Among the many cards released in Magic: The Gathering’s The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, there exists a rare and extremely valuable collection of cards called Box Toppers. These cards are exclusively found in special packs that come with every box of Tales of Middle-earth, as well as in Collector Booster packs.
This collection of cards, known as the Realms and Relics, represents regions and artifacts from Middle-earth, reinterpreted as reprints from past Magic cards. The most valuable of these Box Toppers are the Surge Foil editions, which are exceptionally rare, showing up in less than 1 percent of collector boosters. Let’s see which of these cards will set you back a dragon’s horde worth of gold to collect.
10 Henneth Annun - Reflecting Pool Surge Foil - $234.95
Hidden behind a waterfall in northern Ithilien of Gondor, Henneth Annun is a secret outpost used by Faramir and his rangers against the invading Orcs, Goblins, and other fell things from Mordor. At the bottom of the waterfall rests a gentle pool where the rangers ferociously defend from intruders.
Reflecting Pool is a popular Commander card to help fix your mana, especially in decks running three or more colors. Turning Reflecting Pool into Henneth Annun is a great choice, given the many interpretations of the artwork focusing on the serene pool.
9 The Party Tree / The Great Henge Surge Foil - $248.33
In the middle of the Party Tree in Hobbiton sits The Party Tree and the spot where Bilbo revealed he was leaving The Shire for the final time. Though Saruman, under the guise of Sharkey, would eventually cut it down, Sam replaces it with a rare golden Mallorn Tree, a gift from Galadriel.
Adapting The Great Henge into The Party Tree is great given the card has only had one printing back in Throne of Eldraine. The surge foil edition is worth a high amount, as well as the nonfoil versions, given how powerful the card is and how it slots into practically any Green Commander deck.
8 The Dead Marshes / Urborg, Tomb Of Yawgmoth Surge Foil - $279.65
A perfect adaptation for this tragic region of northern Mordor, Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth has been interpreted as The Dead Marshes. This haunted land was once a burial site for the Elves, Men, and Orcs who died during the Battle of Dagorlad, where the Army of the Last Alliance defeated Sauron.
Urborg is a staple in many black decks since its unique ability turns all lands on the battlefield into Swamps. Given the amount of ramp black decks that can accrue in Commander, it's no surprise that The Dead Marshes is on this list.
7 Bag End / Horizon Canopy Surge Foil - $299.99
Cozy doesn’t even begin to describe how comfortable Bag End looks in this card. A gently steaming cup of tea set out before a journal, a plush chair, and the gentle light of a late afternoon day.
Horizon Canopy fits as an interpretation of Bag End, since it's the starting point for so many adventures for characters in The Lord of the Rings. If you want to see the world you have to sacrifice the comforts of home, and coming back is never guaranteed.
6 Argonath, Pillars Of The Kings / The Ozolith Surge Foil - $299.99
Known as the Gate of Kings, the Argonath sits at the northern end of Gondor, overlooking the River Anduin. The two statues that tower over either side of the river are Isildur and his brother Anarion. Each statue holds an axe in its right hand, while its left is raised to deter enemies from entering.
Turning the Argonath into The Ozolith helps protect your team by redistributing counters across creatures you control. The real power of the card comes when combined with counter doublers like Doubling Season, which will trigger each time you move the counters.
5 Ring Of Barahir / Sword Of The Animist Surge Foil - $299.99
An ancient Elven relic originally owned by Galadriel’s brother, Finrod, it would eventually be passed down through the Kings of Númenor. Aragorn would inherit the ring before the events of the book, and use it as an engagement ring to Arwen.
When converting the Ring to a card, it became an adaptation of the Sword of the Animist, a powerful piece of equipment that helps ramp you up in basic lands. Even just a few hits from a creature equipped with the Ring of Barahir can put you miles ahead of your opponents.
4 Weathertop / Deserted Temple Surge Foil - $369.00
An ancient fortress atop a hill in the very center of Arnor, this is the lost kingdom of the Dúnedain that encompassed much of northern Eriador. It was here that Frodo was stabbed by a Morgul-knife when the Hobbits and Strider tried to make camp on their way to Rivendell.
It is fitting to have Weathertop take over the abilities of Deserted Temple, a relic of a forgotten time, whose true purpose is either lost or forgotten by time and the people who live there. Deserted Temple helps you reset your lands by untapping them, letting you activate abilities twice in a turn.
3 Glittering Caves Of Aglarond / Gemstone Caverns Surge Foil - $389.95
Behind the massive fortress of the Hornburg nestled in the valley of Helm’s Deep lies the jeweled caverns of the Aglarond. When the Deeping Wall was blown open and the Hornburg was breeched, the people of Rohan sought refuge from the Orcs in these caverns.
The Glittering Caves of Aglarond is brought to Magic as Gemstone Caverns, a strange and powerful mana fixer. If it’s in your opening hand, and you’re not the starting player, you can start the game with it on the battlefield, at the cost of exiling another card from your hand. Gemstone Caverns has been a staple in Magic for years, making this a valuable card for players.
2 Balin's Tomb / Ancient Tomb Surge Foil - $411.00
Once the shining crown of the Dwarven kingdoms, Moria would be taken after the Dwarves unknowingly woke a Balrog from its slumber as they mined for Mithril. Years later, Balin, one of the Dwarves who traveled with Bilbo in The Hobbit, lead a company to retake the mines.
Tragically, he would be killed while trying to take back the underground kingdom, shot in the back by an Orc. As Ancient Tomb, it is a somber tribute to one of the bravest Dwarves to ever venture into the mine.
1 Paths Of The Dead / Cavern Of Souls Surge Foil - $512.98
When Isildur called upon the Men of the Mountains to join him in the fight against Sauron after they had sworn an oath to fight, they refused and were cursed to never rest until their oath was fulfilled. Centuries passed and the Men of the Mountain became wraiths until Aragorn called upon them again to fight against Sauron.
Caverns of Souls is one of the strongest lands to be printed, letting you pick a creature type when it comes into play. Caverns of Souls then helps fix your mana for those creature spells and makes those creatures uncounterable. A staple for pretty much any deck that runs a typal theme, whether it be a Commander or Modern deck.