Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Review

It began in 1996 with a book titled “A Game of Thrones.” It was the first book in George R.R. Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire. The book was a hit, and about 26 years later, the Game of Thrones universe is one of the most widely known fictional universes. And the legend continues with new card releases. Today we provide you with the Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary review.

It has garnered millions of readers, viewers, and followers. As expected, various brands have created collectibles and merchandise for the millions of Game of Thrones fans to show their fanship.

There are numerous Game of Thrones collectibles such as Game of Thrones Valyrian Steel Swords, replicas of Westeros and other locations, dragon eggs, and costumes & clothing.

However, cards are a more traditional avenue for collectors, and few of the above have garnered as much followership as Rittenhouse Game of Thrones cards. Rittenhouse released its Game of Thrones line of cards in 2012 and followed it up with new releases for each new season.

The Game Of Thrones TV Show

The television series Game of Thrones is based on George R.R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire series. As a result, Martins received several requests from producers looking to adapt his series for television.

Created for HBO by D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, Game of Thrones was a massive global success. It is set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos and boasts an extensive ensemble of casts.

There are three significant story arcs in Game of Thrones. The first considerable arc concerns the Iron Throne and the fight to sit on it. Another major story arc focuses on the descendant of the previous ruling dynasty on exile to Essos and their plot to reclaim the Iron Throne. The third major arc follows the Night Watch, an order meant to defend the realm.

The series was renowned for its captivating story, shocking twists, awe-inspiring acting, production values, and complex characters. As a result, it received 59 Primetime Emmy Awards, nine consecutive American Film Institute Awards, 3 Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation, five nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series, and a multitude of other awards. Its first episode aired in April 2011, and the final season concluded on May 19, 2019.

Game of Thrones changed the world’s perception towards adapting fantasy for television. Before Game of Thrones, people felt turning fantasies into successful TV hits was impossible. Game of Thrones changed that perception, and we have them to thank for the various fantasy adaptations we have today.

The books that started it all (get them on eBay)

Game Of Thrones Card Releases

The success of Game of Thrones-inspired tons of collectibles. Trading cards are a traditional avenue for collectors, and Game of Thrones trading cards are a very popular collectible.

Rittenhouse got the right to produce Game of Thrones cards and brought the hit show to the hobby in 2012 with the Rittenhouse Game of Thrones Season One trading cards. It was a hit with collectors, and Rittenhouse followed it with new releases for each season.

Rittenhouse isn’t a new name to the hobby and has already produced cards for several top shows such as Star Trek, Doctor Who, Umbrella Academy, and Twin Peaks.

Rittenhouse’s inaugural Game of Thrones release was a hit with collectors. It focused on just the right things, had an exciting variety of inserts, an impressive autograph checklist, and elegantly produced cards. This high-quality production attracted many followers, and they haven’t looked back since.

The Game of Thrones Card Game

A Game of Thrones: The Card Game is a collectible Living Card Game created by Fantasy Flight Games based on George R.R. Martin’s hit series, A Song of Ice and Fire. The game has won several awards, including two Origins Awards.

Living Card Games breaks away from the traditional card game models and offers an innovative fixed playing method. Among their innovations is dynamic gameplay, which allows new players to defeat veterans with extensive and expensive collections.

In the game, players pick any of Westeros’ great houses and fight for control of the Iron Throne. They make power plays, launch attacks against their opponents to thwart their strategies. Game of Thrones showcases devious plots, famous figures, and lethal engagements for two to six players. To assume the Iron Throne, you must conquer your adversaries in war, outthink them in court affairs, or rob their strength in the political sphere.

The Game of Thrones card game recreates the famous battle scenes (get it on Amazon)

Game of Thrones: The Card Game Second Edition

A Game of Thrones: The Card Game Second Edition allows you to fight for the Iron Throne in two different gameplay modes. Two players can join the entries to battle valiantly for the splendor of triumph in a duel, or multiple players can participate in a messy and vicious brawl, introducing additional levels of deceit and betrayals to the game. Players can play a four-participant battle with a solitary Core Set of A Game of Thrones: The Card Game Second Edition, but Players can enjoy a brawl with two or more Core Sets with up to six participants.

If you’re interested in learning how to play the game, our friends at Fantasy Flight Games have put together a very detailed guide here.

Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Review: The Details

The 2021 Rittenhouse Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary installment was released on June 16, 2021. Its 99 cards base set, inserts, and autograph cards took a comprehensive look at various characters from the popular series.

It includes autographs from Emilia Clarke (who hadn’t signed a card since the 2013 release), Conan Stevens, Sophie Turner, Mark Addy, Alfie Allen, and Jack Gleeson. Unfortunately, while its checklist was extensive, it couldn’t contain every character. Therefore, series 2 was released to fill in the gaps.

The second part is the 2021 Rittenhouse Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Series 2. Again, it highlights central characters and their evolution throughout the series. Its front features foil-stamping that fits together and backs puzzles with groups of nine cards.

Parallels for the base set are Copper (/199), Gold (/99), and Red (/50). There is also an Iron parallel set (/99) available only as a gift when you purchase a minimum of 20 cases.

Get a box of Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary on eBay.

Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Review Of Inserts

Rittenhouse’s 2020 Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Series 2 features various inserts. Its array of inserts includes the hit Inflections Expansion parallels, which is set to be a top chase.

