The Last Homely House

Middle-Earth => Bag End => Topic started by: MuadDib85 on March 05, 2010, 05:20:34 PM

Title: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: MuadDib85 on March 05, 2010, 05:20:34 PM
Besides promos and the foil rings, I am wondering what people think are the five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10 and what they are worth?

Also besides Wild Things Games on ebay are there any other places that auction complete foil sets regularly?

Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 05, 2010, 05:47:01 PM
In no particular order, Goblin Armory (foil), Simbelmyne (foil), Terrible and Evil (foil), Hides (foil), and Hate (foil) strike me as among the top five hardest to get. Mostly because they appear in nearly every version of their deck type either in quantity (i.e., four Goblin Armory in a [Moria] deck, four Hides in a [Dunland] deck) or in importance (a few copies of Simbelmyne appear in most [Rohan] decks, Terrible and Evil is a staple in a 6+ companion deck, and Hate is a common [Sauron] card).

I have seen foil versions of these cards go for between $10 and $25 USD ($25 being the outlier high price). About a year ago I paid $13 for a Goblin Armory (foil) and I was more than content with that. But I've been looking for two Goblin Armory foil and three Hate foils since Fellowship of the Ring came out.
-wtk

Edit: That wasn't meant to be an end-all, be-all list. But those are cards I would likely value near the top of a list. Again, want to remind everyone that I didn't put them in a particular order.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: silver.telperion on March 05, 2010, 06:51:22 PM
I found Elven bow (TT) foil extremely hard to find (especially for an uncommon).  Also, Baruk Khazad (not AI or misprint), Desert Lord, Simbelmyne, Hides, and Gollum Stinker foils were hard for me to find.  As for as most expensive: Simbelmyne, Morgal Gates, Aragorn's Bow, Double Shot, Legolas (G or DH).  This is just what comes to mind (I know some others have sold for alot including Hate, Hides, and PATHS).
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Not a Zombie on March 05, 2010, 06:52:56 PM
hmm, I like that as I have terrible and evil foil :)

I agree with Ket on the armory, hides, and simbelmyne, but I think Greenleaf foil would have to go there, along with gorns bow.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 05, 2010, 06:55:58 PM
Morgul Gates and Power According to His Stature were cards I completely forgot about. But I think the most glaring omission from my list was Double Shot.

MD: Basically, what rares are most valuable in decks? Because those are likely going to be the hard-to-get foils.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: MR. Lurtzy on March 05, 2010, 09:16:34 PM
All of the rare rings.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 05, 2010, 09:21:24 PM
Besides promos and the foil rings...
All of the rare rings.

I would post this on failblog.org, but then I would probably be the one getting the fail for posting a trading card game fan site blog.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: MR. Lurtzy on March 05, 2010, 09:37:27 PM
It's utter nonsense to exclude them.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 05, 2010, 09:42:55 PM
I think MD's point was that he understands that the Rings are going to be among the most valuable foils. And thus he was wondering what foils would qualify as most expensive.

Like said before, basically the most playable rares are going to be the most expensive foils. I would probably put Goblin Armory, Double Shot, Hides, and Simbelmyne in the top category with a nice subcategory following filled with the likes of:

Legolas, Greenleaf, Hate, Power According To His Stature, Terrible And Evil, Gandalf, Manager of Wizards, Aragorn's Bow, Morgul Gates, Orc Bowmen, Gollum, Stinker, Easterling Captain, Merry, Friend to Sam, Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver, Shelob, Her Ladyship, Anduril, Flame of the West, Morgul Brute, and Saved From the Fire.
Edit: Shame on me for forgetting Noble Leaders!

Coincidentally, these cards all fall in the "power rares" category. Again, not a conclusive, complete list, but a good representation.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 05, 2010, 09:47:51 PM
A third tier might include A Wizard Is Never Late, Servant of the Secret Fire, Gondor Bowmen, Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad, Cave Troll of Moria, Scourge of the Black Pit, They Stole It, Don't Look At Them, Goblin Swarms, Gandalf's Staff, The Shire Countryside, Eomer, Third Marshal of Riddermark, Firefoot, Legolas, Dauntless Hunter, Gimli, Feared Axeman, Preparations, Weapons of Isengard, Desert Lord, Eowyn's Sword, Dernhelm's Blade, Cirdan, the Shipwright, Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien, Treebeard, Keeper of the Watchwood, Grishnakh, Orc Captain, Blood Runs Chill, Merry, Swordthain, Grond, Hammer of the Underworld, and Castamir of Umbar.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Witchkingx5 on March 06, 2010, 11:49:41 AM
You missed Frodo, CH.

