To understand the immense potential of this card, we must start with a character appeal check . Shanks is not just a fan favorite; he is the foundational catalyst for the entire One Piece narrative. As the legendary pirate who inspired Luffy’s journey, his popularity is unmatched. Without diving into spoilers, Shanks remains an incredibly powerful, looming figure whose true capabilities are heavily tied to the final, epic stages of the story. In the TCG world, character hype translates directly to long-term value .
The card we are targeting hails from the highly anticipated Premium Booster 1 - The Best . Unlike standard mainline releases, this specialty set features a more limited print run, giving its contents an inherent premium. Looking at the broader market, the set as a whole is incredibly diverse and top-heavy, boasting a dazzling array of alternate arts, parallels, highly sought-after manga rares, and gorgeous gold DON!! cards that provide massive overall value to the product. This is also the very first of the special sets.
However, while many collectors simply don't have the funds to shell out thousands for elusive manga rares or hundreds for popular gold DON!! cards, there is a much smarter way to play the market. Our current goal is to find sub-$20 deals that boast high rarity and fantastic art but have temporarily been overshadowed. When a set is overflowing with high-end chase cards, spectacular mid-tier hits often get completely lost in the gold and mangas, creating the perfect buying window.
Enter the Shanks OP01-120 Secret Rare (SEC) Alternate Art . For investors and collectors who aren't looking to burn through hundreds of dollars on a single piece of cardboard, SEC alternate arts remain an incredibly solid option. They still feature tough pull rates, making them genuinely rare commodities. When you combine the inherent scarcity of an SEC alternate art with the pedigree of this premium set, this specific Shanks card stands out as a true hidden gem.
Let’s look at the hard data. The current market price for this card is hovering right around $16 . This represents a great buying opportunity, as it is currently down almost 50% from its recent high of $30 just a few months ago. According to TCGPlayer, the Near Mint raw quantity currently sits at a healthy 120+ listings, with a steady average sales volume of 2 to 3 copies per day. This indicates solid, consistent liquidity while still offering a great entry price.
Beyond the numbers, the aesthetic value here is absolutely undeniable. The artwork is illustrated by the incredibly talented artist "lack" , who brings a highly unique and striking style to the table—a style you might also recognize from their other stellar contributions to the One Piece TCG and Magic: The Gathering . The fierce, dynamic energy captured in this piece makes it, in my opinion, one of the absolute best Shanks artworks available in the current TCG series.
When you pull all these threads together, the investment thesis is crystal clear. We’ve seen other alternate art SEC singles hit 3-figure values in sets with far less quality. When you combine that historical market precedent with top-tier character appeal, a limited premium release, and stunning artwork, the Shanks OP01-120 SEC Alternate Art becomes an outstanding candidate for a long-term hold. It offers immense financial upside while providing an aesthetically pleasing bonus to your One Piece singles collection. Don't let the next big breakout card pass you by before the masses catch on. Make sure you are subscribed to receive exclusive TCG undervalued picks just like this and much more directly to your inbox. Head over to tcjournal.io today to stay ahead of the market and build a truly powerful portfolio!