Five most expensive / hard to find foils from sets 1-10..

[MuadDib85]

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?

[ket_the_jet]

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 deck, four Hides in a deck) or in importance (a few copies of Simbelmyne appear in most decks, Terrible and Evil is a staple in a 6+ companion deck, and Hate is a common 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

[silver.telperion]

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).

[Not a Zombie]

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.

[ket_the_jet]

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

[MR. Lurtzy]

All of the rare rings.

[ket_the_jet]

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

[MR. Lurtzy]

It's utter nonsense to exclude them.

[ket_the_jet]

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

[ket_the_jet]

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

[Witchkingx5]

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 

[ket_the_jet]

I didn't miss Frodo, Courteous Halfling. I am acknowledging that he isn't a top 3 tier rare.
-wtk

[Witchkingx5]

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.

[ket_the_jet]

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 show up and put me in my place.
-wtk


* Unless denoted in my trade list. Check the link in my signature.

[ket_the_jet]

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