Dark Zebra [1st Edition] #MRL-084

Dark Zebra [1st Edition] #MRL-084 collector guide

About Dark Zebra

Dark Zebra is an Effect Monster, printed as MRL-084 in Magic Ruler (2002) as a Common. It is a Level 4 EARTH Beast monster with 1,800 ATK and 400 DEF. Magic Ruler was the third English booster set and brought Pegasus's Toon cards into the game. Magic Cards were later renamed Spell Cards and the set was reprinted as Spell Ruler, so Magic Ruler copies are the original printing. Ungraded, this printing ranks 285th of the 321 Magic Ruler cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon at €223.11.

Character and collecting appeal

Beasts are one of the classic monster Types of the original series.

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 MRL-084. The code MRL-084, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRL-E084, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Magic Ruler has 3 other printings of Dark Zebra: MRL-084 (€0.66), MRL-E084 and MRL-E084 1st Edition (€3.45). 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 €0.22, a PSA 9 for €18.32 and a PSA 10 for €41.91. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 81%, and down 12% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €2.17 in February 2022, 90% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 12% over the same 12 months. Of the 3 printings of Dark Zebra we track, this one ranks 3rd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Magic Ruler MRL-E084 1st Edition at €3.45. Unusually, Unlimited copies currently sell for as much as or more than 1st Edition ones (€0.66 against €0.22).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 190.5× the ungraded price and 2.3× a PSA 9. That gap is small, so grading fees may outweigh the gain unless the card is for your own collection. 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: a price well below its February 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 (31 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 81% in a year. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €0.22 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €18.32. Ask the seller to show the code MRL-084, the "1st Edition" text and the Common finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. Cards from 2002 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.