• 3-D “Dictation” (Dragon Eggs)
• Artifex Metal(5 cards; #/25)
• Battles and Blood(11 cards)
• Gold Icons(5 cards)
• Iron Anniversary Metal Expressions(18 cards)
• Inflexions Expansion(24 cards)
• Inflexions Expansion Silver Parallel(24 cards; #/75); White Parallel (24 cards; #/50); Gold Parallel (24 cards; #/40); Red Parallel (24 cards; #/25).
• Laser Cut Expansion(27 cards)

Top chases include Quote Cards, Character Sketch Cards, Custom Relic Cards, and Scenic Sketch Cards.

Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Review Of Autographs

Keeping with Rittenhouse tradition, the 2021 Rittenhouse Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Series 2 has a wide variety of signers. Collectors would be pleased to know that autographs are available in various formats and styles drawn from Game of Thrones’ extensive run.

There are a variety of autographs designs such as Gold Signatures, Dual Autographs, and other designs such as Blue Border Autographs. There are also Relic Autograph Quote cards that make great hits. Costume Relics also features quote themes and offers collectors an extensive range of memorabilia.

Several autographed inserts, such as the premium all-new 3-D Dictation cards, offer collectors a look at dragon eggs. Meanwhile, a few inserts such as the Gold Icons, Metal Expressions, and Artifex are metal cards.

Autographs Card Signers include:

• Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen)
• Sean Bean (Ned Stark)
• Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth)
• Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark)
• Patrick Malahide (Balon Greyjoy)
• Conleth Hill (Lord Varys)
• Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon)
• Joe Dempsie (Gendry)
• Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane)
• Jonathan Pryce (High Sparrow)
• Isaac Hempstead-Wright (King Bran)
• Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy)
• Thomas Brodie Sangster (Jojen Reed)
• Hannah Murray (Gilly)
• Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister)
• Aidan Gillen (Littlefinger)
• Nikolaj Coster Waldau (Jaime Lannister)
• Rose Leslie (Ygritte)
• Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton)
• Paul Kaye (Thoros of Myr)
• Harry Grasby (Ned Umber)
• David Verrey (High Septon)
• Andy Beckwith (Rorge)

The big draw is the inclusion of Emilia Clarke autos (look for more of them on eBay)

Bonus Cards

2021 Rittenhouse Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Series 2 Bonus Cards include:

• Copper Parallel Base Cards (Numbered to 199 each)
• Gold Parallel Base Cards (Numbered to 99 each)
• Red Parallel Base Cards (Numbered to 50 each)
• One-of-a-Kind Base Set Printing Plate Cards
• 18 Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Metal Expressions Cards
• 5 Game of Thrones Artifex Metal Cards (Numbered to 25 each)
• 5 Game of Thrones Gold Icons Cards
• 11 Game of Thrones Battles and Blood Cards
• 27 Game of Thrones Laser Cut Expansion Cards
• Game of Thrones Inflexions Expansion Cards; Inflexions Silver Parallel Expansion Cards (#’d to 75); Gold Parallel Expansion Cards (#’d to 40); White Parallel Expansion Cards (#’d to 50); Red Parallel Expansion Cards (#’d to 25). 24 of each.
• 3-D “Dictation” Cards of the Dragon Eggs
• Character Sketch Cards featuring Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow, Khal Drogo, Tormund Giantsbane, and more
• Scenic Sketch Cards
• Costume Relic/Quote Cards featuring Robb Stark, Cersei Lannister, and Sansa Stark!

We love the Sansa Stark relics (look for Iron Anniversary relic cards on eBay)

Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Review: Hobby Box Breakdown

• 6 cards per pack
• 8 packs per box:
• 10 boxes per case
• Set size: 99 cards
• 2 Autographs
• At least 1 Inscription
• Price: $169.99 from the official Rittenhouse store.

Release Date: December 8, 2021

Rittenhouse offers a 20-Case Incentive: Game of Thrones: Iron Anniversary/Iron Parallel Base Card Set (99).

Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Review Of Value

Let’s look at previous Rittenhouse Game of Thrones releases to see how well they’ve performed.

Wax

Every one of the previous Rittenhouse Game of Thrones releases has reasonably held its value. However, there is no significant potential for profit on these releases. At least for now.

Singles

With a show that has lots of top characters and thousands of other characters, Rittenhouse ensured it focuses on autographs. So, let’s look at the top 10 most expensive Game of Thrones cards. Data is collected from eBay sales over the last three months.

Of course, these figures do not hold a candle to the most expensive sport trading cards. However, collectors are getting their money’s worth for about $100 on average for a box of 100 cards.

As always, the Mother of Dragons rules (look for her 2nd season autos on eBay)

Bottomline Of The Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Review

If you’re a fan of, what I believe, is the most incredible television show of all time, then definitely grab a box of this. Rittenhouse Game of Throne cards are exceptionally well produced and do justice to the fantastic series it showcases.

However, if you’re looking at this considering an investment for a quick ROI, I’d give this a soft pass. Soft because I expect this series to provide lucky investors with a solid return on investment. This and the fact that it’s an anniversary release bode well for both its box and single cards value going forward. Additionally, the Mother of Dragons is on the list of autographs again after several years of her signature missing.  However, there are better alternatives out there for a solid ROI.