Mystic Lamp [1st Edition] #MRD-028

Mystic Lamp [1st Edition] #MRD-028 collector guide

About Mystic Lamp

Mystic Lamp is an Effect Monster, printed as MRD-028 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Short Print. It is a Level 1 DARK Spellcaster monster with 400 ATK and 300 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 120th 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. Roaring Ocean Snake mentions Mystic Lamp 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 MRD-028. The code MRD-028, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRD-E028, and are priced separately. It is the Short Print version. Short Prints look like Commons but were printed in smaller numbers. Metal Raiders has 3 other printings of Mystic Lamp: MRD-028 (€0.88), MRD-E028 (€1.49) and MRD-E028 1st Edition. 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 €4.12, a PSA 9 for €8.02 and a PSA 10 for €92.88. Our monthly prices for it go back to May 2022. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 13%, and up 15% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €5.50 in May 2022, 25% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 79% over the same 12 months. Of the 3 printings of Mystic Lamp we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Metal Raiders MRD-028 at €0.88. 1st Edition copies sell for about 4.7× the Unlimited printing (€4.12 against €0.88).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 22.5× the ungraded price and 11.6× 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: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 13% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (34 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €4.12 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €8.02. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-028, the "1st Edition" text and the Short Print 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.