In June, a retail worker in Toronto had a life-changing moment when he discovered an ultra-rare trading card. “One Ring” is a one-of-a-kind card that was created for the tabletop fantasy card game Magic: The Gathering. Part of a collection celebrating The Lord of the Rings, it brings together two iconic fandoms, making it even more valuable. Brook Trafton, the man who found the card, initially chose to remain anonymous but has stepped forward now that One Ring has been purchased for over $2 million.
And who bought the card? Rapper Post Malone. Malone is known for his love of Magic: The Gathering and disclosed on The Howard Stern Show in 2022 that he'd previously spent $800,000 on a rare card. When it was revealed in June that One Ring had been found, collectors around the world started making bids, including a Spanish card reseller who offered €2 million.
But for Trafton, who was helped of PR and marketing firm Notable Group, he couldn't think of anyone better to own the card.
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“When I found the One Ring, the first person who came to mind was Post Malone,” Trafton explains on TikTok. “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.”
Malone invited Trafton to meet up with him while he was in Toronto for a concert. Their encounter also allowed Malone to see the card and hug the man who let it become part of his collection. Trafton said that Malone also looked through his entire Magic: The Gathering deck as the men bonded over their love of the game.
Prior to the sale, the card was graded and authenticated by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), leading experts in the field. Trafton told CBC that the card sold for $2.64 million, though the final numbers of what he'll pocket after taxes and fees is unclear. Still, this life-changing event hasn't altered Trafton's daily schedule. He's still working his regular shifts and plans to invest the money to help set himself up for the future.
A Toronto man found a the one-of-a-kind One Ring Magic card and went viral for sharing his shaky hand holding it on TikTok.
@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 ♬ original sound – Brook Trafton
Now, Post Malone has purchased it for $2.64 million and the two men recently met up.
@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 ♬ original sound – Brook Trafton
Brandon Tafton: TikTok
Post Malone: Instagram
h/t: [Complex]
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