Black Lotus

The Black Lotus is the most valuable normally printed card in the game of Magic printed in a standard set. Due to its fast mana acceleration, it is also a member of the Power Nine, nine notoriously powerful cards from the original Magic print runs.

Description

Printed as one of the Power Nine only in Alpha, Beta and Unlimited, this artifact can provide a free mana boost for any deck. It is restricted in Vintage and banned in Legacy. Christopher Rush drew its original artwork.

Originally, Magic did not limit the number of copies of a card you could play in a deck; this allowed first-turn wins with decks comprised of twenty Black Lotus, twenty Channel, and twenty Fireball. The four-of maximum was quickly added to the rules to avoid this, and Black Lotus and Channel were later restricted or banned in their environments to make this even less likely.

Price development

On February 27th, 2019, a "Gem Mint 9.5 grade" Beckett Grading Services graded Alpha Black Lotus was bought on eBay for a record $166,100. On January 27, 2021, a "Gem Mint 10 grade" was sold for $511,100. Two years later, a similar specimen was sold for $540,000.

In 2022, Post Malone paid $800,000 for a Black Lotus, signed by Christopher Rush. In 2024, an Alpha Black Lotus with a "Pristine 10" grade from CGC was reportedly sold for $3,000,000.

Storyline

Black lotuses have appeared in numerous Magic storyline arcs. A black lotus, House Carthalion's most powerful relic, was discovered by a young Adam Carthalion and was kept in House Scarlet in Arathoxia. Jared Carthalion stole it after the Mistress of House Scarlet let him in and showed it to him, and later used it to summon a Shivan Dragon to kill Ravidel at Castle Melmereth.

Black lotuses were reportedly grown on Tolaria, in the Lotus Vale, though this is difficult to substantiate as later information makes no mention of them.

The wizard Towser found a few black lotuses in the area of Whispering Woods.

Trivia

• The smuggling of rare "black lotuses" was alluded to in the computer game Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn.
• Black Lotus is also featured as a card in the Japanese TCG Duel Masters, which is likewise published by Wizards of the Coast.
• Garth One-Eye can create a copy of Black Lotus.
• While programmed into Magic: The Gathering Arena, players cannot craft their own Black Lotus.

In-game references

As one of the most famous cards of all time, the Black Lotus has inspired numerous cards with names, art, and abilities that reference it in some way. While these cards are less powerful and more balanced than Black Lotus, some of them have been banned or restricted in Vintage format.

Gallery

• 
  Original illustration for Alpha by Christopher Rush
• 
  1996 Pin depicting the Black Lotus, with case.
• 
  1996 Pin in case.
• 
  2023 Gatherers' Tavern Black Lotus Relief Sculpture.
• 
  2023 IconMint Collector coin
• 
  Illustration for Vintage Masters by Chris Rahn
• 
  2023 Jeweled Lotus desk light (Ambassador Program)
• 
  Pinfinity pin and lanyard
• 
  Oracle of the Alpha avatar with the Power Nine for Magic: The Gathering Arena.

References