh modern cards can have surface scratches or curling foil, so a 10 is never guaranteed.

Investment potential

In its favour: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 21% in a year; an active market (25 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: large modern print runs, which tend to cap prices unless a card becomes iconic. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €1.84 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €9.13. Ask the seller to show the code RA01-EN022 and the Collector's Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. Modern foils can be scratched or curled straight from the pack, so check the surface under a light if you plan to grade.

Card details and image from YGOPRODeck. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a trademark of Konami; Search Cards is not affiliated with Konami.