In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, dice are the gatekeepers of destiny, determining the fate of adventurers with every roll. These humble yet pivotal polyhedral math rocks have shaped countless battles, quests, and moments of triumph and defeat.
Prepare yourselves as we embark on a journey to explore the world’s most expensive dice sets. You’ll be surprised to discover just how far some collectors will go to obtain these beautiful, and sometimes jaw-droppingly expensive, treasures.
What is the most expensive die in the world?
The most expensive die ever sold was a single d20 said to have been made in the 2nd century. It is a deep blue-green d20 with a distinct symbol carved into each of its faces.
This Roman glass gaming die sold at auction for $17,925 in December 2003.
It is unclear what this die was used for, and historians still aren’t certain what this d20 die did, but the ancient Romans enjoyed dice games. These included:
- Gambling and betting: although heavily regulated, there is said to have been a “gambling mania” in ancient Rome, in which members of the upper classes preferred to call themselves “dicers”.
- Tali: an ancient game similar to poker, though it is unlikely that the above d20 was used in this game, because Tali used a large die with only four marks (the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 6).
- Twelve Lines, Twelve Signs, Twelve Points, Twelve Writings: similar to backgammon, players had 15 pieces and placed them across a playing table divided into 3 horizontal lines with 12 spaces. Players would roll dice and the number it landed on determined how far their pieces could move.
There are lots of dice that have been recovered from the Roman era. Not just the world's most expensive d20 as shown above, but also the oldest d20 dice in the world.
What is the most expensive D&D dice set?
In the realm of D&D dice, where imagination meets craftmanship, luxury knows no bounds. You need a range of dice to play D&D, not just one single d20 or a set of d6! For more information, see our guide that explains what dice you need for DND.
One officially-released Dungeons & Dragons dice set stands out as the most allusive.
Sapphire 45th anniversary dice set: $300
The most expensive official D&D dice set is the sapphire anniversary dice set. This limited edition set, released in November 2019, consisted of only 1,974 numbered sets, making it a rare and sought-after treasure for dice goblins and dragons across the world. It retailed for $300.
Made of anodized aluminium, this set featured two d20s, one d12, two d10s, one d8, four d6s, and one d4. The d20 bears an inlaid lab-grown sapphire in the place of the twenty, and all other dice sport the classic D&D logo on the highest value of each die.
Not only that, but this dice set came with a custom dice box, dice tray, foldout card, sticker sheet, and a sequentially numbered collector’s card as proof of authenticity.
Solid 9ct gold dice set: £10,000+
Venturing into even more extravagant territory, Etsy is a haven for artisans selling bespoke dice. One seller offers a solid 9ct gold full set of D&D dice with a price tag exceeding £10,000.
Each face of the solid gold dice is filled with black enamel, creating a simple but striking contrast against the gold background. The set is available in three distinct colours: rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold.
Not stopping there, they also have an array of precious metal dice such as solid silver for sale.
What other expensive dice are there?
Dice come in lots of different shapes, sizes, and designs, and dice are made of different materials too. Join us as we explore the world of expensive dice:
Gucci dice set: £290.
A set of five d6 resin dice with a marble effect, presented within an eye-catching canvas case for £290.
Louis Vuitton dice set: £375.
A set of four translucent d6, presented with a leather and canvas pouch for £375.
Hermes d20 die: $5,850.
Of all the mainstream designer brands, Hermes rains supreme. In 2016, the renowned fashion house unveiled a limited edition d20 dice, a marvel in its own right. While details about this piece remain unclear, Intelligencer suggest a staggering price tag of $5,850.
D20 die made of meteorite: $200.
Crystal Caste, an innovator and manufacturer of metal and stone dice, took luxury to celestial heights when they released their d20 die made of real meteorite. Priced at $200, this piece offers an out-of-this-world experience for enthusiasts seeking to own a piece of the cosmos.
Solid gold skull d6 dice: £5,700.
Another seller on Etsy offers solid gold d6 skull dice adorned with hand-set diamonds for over £5,700. They are solid 14kt yellow gold dice with genuine diamonds, each weighing approximately 11.2g before diamond weight.
Impressively, the seller claims the dice roll fairly, and better yet, they come shipped in a gift box to maintain their allusiveness and prestige.
Why are DND dice so expensive?
DND dice can be very expensive due to the use of high-quality materials, intricate designs, or bespoke features such as custom numbering or logos. Some dice sets are made in limited manufacturing runs, such as the sapphire anniversary set. These factors often combine to create exquisite, collectible dice sets that come with a premium price tag.
Dice hold a special place in the hearts of collectors and tabletop gaming enthusiasts. But great D&D dice don't have to come at an exorbitant price, and that's where Dice Dragons can help. You don't need to steal a dragon's hoard or venture into countless dungeons to fund exceptional dice for your tabletop adventures.
If you're craving something more weighty and awe-inspiring, why not check out our metal dice sets? Treat yourself today!
