Ancient Elf [1st Edition] #MRD-037

Ancient Elf [1st Edition] #MRD-037 collector guide

About Ancient Elf

Ancient Elf is a Normal Monster, with flavour text instead of an effect, printed as MRD-037 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Common. It is a Level 4 LIGHT Spellcaster monster with 1,450 ATK and 1,200 DEF. Metal Raiders was the second English booster set. It added Summoned Skull, Gate Guardian, Mirror Force and Change of Heart, and many of its cards shaped how the early game was played. Ungraded, this printing ranks 122nd of the 508 Metal Raiders cards we track. The top card is Gate Guardian at €301.65.

Character and collecting appeal

Spellcasters have been popular since Dark Magician, and the Type has some of the most sought-after artwork in the game. Normal Monsters like this one are mostly collected for their art and to complete the set.

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 MRD-037. The code MRD-037, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRD-E037, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Metal Raiders has 3 other printings of Ancient Elf: MRD-037 (€0.58), MRD-E037 (€1.48) and MRD-E037 1st Edition. Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly. It was also printed in Starter Deck: Yugi, which we track separately.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €4.10, a PSA 9 for €37.45 and a PSA 10 for €38.34. Our monthly prices for it go back to April 2022. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 102%, and up 4% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €5.33 in April 2026, 23% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved sideways over the same 12 months. Of the 6 printings of Ancient Elf we track, this one ranks 2nd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Starter Deck: Yugi SDY-024 1st Edition at €6.36. 1st Edition copies sell for about 7.1× the Unlimited printing (€4.10 against €0.58).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 9.4× the ungraded price and 1× a PSA 9. That gap is small, so grading fees may outweigh the gain unless the card is for your own collection. 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: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 102% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (38 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: reprints in another set, which keep playable copies easy to find. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €4.10 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €37.45. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-037, 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.