You know what I think is actually pretty remarkable? I have most of these cards but just Frodo, CH and WoBaS as foils  :( :(
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 06, 2010, 12:00:48 PM
I didn't miss Frodo, Courteous Halfling. I am acknowledging that he isn't a top 3 tier rare.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Witchkingx5 on March 06, 2010, 12:04:44 PM
He's not? I think he's one of the best (if not the best!) Frodo ever!

But maybe you're right, I mean, Hobbit Stealth is also great, but getting it is... pretty easy, though.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 06, 2010, 12:10:22 PM
As for my foils of said versions, I have a few of these cards decked.

Tier One:
Goblin Armory (foil) x2
Simbelmyne (foil)

Tier Two:
Hate
Terrible And Evil
Morgul Gates
Easterling Captain
Gollum, Stinker
Saved From the Fire x4

Tier Three:
They Stole It x2
Firefoot
Gimli, Feared Axeman
Preparations x2
Grishnakh, Orc Captain x3
Eowyn's Sword, Dernhelm's Blade
Cirdan, the Shipwright
Blood Runs Chill x2

I included a few that I have acquired in trades for my brother's deck. And none of these are for trade*. Just wanted to brag for a big until Steve, Colin, or a few others (http://lotrtcgdb.com/forums/index.php/topic,384.0.html) show up and put me in my place.
-wtk


* Unless denoted in my trade list. Check the link in my signature.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 06, 2010, 12:12:25 PM
He's not? I think he's one of the best (if not the best!) Frodo ever!

I wouldn't put any copy of Sam or Frodo in the top three tiers. The reason being that, while each has their merits (sort of...), the popularity of Alternate Ring-Bearers devalues foil Ring-Bearers.

For what it is worth, I have a foil Frodo, Old Bilbo's Heir. And I always will think he is the best version of Frodo in Movie Block (maybe behind Frodo, Resolute Hobbit).
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Cw0rk on March 06, 2010, 12:25:19 PM
I would consider A wizard is never late to be worth more than Eowyn's Sword, DB foil.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 06, 2010, 12:30:27 PM
Ah. A Wizard Is Never Late...I forgot that one. That and the blade are probably tier three. I would put Anduril, Flame of the West on tier two as well.

Like I've said, not a complete list, but I've edited it a bit as I've gone along.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: sharkey on March 06, 2010, 03:56:24 PM
A wizard is never late is a huge one.

Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Cw0rk on March 06, 2010, 04:25:51 PM
Anyone knows what are the probabilities of finding a foil, a C foil, a U foil or a R foil in a pack? I mean... if the probabilities of finding a U foil are as high as finding a R foil, I would say Ulaire Enquea, LoM foil should worth more than Eowyn's Sword, DB foil.

Did someone mention Grima, WT foil? I'm pretty sure it has a decent value.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: legolas3333 on March 07, 2010, 12:57:43 AM
I'm 99 percent sure you are more likely to get a C/U foil as opposed to a rare foil, in my last 3 booster boxes, 3 rare foils 16 C/U foils
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ununtrium on March 07, 2010, 02:49:57 AM
I remember pulling usually 1 rare foil and 5-6 uncommon/common foils. Considering 1 rare foil corresponds to 36 regular rares - and should therefore be 36 times more valuable - only very few of the foils come close to holding their value.

Also, it is not really the monetary value that makes many of them hard to get, but the personal value placed on them by the people holding on to them. Foil distribution in movie block was/is so absurd, making the foils so scattered that it is REALLY hard and time-consuming to collect a set.

My top five are:
Be Back Soon (foil)   
Alliance Reforged (foil)     
No Retreat (foil)   
Rest by Blind Night (foil)   
Simbelmynë (foil)

Guess which sets I am still trying to complete....
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Elessar's Socks on March 07, 2010, 03:22:44 AM
I realize these picks all come from FotR, but hopefully that's not a bad place to start:

Aragorn, Ranger of the North
Arwen, Daughter of Elrond
Double Shot
Goblin Armory
Legolas, Greenleaf

