While many sellers pay closest attention to the flashy rares and big, meta-impacting game pieces, there is a secret hiding in bulk bins across the globe: valuable commons and uncommons. While less common (if you’ll excuse the pun), there are often a surprisingly high number of commons and uncommons in any given set that are worth $2 or more — this can add up very quickly, and is something you absolutely shouldn’t ignore.

Today, we’ll be looking at one of the most recent Magic: The Gathering releases, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. This set, the first full Universes Beyond crossover set in the game’s history, in particular is notable for a few big uncommon gems hiding in packs, with the most recognizable being the nine different variants of the Nazgul. Highly collectible, and with decks that want them wanting a full set of nine, these are among the most valuable uncommons in the game. There is, however, one more revealing uncommon that’s also worthwhile in the set.

As the first Universes Beyond set with a full booster release (as opposed to just special Commander decks), Tales of Middle-earth is already in a unique space. It’s filled with evocative cards pulled directly from The Lord of the Rings, with a little bit of spice thrown in from current Magic design and nods towards an increasingly diverse culture. For sellers, this translates directly to increased collectibility and therefore (potentially) increased profitability. Let’s look at all the Commons and Uncommons that are worth over $2 in Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth:

  1. Nazgul (0337)
  2. Nazgul (0339)
  3. Nazgul (0336)
  4. Nazgul (0338)
  5. Nazgul (0332)
  6. Nazgul (0335)
  7. Nazgul (0333)
  8. Nazgul (0100)
  9. Nazgul (0334)
  10. Lorien Revealed


While the full list is relatively short here, just The Nine and Lorien Revealed, it is important to note that the set is still quite new and has been opened into oblivion. At time of writing, the market is entirely oversaturated with LOTR singles and therefore the bulk commons and uncommons are largely just that: bulk. 

However, and it’s a big however, with a bit of time this could easily shift and there are some cards that are seeing play across multiple formats. The other cards in the Lorien Revealed cycle, like Troll of Khazad-Dum, may find their homes and Reprieve is a color pie bend that players are enjoying extensively already. Given a bit more time, I wouldn’t be surprised to see these and more creeping up in value, so don’t be afraid to hold on to your LOTR bulk for now.

Interested in selling these singles on TCGplayer? List your inventory. We’ve also attached a downloadable CSV of these commons and uncommons over $2 in Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. 

Download CSV