Ancient Elf [1st Edition] #SDY-E022

Ancient Elf [1st Edition] #SDY-E022 collector guide

About Ancient Elf

Ancient Elf is a Normal Monster, with flavour text instead of an effect, printed as SDY-E022 in Starter Deck: Yugi (2002) as a Common. It is a Level 4 LIGHT Spellcaster monster with 1,450 ATK and 1,200 DEF. Starter Deck: Yugi was one of the two pre-built decks that launched the English game in 2002, built around the cards Yugi Muto plays in the anime, with Dark Magician at its centre.

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. Normal Monsters like this one are mostly collected for their art and to complete the set.

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 SDY-E022. The E in SDY-E022 marks the European English printing. The North American printing uses a code without the letter, sometimes with a different card number, and has its own prices. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Starter Deck: Yugi has 3 other printings of Ancient Elf: SDY-024 (€0.23), SDY-024 1st Edition (€6.36) and SDY-E022 (€1.78). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly. It was also printed in Metal Raiders, which we track separately.

Price history

There are no recent sales of this printing of Ancient Elf yet, so we cannot give it a value.

Investment potential

In its favour: 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. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Ask the seller to show the code SDY-E022, the "1st Edition" text and the Common 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.