A Deal with Dark Ruler [1st Edition] #DCR-030

A Deal with Dark Ruler [1st Edition] #DCR-030 collector guide

About A Deal with Dark Ruler

A Deal with Dark Ruler is a Quick-Play Spell Card, printed as DCR-030 in Dark Crisis (2003) as a Common. Dark Crisis closed out 2003 with cards such as Exodia Necross, Vampire Lord and Skull Archfiend of Lightning. Ungraded, this printing ranks 74th of the 216 Dark Crisis cards we track. The top card is Contract with the Abyss at €53.55.

Character and collecting appeal

Its effect centres on Special Summoning. Its text names Berserk Dragon, so collectors often look for them together. Berserk Dragon mentions A Deal with Dark Ruler in its text, which keeps it relevant.

Version and identification

This guide covers the 1st Edition printing. The words "1st Edition" are printed below the artwork on the left; copies without them are the Unlimited printing and usually sell for less. Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read DCR-030. The code DCR-030, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as DCR-E030, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Dark Crisis has one other printing of A Deal with Dark Ruler: DCR-030 (€0.69). 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 €1.11, a PSA 9 for €8.02 and a PSA 10 for €76.14. Our monthly prices for it go back to March 2022. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 35%, and flat in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €2.67 in November 2022, 58% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 13% over the same 12 months. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.6× the Unlimited printing (€1.11 against €0.69).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 68.6× the ungraded price and 9.5× a PSA 9. That gap is big enough that grading a sharp, well-centred copy can pay for itself. On cards from the early 2000s, the dark brown backs show every scuff and white edge, so top grades are scarce.

Investment potential

In its favour: a price well below its November 2022 peak, which some collectors see as room to recover; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (25 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 35% in a year. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €1.11 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 DCR-030, the "1st Edition" text and the Common finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. Cards from 2003 often show white wear on the back edges and corners, so ask for photos of the back before you buy.

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