As for personal value, I'd probably value my Goblin Runner foil (pulled from a pack) above my FoU foil (bought directly). The Runner came with another foil that had gotten my attention, and suddenly it was like... why is his armor catching the light? :lol:
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: OneFathom on March 10, 2010, 07:49:18 AM
Goblin Runner (foil)...what a beast!  What about the most valuable common/uncommon foils?  Here's my prelim list:

1.  The One Ring, The Ruling Ring (foil)...All versions
2.  Goblin Runner (foil)
3.  Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul (foil)
4.  Captured By The Ring (foil)
5.  Elven Bow (foil)...both FOTR and TT versions

6.  Eomer's Spear (foil)
7.  Goblin Scavengers (foil)
8.  Goblin Scimitar (foil)
9.  Morgul Destroyer (foil)
10.  Ranger's Sword (foil)

Thoughts???
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 10, 2010, 08:49:51 AM
I don't know about Ranger's Sword. I've cycled a few of those in and out in my day.

Your top five is definitely on point.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: OneFathom on March 10, 2010, 09:03:20 AM
I don't know about Ranger's Sword. I've cycled a few of those in and out in my day.

Your top five is definitely on point.
-wtk

No on the Ranger's Sword (foil), huh?

What about We Must Have It (foil) or Forearmed (foil)?
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: veBu on March 10, 2010, 09:11:45 AM
Probably not the most valuable common/uncommon foils out there but I think these C/U foils have been most hard for me to find

!1U178 Goblin Runner (foil)
!1U231 Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul (foil)
!4U36 War Club (foil)
!4U62 Elven Bow (http://lotrtcgdb.com/pages/LOTR04062.html) (foil)
!4U263 Brego (foil)

!1C41 Elven Bow (http://lotrtcgdb.com/pages/LOTR01041.html) (foil)
!1C179 Goblin Scavengers (foil)
!1C180 Goblin Scimitar (foil)
!4C83 Supporting Fire (foil)   
!7C53 Captured By The Ring (foil)
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: OneFathom on March 10, 2010, 09:15:10 AM
Probably not the most valuable common/uncommon foils out there but I think these C/U foils have been most hard for me to find

1U178 Goblin Runner (foil)
1U231 Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul (foil)
4U36 War Club (foil)
4U62 Elven Bow (foil)
4U263 Brego (foil)

1C41 Elven Bow (foil)
1C179 Goblin Scavengers (foil)
1C180 Goblin Scimitar (foil)
4C83 Supporting Fire (foil)   
7C53 Captured By The Ring (foil)

VeBu:

Just found this the other day on ebay...maybe it will interest you:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390164232870&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: veBu on March 10, 2010, 09:22:57 AM
VeBu:

Just found this the other day on ebay...maybe it will interest you:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390164232870&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thanks for the link Colin but I already have playset of all these "hard to find" cards :)
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 10, 2010, 09:28:22 AM
Well, I've been looking for a Gondor Bow (foil) for quite a long time...I would think that would be top 10 worthy.

Red Wrath and Whirling Strike would probably be top-20 but one of the two of them could make a solid push for top-10 considerations.

Sam, Son of Hamfast (foil) has to be up there just based on his universality.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: dchahin on March 10, 2010, 01:08:58 PM
I've never understood the value of foils. Personally I find some foiled cards don't look as well as non foiled.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Yanko Markovic on March 10, 2010, 02:26:06 PM
I personally don't care, though foils sometimes do look great.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Elessar's Socks on March 10, 2010, 02:54:05 PM
For me, the few I actually get have to do with curiosity mixed in with the ooh factor. For example, I have a fondness for twinkling points of light so I wanted to see (from ST1E) something like Decius (http://www.open-cards.com/uct/res/st1e/au/st1e-en02122.jpg) (ship lights and stars) and U.S.S. Enterprise-C (http://www.open-cards.com/uct/res/st1e/au/st1e-en02116.jpg) with my own eyes. Maybe someone can confirm it, but I think Tower of Barad-dur has the same effect.

Though one was just for the humor value - Hobbit Farmer and his radioactive pig.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 10, 2010, 08:38:09 PM
I've never understood the value of foils. Personally I find some foiled cards don't look as well as non foiled.
To me, it is a point of pride. It has also kept me in the game longer. I mean, to say that I have a great [Moria] deck, for example, is nice...four Goblin Armory, etc... But when you say, "I have this badass [Moria] deck with four foil Goblin Armory," well, gamers are impressed. On record, I only have two foil Goblin Armory.

