Don Zaloog [1st Edition] #PGD-029

Don Zaloog [1st Edition] #PGD-029 collector guide

About Don Zaloog

Don Zaloog is an Effect Monster, printed as PGD-029 in Pharaonic Guardian (2003) as an Ultra Rare. It is a Level 4 DARK Warrior monster with 1,400 ATK and 1,500 DEF. Pharaonic Guardian is the Ancient Egypt-themed set of 2003 that brought the Gravekeeper's monsters and Necrovalley, alongside cards such as Ring of Destruction and Don Zaloog. Ungraded, this printing ranks 5th of the 216 Pharaonic Guardian cards we track, one of the chase cards of the set. The top card is Ring of Destruction at €35.21.

Character and collecting appeal

Warriors are one of the oldest and largest Types, and have had support in almost every era of the game. In play, it is a card for dealing damage, sending cards to the Graveyard and discarding. Dark Scorpion Combination and Mustering of the Dark Scorpions mention Don Zaloog in their 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 PGD-029. The code PGD-029, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as PGD-E029, and are priced separately. It is the Ultra Rare version. Ultra Rares have a gold-foil name and holographic artwork. Pharaonic Guardian has one other printing of Don Zaloog: PGD-029 (€6.68). 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 €17.63, a PSA 9 for €71.78 and a PSA 10 for €437.13. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 75%, and up 30% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €25.40 in February 2022, 31% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 79% over the same 12 months. 1st Edition copies sell for about 2.6× the Unlimited printing (€17.63 against €6.68).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 24.8× the ungraded price and 6.1× 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 75% in a year; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (76 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €17.63 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €71.78. Ask the seller to show the code PGD-029, the "1st Edition" text and the Ultra Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. At this price fakes are worth checking for: genuine cards have a small holographic seal (the Eye of Anubis) in the bottom-right corner, and the font, colours and card back should match a copy you know is genuine. Look up the certificate number of any graded copy on the grading company's website. Cards from 2003 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.