Musician Post Malone has brought the incredibly rare, one-of-a-kind "The One Ring" Magic: The Gathering card out of its protective casing and onto the battlefield. Malone, who reportedly paid $2 million for the serialized 001/001 card in August 2023, played it during a Commander match on a recent episode of The Command Zone’s Game Knights. High-value trading cards are typically kept graded and protected to preserve their condition, but Malone removed the card from its "obnoxious big block" to avoid "ruining game night."
The One Ring card originates from the 2023 Magic: The Gathering set The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. Wizards of the Coast produced only a single serialized 001/001 version of the card to mirror the unique artifact central to J.R.R. Tolkien's literary work. This extreme rarity immediately made it a highly sought-after collectible, with collectors actively searching for it since the set's release.
Canadian collector Brook Trafton discovered the unique card, had it authenticated and graded Mint 9 by PSA, and subsequently sold it to Malone for $2 million. Trafton stated that Malone was the first person he thought of when he found the card, expressing that while keeping it would be amazing, the sale was life-changing for him and he hoped it would go to someone who would appreciate it.
On the battlefield, Malone's copy of The One Ring functions identically to its more common counterparts. When it enters the battlefield, it grants the player protection from everything until their next turn. It can then be tapped to allow the player to draw cards, though this accrues burden counters that eventually cause life drain. The card's singular value stems from its 001/001 designation, confirming its status as the sole existing copy.
Magic: The Gathering has revisited Middle-earth since the release of Tales of Middle-earth, with a new set based on The Hobbit released on August 14. While this new set also features representations of The One Ring, Malone's serialized 001/001 card from the previous set remains unique. Malone's decision to use the card in a game suggests a commitment to experiencing its function beyond its status as a valuable collectible.