I have a fondness for twinkling points of light

On the "cool lighting effect foils" conversation, Edoras Hall is all sorts of badass.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Gil-Estel on March 10, 2010, 11:52:29 PM
It has all to do with collectebility....foils are more rare than 'ordinary' cards and thus people tend to collect it. I have a foil MoM set, which I collected myself, instead of buying it for cheap, haha.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Witchkingx5 on March 11, 2010, 09:24:38 AM
On the "cool lighting effect foils" conversation, Edoras Hall is all sorts of badass.
-wtk

Have you ever seen Hornburg Hall (foil)? This one's awesome too!  ;)
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: rubbercarp on March 22, 2010, 10:05:55 AM
I always felt that sites made some of the best foils (visually).
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Witchkingx5 on March 22, 2010, 12:19:14 PM
Actually, they are cus' the whole picture is much bigger than a picture of a usual card, even if Frodo, Courteous Halfling (foil) looks pretty awesome.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Sam, Great Elf Warrior on March 22, 2010, 04:23:07 PM
I always felt that sites made some of the best foils (visually).
Also, you only need one of each site, so one foil of a given site is enough. Not to mention that they generally stay in play longer than most cards.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ket_the_jet on March 22, 2010, 04:35:00 PM
I always felt that sites made some of the best foils (visually).

Maybe I'll scan a few full foil site paths (sites 1-9K from a few decks). Rubbercarp is right and a lot of the reasons mentioned are correct--wider sample area of a picture that is often more scenic in general makes for a great foil.

Some of my favorites, as per a conversation over here (http://lotrtcgdb.com/forums/index.php/topic,2839.0.html), are (in no particular order):
Morgulduin
Northern Ithilien
Edoras Hall
Pelennor Plain

Of course, I am only thinking King Block because that is what I most often see. Of course there are some great ones from Towers and Fellowship.
-wtk
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ununtrium on March 23, 2010, 01:06:22 PM
sites are very nice, i agree.

Come to think of it, is it not quite pointless to have a foil ring? It always stays beneath the ring bearer so it is hardly ever seen in action...

If I had not collected the sets, I would certainly not have gone for the foiled versions of the rings.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: rubbercarp on March 23, 2010, 01:56:13 PM

Come to think of it, is it not quite pointless to have a foil ring? It always stays beneath the ring bearer so it is hardly ever seen in action...

That's a pretty good point !
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Witchkingx5 on March 27, 2010, 01:01:34 PM

Come to think of it, is it not quite pointless to have a foil ring? It always stays beneath the ring bearer so it is hardly ever seen in action...

That's a pretty good point !

But it looks very well in your folder!
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: legolas3333 on March 27, 2010, 01:08:01 PM
sites are very nice, i agree.

Come to think of it, is it not quite pointless to have a foil ring? It always stays beneath the ring bearer so it is hardly ever seen in action...

If I had not collected the sets, I would certainly not have gone for the foiled versions of the rings.

unless... you are playing one of those decks that kills frodo on purpose to get to sam, I.e. a Sam, GEW deck with merry, pippin, bilbo, etc. then you would see it for like 3 seconds when you move it.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Sam, Great Elf Warrior on March 27, 2010, 01:47:39 PM
Come to think of it, is it not quite pointless to have a foil ring? It always stays beneath the ring bearer so it is hardly ever seen in action...
The way my cousins and I play it, we keep the Ring to the left of the Ring-bearer (like another companion) and only put it under him when he's wearing it.
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ununtrium on March 28, 2010, 04:05:59 AM
The way my cousins and I play it, we keep the Ring to the left of the Ring-bearer (like another companion) and only put it under him when he's wearing it.

That is actually quite a neat and practical way to do things. 
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: legolas3333 on March 28, 2010, 07:07:04 AM
that's like how i stack daddy twofoot, the gaffer, master gardener and frodo gamgee on top of each other to make a 1,1,1 companion
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: ununtrium on March 29, 2010, 10:05:48 AM
:)
Title: Re: Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..
Post by: Elessar's Socks on March 29, 2010, 10:37:20 AM
that's like how i stack daddy twofoot, the gaffer, master gardener and frodo gamgee on top of each other to make a 1,1,1 companion
I've always wanted a set of cards that revolved around Not Yet Vanquished:

Sam, Bearer of Frodo
Frodo, Bearer of Gollum
Gollum, Bearer of the One Ring
The One Ring, Nuisance to Sam

But it seems the decktype would collapse under any sort of Shadow interference. :-k