Red-Eyes Black Dragon [Quarter Century Secret Rare] #RA03-EN081

Red-Eyes Black Dragon [Quarter Century Secret Rare] #RA03-EN081 collector guide

About Red-Eyes Black Dragon

Red-Eyes Black Dragon is a Normal Monster, with flavour text instead of an effect, printed as RA03-EN081 in Quarter Century Bonanza (2024) as a Quarter Century Secret Rare. It is a Level 7 DARK Dragon monster with 2,400 ATK and 2,000 DEF. At its Level it needs two Tributes to Normal Summon. 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 36th of the 968 Quarter Century Bonanza cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes White Dragon at €192.99.

Character and collecting appeal

Red-Eyes Black Dragon is Joey Wheeler's signature monster, which he wins from Rex Raptor in Duelist Kingdom. Weaker than Blue-Eyes but full of potential, it is one of the most collected dragons in the game. Normal Monsters like this one are mostly collected for their art and to complete the set. Black Skull Dragon and Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon mention Red-Eyes Black Dragon in their text, which keeps it relevant.

Version and identification

Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read RA03-EN081. RA03-EN081 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 one other printing of Red-Eyes Black Dragon: RA03-EN081 Platinum Secret Rare (€8.36). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly. It was also printed in Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon, which we track separately.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €35.38, a PSA 9 for €91.84 and a PSA 10 for €117.73. Our monthly prices for it go back to November 2024. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 467%, and flat in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €37.90 in November 2024, 7% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 8% over the same 12 months. Of the 4 printings of Red-Eyes Black Dragon we track, this one ranks 3rd by ungraded value. The most valuable is Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon LOB-070 1st Edition at €542.02.

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 3.3× the ungraded price and 1.3× a PSA 9. That gap is big enough that grading a sharp, well-centred copy can pay for itself. Even pack-fresh modern cards can have surface scratches or curling foil, so a 10 is never guaranteed.

Investment potential

In its favour: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 467% in a year; lasting fame from the anime or the competitive game; an active market (37 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: large modern print runs, which tend to cap prices unless a card becomes iconic; reprints in another set, which keep playable copies easy to find. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €35.38 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €91.84. Ask the seller to show the code RA03-EN081 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.