Alpha, the Master of Beasts [Ultimate Rare] #RA01-EN022

Alpha, the Master of Beasts [Ultimate 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 an Ultimate 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 388th 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 effect centres on 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 Ultimate Rare version. Ultimate Rares have embossed artwork, borders and card name. 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection has 6 other printings of Alpha, the Master of Beasts: RA01-EN022 Collector's Rare (€1.84), 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) 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 €1.33, a PSA 9 for €8.02 and a PSA 10 for €34.01. Our monthly prices for it go back to November 2023. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 7%, and flat in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €3.33 in November 2023, 60% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 3% over the same 12 months. Of the 7 printings of Alpha, the Master of Beasts we track, this one ranks 3rd 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 25.6× the ungraded price and 4.2× 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: a price well below its November 2023 peak, which some collectors see as room to recover; an active market (20 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 €1.33 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €8.02. Ask the seller to show the code RA01-EN022 and the Ultimate 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.