Up for auction is a CGC GEM MINT 10 graded Counterspell from the 1996 Magic: The Gathering Japanese Fourth Edition — also known as the Foreign Black Border (FBB) printing — authenticated and graded by Certified Guaranty Company (CGC). The card is printed in Japanese.

Counterspell is one of the most iconic and historically significant cards in all of Magic: The Gathering. A 2-mana blue instant that simply reads "Counter target spell," Counterspell has defined the game's blue control archetype since the very beginning — appearing in the original Alpha set in 1993 and remaining a staple of competitive and casual play for decades. Its simple, elegant design has made it a symbol of blue magic and a benchmark against which all other counterspells are measured. Counterspell was a fixture of competitive formats for years before eventually being deemed too efficient for Standard, cementing its legacy as one of the most powerful cards in the game's history.

The Japanese Fourth Edition, released in 1996, is part of the Foreign Black Border (FBB) series — a group of non-English printings of Magic: The Gathering core sets that feature the distinctive black border rather than the white border used on English 4th Edition cards. FBB printings are significantly more collectible than their white-border English counterparts, as the black border is associated with the original Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited sets and is considered more aesthetically desirable by collectors. Japanese FBB cards in particular are highly sought after by vintage MTG collectors worldwide.

Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) is one of the most respected third-party grading companies in the trading card industry. CGC evaluates cards on a 10-point scale across centering, corners, edges, and surface quality, then seals each graded card in a tamper-evident protective case. A grade of GEM MINT 10 from CGC represents the highest standard grade — a card that is virtually flawless, with perfect or near-perfect centering, sharp corners, clean edges, and a pristine surface.

The card pictured is the exact card you will receive. It will be shipped safely and securely. We do not offer discounted shipping — please bid accordingly. Please feel free to contact us with any questions — additional pictures are available upon request. Please also check us out on MarylandTCG.com.