Shining Angel [1st Edition] #MRL-088

Shining Angel [1st Edition] #MRL-088 collector guide

About Shining Angel

Shining Angel is an Effect Monster, printed as MRL-088 in Magic Ruler (2002) as a Rare. It is a Level 4 LIGHT Fairy monster with 1,400 ATK and 800 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 160th of the 321 Magic Ruler cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon at €223.11.

Character and collecting appeal

Fairies are known for their light, angelic artwork and for cards that protect Life Points. Its effect centres on Special Summoning and 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 MRL-088. The code MRL-088, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRL-E088, and are priced separately. It is the Rare version. Rares have a silver-foil name and plain artwork. Magic Ruler has 3 other printings of Shining Angel: MRL-088 (€1.32), MRL-E088 (€2.53) and MRL-E088 1st Edition (€5.48). 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 €1.78, a PSA 9 for €22.29 and a PSA 10 for €231.82. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 29%, and down 25% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €5.39 in May 2022, 67% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 46% over the same 12 months. Of the 4 printings of Shining Angel we track, this one ranks 3rd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Magic Ruler MRL-E088 1st Edition at €5.48. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.3× the Unlimited printing (€1.78 against €1.32).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 130.2× the ungraded price and 10.4× 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 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 (36 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 29% in a year. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €1.78 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €22.29. Ask the seller to show the code MRL-088, the "1st Edition" text and the 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.