A complete set of all 126 cards from the North American English first-edition printing of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game release, one of around 10 sets featuring all cards in PSA 10 condition, will sell at Goldin later this month.
The set, a first-edition printing of Legend of Blue-Eyes White Dragon, is credited with introducing the world to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in 2002.
Often overshadowed by Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! has proven itself as a solid third option in recent years. The franchise has even surpassed MTG’s yearly revenue, reporting more than $2 billion in 2022, though still far behind Pokémon, which surpassed $11 billion the same year.
The most valuable Yu-Gi-Oh! card ever sold is a 2005 “Make-A-Wish Promo” card, which ended at more than $300,000 in a 2023 eBay auction.
However, the next most expensive Yu-Gi-Oh! card is a PSA 10 first-edition Blue-Eyes White Dragon, found in this set, one of which sold for $85,100 in 2020. PSA has graded 101 examples a PSA 10, most recently selling for $25,500 in August 2023.
The PSA set registry shows three complete PSA 10 sets, excluding “retired” sets which have since been presumably broken up. Past listings of complete PSA 10 sets reference the number of complete collections around 10.
In January 2024, a complete set sold for $95,000 via PWCC. Prior to that sale, another set fetched $69,000 in March 2023.
Goldin’s lot is currently at $37,820 (including buyer’s premium) with 12 days remaining at auction.
Last month, Goldin sold a complete PSA 10 set from the Pokémon 1999 first-edition set for $317,206.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.