Messenger of Peace [1st Edition] #MRL-102

Messenger of Peace [1st Edition] #MRL-102 collector guide

About Messenger of Peace

Messenger of Peace is a Continuous Spell Card, printed as MRL-102 in Magic Ruler (2002) as a Super Rare. 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 41st of the 321 Magic Ruler cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon at €223.11.

Character and collecting appeal

Its effect centres on destroying cards and stopping attacks.

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-102. The code MRL-102, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRL-E102, and are priced separately. It is the Super Rare version. Super Rares have holographic artwork and a plain name. Magic Ruler has 3 other printings of Messenger of Peace: MRL-102 (€3.51), MRL-E102 (€5.38) and MRL-E102 1st Edition (€4.76). 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 €9.56, a PSA 9 for €19.58 and a PSA 10 for €172.79. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 53%, and flat in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €13.37 in March 2023, 28% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 34% over the same 12 months. Of the 4 printings of Messenger of Peace we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Magic Ruler MRL-102 at €3.51. 1st Edition copies sell for about 2.7× the Unlimited printing (€9.56 against €3.51).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 18.1× the ungraded price and 8.8× 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 53% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (79 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €9.56 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €19.58. Ask the seller to show the code MRL-102, the "1st Edition" text and the Super Rare 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.