By MTG Analyst | January 19, 2026
In the ever-evolving world of Magic: The Gathering, few sets capture the imagination like Limited Edition Alpha (LEA), the black-bordered pioneer released on August 5, 1993. Printed in limited quantities (estimated 1,100 copies per rare card on average), Alpha kicked off the TCG phenomenon with 295 cards: 116 Rares, 95 Uncommons, 74 Commons, and 10 Basic Lands. No symbols marked rarity—players learned through sheet layouts—but these cards defined Vintage, Legacy, and collector culture.
As 2026 dawns amid Universes Beyond booms and digital proxies, Alpha’s market value has surged. A complete NM set now averages $210,924 on MTGGoldfish, up ~1% from last month, driven by grading hype (e.g., CGC Pristine 10 Black Lotus sales hitting $3M in 2024). Prices reflect TCGPlayer Mid/Market averages in Lightly Played to NM condition unless noted; expect 20-50% premiums for true Gem Mint graded copies.
The Power Nine: Alpha’s Crown Jewels
These nine broken artifacts and spells—restricted in Vintage—are Alpha’s holy grail. Here’s their 2026 pricing:
Interested in verifying prices or purchasing any of these highly sought after cards click here for eBay or the GOAT TCGPlayer.
| Card Name | Collector # | Rarity | Market Price (Avg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Lotus | 232 | Rare | $81,421 |
| Time Walk | 83 | Rare | $23,999.99 |
| Ancestral Recall | 47 | Rare | $22,000 |
| Mox Ruby | 224 | Rare | $19,999 |
| Timetwister | 84 | Rare | $11,549.99 |
| Mox Jet | 221 | Rare | $9,899.99 |
| Mox Sapphire | 226 | Rare | ~$12,000-$15,000 (est. from trends) |
| Mox Emerald | 220 | Rare | $6,155 |
| Mox Pearl | 223 | Rare | $6,049.99 |
Pro Tip: Black Lotus hit $149,999 at Card Kingdom for top copies; raw played copies dip to $50k+.
Original Dual Lands: Fetchless Fetchlands of Legacy
Alpha’s 10 duals remain format staples and investor favorites:
| Land | Collector # | Market Price |
|---|---|---|
| Underground Sea | 289 | $9,899.99 |
| Tropical Island | 286 | ~$9,000 |
| Tundra | 288 | ~$8,000 |
| Badlands | 277 | $5,719.99 |
| Bayou | 278 | $4,225 |
| Savannah | 284 | $3,555 |
| Scrubland | 285 | $2,500 |
| Plateau | 282 | $3,299.99 |
| Taiga | 287 | ~$3,500 (est.) |
| Volcanic Island | 290 | ~$4,500 (est.) |
Top 20 Most Expensive Non-Power Nine Cards
| Rank | Card | # | Rarity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berserk | 185 | Uncommon | $4,917 |
| 2 | Birds of Paradise | 186 | Rare | $3,999.99 |
| 3 | Chaos Orb | 235 | Rare | $5,500 |
| 4 | Copy Artifact | 53 | Rare | $5,012 |
| 5 | Braingeyser | 50 | Rare | $2,299 |
| 6 | Animate Wall | 1 | Rare | $1,468 |
| 7 | Bad Moon | 93 | Rare | $1,468 |
| 8 | Balance | 3 | Rare | $1,699 |
| 9 | Counterspell | 54 | Uncommon | $1,599 |
| 10 | Demonic Tutor | 97 | Uncommon | $2,249 |
| … | (Full top 50 on MTGStocks) |
Notable Commons & Uncommons (Budget Powerhouses)
Even “cheap” Alpha cards command premiums due to history:
| Card | Rarity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning Bolt | Common | $555 |
| Dark Ritual | Common | $300 |
| Swords to Plowshares | Uncommon | $2,209 |
| Sol Ring | Uncommon | $1,539 |
| Animate Dead | Uncommon | $725 |
Basic Lands average $50-$90 each (e.g., Island (A) #288 $89.99).
Full Alpha Card List Overview
Cards are collector-numbered 1-295, ordered roughly by white > blue > black > red > green > multicolored/artifacts/lands:
- #1 Animate Wall (Rare) to #45 Wrath of God (Rare): White
- #46 Air Elemental to #112 Volcarrency: Blue/Black
- And so on, ending with #286 Tropical Island to #295 Mountain.
For the exhaustive visual spoiler and oracle text, check Scryfall LEA. Full prices: MTGStocks Alpha, MTGGoldfish, TCGPlayer Guide.
2026 Outlook: With grading surges and Vintage demand, expect 10-20% appreciation. Grab played copies now—history waits for no one!
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