MTG PRINTING GUIDE
Mox Opal is not one of the five original Moxen. It is a legendary artifact from 2010 whose metalcraft condition makes the surrounding artifacts part of its identity. For collectors, the useful comparison is between Volkan Baga’s original jewel, Chris Rahn’s Kaladesh Invention and Martina Pilcerova’s Double Masters illustration. A premium frame and a new painting are separate decisions.
QUICK ANSWER
Mox Opal first appeared in Scars of Mirrodin (SOM), 1 October 2010. The original is SOM #179, at mythic, illustrated by Volkan Baga. Available original finishes: Nonfoil, traditional foil.
Printing records and official context reviewed . Use the shortlist for a physical-edition comparison and the explorer for current availability and format data.
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REPRESENTATIVE PRINTING
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RULES & FORMAT CONTEXT
Mox Opal costs {0} and can add one mana of any colour only while you control at least three artifacts, counting the Opal itself. Its colour identity is colourless: producing any colour does not add coloured mana symbols to its rules text.
As checked on 7 November 2026, current catalogue data lists Mox Opal as Modern-legal and Commander-legal. Older articles about its Modern ban are historical; use the current format-specific record and Wizards’ list rather than carrying an old status into a deck. The legend rule also prevents using a second Opal as a temporary third artifact before choosing which copy to keep.
PRINTING HISTORY
Scars of Mirrodin introduced #179 on 1 October 2010 as a mythic rare, with both nonfoil and traditional foil copies. This is the historical starting point; an older-looking frame elsewhere does not turn a later release into the original.
Modern Masters 2015 #223 retained Baga’s illustration. It is a distinct 2015 release with both finishes, so identifying the set symbol matters when a seller’s photograph shows familiar artwork. Double Masters #275 later supplied another regular-frame edition with that artist.
Kaladesh Inventions #19, released in 2016, moved to Chris Rahn’s artwork and the ornate Invention frame. It is foil-only. The 2019 Judge #3 instead credits Baga and has a legendary frame and Judge identity: it should not be confused with the Invention just because both are foil-only.
Double Masters #362 in 2020 introduced Pilcerova’s borderless image. Both nonfoil and traditional foil are catalogued. The box-topper presentation therefore does not, by itself, mean that every copy is foil. Later digital entries such as Arena Anthology 2 belong to their platform’s catalogue, not this physical shortlist.
PRINTING SHORTLIST
Selected physical editions; not every language, digital entry or minor reprint.
| Release / set | Collector number | Rarity | Artwork / treatment | Artist | Available finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scars of Mirrodin (2010) | SOM #179 | mythic | Original illustration; Mirran watermark | Volkan Baga | Nonfoil, traditional foil |
| Modern Masters 2015 (2015) | MM2 #223 | mythic | Original illustration in a later frame | Volkan Baga | Nonfoil, traditional foil |
| Kaladesh Inventions (2016) | MPS #19 | special | Invention frame and alternate artwork | Chris Rahn | Traditional foil only |
| Judge Gift Cards 2019 (2019) | J19 #3 | mythic | Judge promo; legendary frame | Volkan Baga | Traditional foil only |
| Double Masters (2020) | 2XM #275 | mythic | Regular-frame reprint | Volkan Baga | Nonfoil, traditional foil |
| Double Masters (2020) | 2XM #362 | mythic | Borderless box-topper illustration | Martina Pilcerova | Nonfoil, traditional foil |
Finish labels belong to the individual source record. An etched or textured treatment is not an extra finish invented for every edition. A missing price is unknown, not zero.
ARTWORK & FRAME COMPARISON
Compare SOM #179 with MM2 #223 and 2XM #275 to hold the original illustration broadly constant while checking edition and frame differences. Read the set and number together; neither the artist’s name nor a foil surface uniquely identifies a release.
MPS #19 and 2XM #362 are artist changes, not merely extra border options around Baga’s picture. Rahn’s Invention suits a Kaladesh-focused display; Pilcerova’s borderless image is a separate artistic direction. Do not describe the Invention as an etched printing: its verified finish is foil.
Our shortlist separates the 2019 Judge entry because promotional identity can matter independently of new artwork. Check an exact image before choosing it as an alternate-art purchase.
FOILS & SPECIAL TREATMENTS
For the debut in foil, use SOM #179 traditional foil. For a different physical presentation, compare MPS #19 foil with 2XM #362 foil. A nonfoil #362 also exists, allowing the illustration to be chosen without reflective treatment.
None of these selected records establishes a textured, serialized or etched Mox Opal. A finish offered for another card in a Masters product is not evidence for this one. Condition and real photographs remain important even when the catalogue establishes availability.
MANASCOUT RECOMMENDATIONS
Historical collection: begin with SOM #179, nonfoil or foil according to your preferred surface. MM2 #223 documents a later reprint rather than the original release.
Artwork-led choice: compare MPS #19 and 2XM #362 before comparing their prices. Our starting pair is the original nonfoil and the borderless nonfoil: that isolates the artistic change.
For a deck: compare exact condition, language and current offers. Pair this guide with Chrome Mox and Mox Diamond; their mana conditions and collecting histories are different.
ALL PRINTINGS / LIVE EXPLORER
Use the shared set, language and finish filters to inspect an exact printing. Cardmarket links are independent third-party destinations. Catalogue prices are live reference fields where available, not fixed GBP offers. The digital foil animation is illustrative, not a photograph of a physical finish.
SCOUT MORE
Mox Diamond — compare the related card’s own printing history and collector choices.
Chrome Mox — compare the related card’s own printing history and collector choices.
Lotus Petal — compare the related card’s own printing history and collector choices.
Sol Ring — compare the related card’s own printing history and collector choices.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL REVIEW
Reviewed . The linked exact-edition catalogue records support dates, artists, rarity and finish availability; official sources support product treatment and format context where cited. The live explorer retrieves current Scryfall data separately. This is a dated editorial selection, not a guarantee of stock, price or unchanged future legality.