Sakuretsu Armor [1st Edition] #DCR-102

Sakuretsu Armor [1st Edition] #DCR-102 collector guide

About Sakuretsu Armor

Sakuretsu Armor is a Normal Trap Card, printed as DCR-102 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 51st 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 destroying cards.

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-102. The code DCR-102, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as DCR-E102, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Dark Crisis has one other printing of Sakuretsu Armor: DCR-102 (€1.50). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly. It was also printed in Quarter Century Bonanza, which we track separately.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €2.44, a PSA 9 for €12.14 and a PSA 10 for €135.65. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 2%, and up 39% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €3.57 in December 2023, 32% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 15% over the same 12 months. Of the 4 printings of Sakuretsu Armor we track, this one ranks 3rd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Quarter Century Bonanza RA03-EN130 Quarter Century Secret Rare at €18.23. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.6× the Unlimited printing (€2.44 against €1.50).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 55.6× the ungraded price and 11.2× 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: it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; it is the original printing, which reprints rarely replace for collectors; an active market (25 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €2.44 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €12.14. Ask the seller to show the code DCR-102, 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.