Ancient Gear Ballista [Quarter Century Secret Rare] #RA03-EN046

Ancient Gear Ballista [Quarter Century Secret Rare] #RA03-EN046 collector guide

About Ancient Gear Ballista

Ancient Gear Ballista is a Link Monster, summoned from the Extra Deck using other monsters as Link Material, printed as RA03-EN046 in Quarter Century Bonanza (2024) as a Quarter Century Secret Rare. It is a EARTH Machine monster with 1,500 ATK. Quarter Century Bonanza, released in late 2024, mixes classic cards from the original series with modern staples, each in several rarities including Quarter Century Secret Rare and Platinum Secret Rare. Ungraded, this printing ranks 853rd of the 968 Quarter Century Bonanza cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes White Dragon at €192.99.

Character and collecting appeal

Machines range from early robots to modern archetypes, and the Type has a loyal following. Its effect centres on searching the Deck and destroying cards. Its once-per-turn limits are typical of modern card design. Its text names Geartown, so collectors often look for them together.

Version and identification

Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read RA03-EN046. RA03-EN046 is the English printing. Other languages use their own letters in place of EN, such as DE or FR, and are priced separately. It is the Quarter Century Secret Rare version. Quarter Century Secret Rares were introduced for the game's 25th anniversary. Quarter Century Bonanza has 6 other printings of Ancient Gear Ballista: RA03-EN046 Collector's Rare (€1.34), RA03-EN046 Platinum Secret Rare (€1.54), RA03-EN046 Secret Rare (€1.60), RA03-EN046 Super Rare (€0.07), RA03-EN046 Ultimate Rare (€0.07) and RA03-EN046 Ultra Rare (€1.13). 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 €0.17, a PSA 9 for €5.35 and a PSA 10 for €28.26. Our monthly prices for it go back to November 2024. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 96%, and flat in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €4.15 in November 2024, 96% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 42% over the same 12 months. Of the 7 printings of Ancient Gear Ballista we track, this one ranks 5th by ungraded value. The most valuable is Quarter Century Bonanza RA03-EN046 Secret Rare at €1.60.

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 166.2× the ungraded price and 5.3× a PSA 9. That gap is small, so grading fees may outweigh the gain unless the card is for your own collection. Even pack-fresh modern cards can have surface scratches or curling foil, so a 10 is never guaranteed.

Investment potential

In its favour: a price well below its November 2024 peak, which some collectors see as room to recover; an active market (25 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 96% in a year; large modern print runs, which tend to cap prices unless a card becomes iconic. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €0.17 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €5.35. Ask the seller to show the code RA03-EN046 and the Quarter Century Secret Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. Modern foils can be scratched or curled straight from the pack, so check the surface under a light if you plan to grade.

Card details and image from YGOPRODeck. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a trademark of Konami; Search Cards is not affiliated with Konami.