Trading cards – to some people, they’re just pretty cardboard, to others, they’re a passion. From old baseball cards to competitive play, trading cards have come a long way from their humble beginnings of keeping someone’s cigarettes straight while in the box. As with all things, some cards are more valuable than others. Some can sell for a few bucks, while others can sell for millions, just like how a card was just sold for US$2 million to none other than Post Malone.
We’ve talked about how Wizards of the Coast released the special “One of One Ring”, a special print version of the One Ring card featured in their Lord of the Rings crossover, which is the only version of that card in existence. Many collectors want the special card to be the centrepiece of their collection and are willing to pay millions to have it, but the card was carefully placed in the hands of a simple, blue collar guy.
@brooktrafton LOOK WHAT I FOUND! LET’S GOOOO! #onering #oneofone #mtg #magic #mint #psa #card #magicthegathering #lordoftherings #trading #tradingcards #theonering #sauron #collector #edition #one #gandalf #tradingcardgame #ringofpower #mtgtiktok #mtgfam #mtgcommander #lotr
The man who made millions overnight was Brook Trafton, a humble Canadian cashier and forklift driver who decided to just buy a box of Magic: The Gathering’s LOTR Collector’s Box and cracked it open. Little did he realise that inside was the One of One Ring card. Seen in the video above is his genuine reaction to getting the special card; the gasp and the uncontrollable tremors say it all.
Of course, a card this special needs to be protected, so Trafton sent it to be graded. Grading is a special process where they encase the card in a thick acrylic slab, sealing it and preventing the damage that it would sustain over time. This process also gives it a grade that states its condition and how well the card has held up. Unfortunately, the One of One Ring scored a 9 out of 10 instead of a perfect score, but that didn’t stop buyers from making their offers.
@brooktrafton When I found the One Ring, the first person who came to mind was @Post Malone. I have played MTG since I was a kid and obviously it would be amazing to keep this card. But for a guy like me, being able to sell it is life changing. I just really hoped it would go to someone who would appreciate it as much as I do. This is my dream come true, meeting Post Malone and him buying the One Ring card from me is literally a moment straight out of a fairytale. Post Malone @Magic: The Gathering you have changed my life. Things like this don’t happen to people like me, I guess it’s magic. I am forever grateful 🙏 ✨ #postmalone #onering #oneofone #mtg #magic #mint #psa #card #magicthegathering #lordoftherings #trading #tradingcards #theonering #sauron #collector #edition #one #gandalf #tradingcardgame
However, despite all the tantalising offers made, Trafton made the choice of selling the card to none other than Post Malone, a longtime fan and seasoned Magic: The Gathering player. Malone bought the card for 2.6 million Canadian dollars (RM8,853,372.24) backstage. Overnight, Trafton’s life changed, and it all happened so fast and was nothing short of magic. Trafton, despite earning millions of dollars in an instant, stated that he will keep on working as a forklift driver and cashier because he genuinely enjoys his job and the money is a safety net for him.
