The Masked Beast [1st Edition] #LON-001

The Masked Beast [1st Edition] #LON-001 collector guide

About The Masked Beast

The Masked Beast is a Ritual Monster, summoned with its Ritual Spell and Tributes, printed as LON-001 in Labyrinth of Nightmare (2003) as an Ultra Rare. It is a Level 8 DARK Fiend monster with 3,200 ATK and 1,800 DEF. No monster in Labyrinth of Nightmare has more ATK. Labyrinth of Nightmare arrived in early 2003 and is best remembered for Torrential Tribute, Magic Cylinder, Gemini Elf and Dark Necrofear. Ungraded, this printing ranks 11th of the 331 Labyrinth of Nightmare cards we track. The top card is Torrential Tribute at €92.89.

Character and collecting appeal

Fiends are one of the largest Types in the game, home to many of its darker and more unusual designs. Its text names Curse of the Masked Beast, so collectors often look for them together. Curse of the Masked Beast mentions The Masked Beast 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 LON-001. The code LON-001, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as LON-E001, and are priced separately. It is the Ultra Rare version. Ultra Rares have a gold-foil name and holographic artwork. Labyrinth of Nightmare has 4 other printings of The Masked Beast: LON-001 (€6.93), LON-E001, LON-E001 1st Edition (€24.88) and LON-EN001. 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 €27.64, a PSA 9 for €121.27 and a PSA 10 for €913.95. Our monthly prices for it go back to November 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 39%, and down 11% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €57.96 in November 2021, 52% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 115% over the same 12 months. Of the 3 printings of The Masked Beast we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Labyrinth of Nightmare LON-001 at €6.93. 1st Edition copies sell for about 4× the Unlimited printing (€27.64 against €6.93).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 33.1× the ungraded price and 7.5× a PSA 9. That gap is big enough that grading a sharp, well-centred copy can pay for itself. Early English Yu-Gi-Oh! cards often have off-centre cuts and wear on the dark brown back borders, which is why high grades are hard to reach.

Investment potential

In its favour: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 39% in a year; a price well below its November 2021 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 (100 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €27.64 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €121.27. Ask the seller to show the code LON-001, 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.