Gravekeeper's Spy [1st Edition] #PGD-059

Gravekeeper's Spy [1st Edition] #PGD-059 collector guide

About Gravekeeper's Spy

Gravekeeper's Spy is a Flip Effect Monster, whose effect happens when it is flipped face-up, printed as PGD-059 in Pharaonic Guardian (2003) as a Common. It is a Level 4 DARK Spellcaster monster with 1,200 ATK and 2,000 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 12th of the 216 Pharaonic Guardian cards we track. The top card is Ring of Destruction at €35.21.

Character and collecting appeal

Gravekeeper's monsters guard the Pharaoh's tomb and are built around the Field Spell Necrovalley. In play, it is a card for Special Summoning.

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-059. The code PGD-059, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as PGD-E059, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Pharaonic Guardian has one other printing of Gravekeeper's Spy: PGD-059 (€5.53). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly. It was also printed in Quarter Century Bonanza, which we track separately.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €8.44, a PSA 9 for €41.17 and a PSA 10 for €409.25. Our monthly prices for it go back to October 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 27%, and up 2% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €89.57 in May 2022, 91% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 14% over the same 12 months. Of the 4 printings of Gravekeeper's Spy we track, this one ranks 2nd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Quarter Century Bonanza RA03-EN121 Quarter Century Secret Rare at €24.76. 1st Edition copies sell for about 1.5× the Unlimited printing (€8.44 against €5.53).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 48.5× the ungraded price and 9.9× 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 27% in a year; 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; it is the original printing, which reprints rarely replace for collectors; an active market (25 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 €8.44 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €41.17. Ask the seller to show the code PGD-059, the "1st Edition" text and the Common 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.