AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a vintage trading card featuring the character Anavias from the 'Dark Sun' campaign setting of Dungeons & Dragons, produced by TSR, Inc. in 1993. The card measures approximately 2.5 by 3.5 inches and is printed on standard cardstock. It features a portrait of a female warrior with a headband, set against a desert-toned gold background, bordered by a black frame. The 'Dark Sun' logo is prominently displayed at the top, along with 'Trading Cards' text. At the bottom right is a circular icon depicting a knight's profile, and the name 'Anavias' is printed at the bottom left. The artwork reflects the gritty, brutal aesthetic typical of the Dark Sun setting, with rich earth tones and sharp ink work. The card is currently housed in a clear protective plastic binder sleeve, which appears to have kept it in good condition. Visible edges seem relatively sharp with minimal whitening, though slight surface reflections from the plastic sleeve are present. This item belongs to the second series of TSR's collector cards, which were distributed in foil packs and are now popular among retro RPG collectors.

I have examined the 1993 TSR Dark Sun Series 2 card #118, 'Anavias.' Judging from the provided image, the card appears to be in Near Mint (NM) condition. The corners show sharp definition, and the black borders—notorious for showing chips and 'whitening'—appear crisp. The centering is historically accurate for TSR's 1993 production run, and the surface gloss is well-preserved within its protective sleeve. Authenticity is supported by the correct typeface for the Dark Sun logo and the specific ink saturation characteristic of TSR’s early 90s printing process. Market demand for TSR trading cards has seen a resurgence among Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts and retro RPG collectors. However, unlike the 1991 'Silver Border' series, the 1993 Series 2 (Gold/Black) was produced in higher volumes. Rare 'chase' cards or gold-foil parallels command high premiums, but standard character cards like Anavias remain accessible. Recent secondary market sales for individual common/uncommon cards from this set typically range between $3 and $5, with high-quality specimens reaching $8-10 to the right collector. While this digital inspection suggests a high-grade specimen, physical examination is required to verify the absence of micro-creasing, surface indentations, or 'wax stains' often found on cards from foil packs. To establish definitive value and authenticity, I would need to perform a 'light test' to check cardstock opacity and use 10x magnification to examine the four-color offset printing rosette pattern. Any evidence of trimming or chemical cleaning would significantly diminish these estimated values.