Shinato, King of a Higher Plane [1st Edition] #DCR-016

Shinato, King of a Higher Plane [1st Edition] #DCR-016 collector guide

About Shinato, King of a Higher Plane

Shinato, King of a Higher Plane is a Ritual Monster, summoned with its Ritual Spell and Tributes, printed as DCR-016 in Dark Crisis (2003) as an Ultra Rare. It is a Level 8 LIGHT Fairy monster with 3,300 ATK and 3,000 DEF. Its ATK is the 2nd highest of the 59 monsters in the set. Dark Crisis closed out 2003 with cards such as Exodia Necross, Vampire Lord and Skull Archfiend of Lightning. Ungraded, this printing ranks 14th of the 216 Dark Crisis cards we track. The top card is Contract with the Abyss at €53.55.

Character and collecting appeal

Fairies are known for their light, angelic artwork and for cards that protect Life Points. In play, it is a card for destroying cards and dealing damage. Its text names Shinato's Ark, so collectors often look for them together. Shinato's Ark mentions Shinato, King of a Higher Plane 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-016. The code DCR-016, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as DCR-E016, and are priced separately. It is the Ultra Rare version. Ultra Rares have a gold-foil name and holographic artwork. Dark Crisis has one other printing of Shinato, King of a Higher Plane: DCR-016 (€8.35). 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 €14.27, a PSA 9 for €87.81 and a PSA 10 for €307.69. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 31%, and up 9% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €26.74 in May 2024, 47% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 26% over the same 12 months. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.7× the Unlimited printing (€14.27 against €8.35).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 21.6× the ungraded price and 3.5× 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 May 2024 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 (85 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 31% in a year. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €14.27 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €87.81. Ask the seller to show the code DCR-016, the "1st Edition" text and the Ultra Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. At this price fakes are worth checking for: genuine cards have a small holographic seal (the Eye of Anubis) in the bottom-right corner, and the font, colours and card back should match a copy you know is genuine. Look up the certificate number of any graded copy on the grading company's website. 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.