I just checked the latest PSA 10 prices, and honestly? I'm stunned. As of April 23, 2026, we're seeing some truly wild disparities in the promo market, especially when you compare the supposed "hot" new Scarlet & Violet cards to some older SM Black Star Promos. Everyone's always chasing the newest shiny thing, right? But what if I told you that chasing some of those older, often overlooked SM promos is actually a better long-term play than many of the current Scarlet & Violet darlings? I've been in this game for over 15 years, buying, selling, and grading hundreds of thousands of cards. And the data, my friends, doesn't lie. If you're looking for that solid ROI, sometimes you gotta look backward to move forward. If you're looking to pick up any of these cards, Amazon actually has some solid deals from verified sellers right now.

Why Promos? And Why SM Over SV (For Now)?

Here's the thing about promos: their supply mechanics are often entirely different from main set cards. They come from specific events, boxes, or retail promotions, which can lead to incredibly skewed population reports down the line. We've talked about this before in our post, SWSH & SM Promos: Comparing the Grade 10 Population of 15 Key Cards Amidst Market Shifts. Scarlet & Violet promos, while cool, often have a *ton* of supply, or they're so new that their population reports haven't fully matured. This means it's harder to pinpoint true scarcity. The SM era, however, is a sweet spot – old enough for populations to stabilize, but new enough that the cards are still highly desirable. Look, I'm not saying all SV promos are bad investments. We've even highlighted some gems in Unveiling the 7 Most Overlooked Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos. But today, I want to zero in on three SM promos that, based on current market trends and what I've seen in pop reports from PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), are crushing new SV singles in long-term ROI.

The SM Promo Powerhouses Outperforming New SV Bling

Zygarde-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

This card. Whew. When I first saw Zygarde-GX listed as a promo, I thought, "okay, just another GX." But boy, was I wrong. Finding this one with good centering and no print lines is an absolute nightmare. I submitted a batch to PSA last quarter, had high hopes, and only one out of five came back a 10. The PSA 10 value? A staggering $9999.00 right now. Compare that to many SV ex cards which are still sitting at a fraction of that in a 10. View full price history for Zygarde-GX on CardStat.pro

Naganadel-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Another absolute banger from the SM Black Star Promos. The Naganadel-GX promo is just another example of how an often-overlooked Pokémon can become a monster investment when it's a tough grade. This card was available around the same time as some others, but its specific release mechanism, I believe, led to fewer pristine copies reaching the market. Its PSA 10 value is also at $9999.00. That's not just luck; that's scarcity meeting demand for top-tier condition. View full price history for Naganadel-GX on CardStat.pro

Thundurus-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Rounding out our top three is Thundurus-GX. Again, we're talking about an SM Black Star Promo that's hitting that elusive $9999.00 PSA 10 value. What makes these SM Promos so special compared to, say, a brand new Dudunsparce ex (Journey Together) or even a Melmetal ex (Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos) that's still struggling to reach those heights? It's the perfect storm of age, initial distribution methods, and the sheer difficulty of pulling a perfect 10. View full price history for Thundurus-GX on CardStat.pro

Comparing to Modern Promos: Why the Gap?

Let's take a look at the Melmetal ex (Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos) as a counter-example. While its PSA 10 value is also listed at $9999.00 (indicative of very high value and often a low population when the market hasn't fully settled or sales are infrequent at that price point), its *market average* is still "N/A" for a 10. This signals a few things: either it's too new for consistent sales data, or the actual market for a raw copy is nowhere near that. This card came from a relatively easy-to-obtain box, and I've seen these sell at local card shows for a fraction of that listed value when ungraded. The pop report on a card like Melmetal ex is likely to swell significantly over time. For an even starker contrast, consider the Dudunsparce ex (Journey Together). While a neat card, its PSA 10 value is also $9999.00 but with an "N/A" market average. It's too early to tell if this will have the long-term staying power of the SM Promos. The grading challenges, the limited initial print runs, and the historical lack of hype around some of these SM Pokémon during their release cycle likely contributed to relatively few people sending large quantities to PSA back in the day. That's a critical difference. For more insights on why some cards perform better than others, check out our post on 7 Black Star Promos Under $50 From SM, SWSH, and SV That Outperformed Slabs Pricier Than Gold.

Grading Strategy for Promos: It's a Different Beast

Grading promos requires an even sharper eye than grading main set cards. Why? Because distributors and The Pokémon Company often handle them differently. They might be packed looser, leading to edge wear. Foiling on promos can be more susceptible to surface scratches. When I'm evaluating a raw promo, I'm looking for: * Centering: This is a beast on promos. Many are notoriously off-center. * Surface Quality: Holo bleed, print lines, and tiny indentations are common. * Corners & Edges: Often damaged during packaging or shipping of whatever product bundle they came in. My advice? Don't buy raw promos sight unseen. Always ask for detailed photos of the front and back, preferably against a dark background to highlight any edge whitening or surface flaws. This meticulous approach is how you identify potential PSA 10s that will actually hit. For more detailed insights, you can always check our card database for specific card details. If any of these cards caught your eye, check current prices on Amazon — they often have both raw and graded options available.

The Bottom Line & A Word of Caution

Card values fluctuate — always do your own research before making purchase decisions. Not every card will appreciate, and grading isn't guaranteed. But based on current data and my years of experience, these specific SM Black Star Promos like Zygarde-GX, Naganadel-GX, and Thundurus-GX present a compelling long-term investment opportunity. Their historical scarcity in top grades, and current high PSA 10 values, make them standout choices compared to many contemporary Scarlet & Violet singles whose market hasn't fully matured. My actionable advice for 2026? If you can find raw copies of these SM promos in pristine condition, get them graded. If you find a PSA 9 at a good price, consider if the pop report jump to a 10 justifies the crack-and-re-submit risk (though I'm usually against cracking graded cards, some pop reports make it a calculated gamble). Explore our latest market insights for more strategies. What are your thoughts on SM Promos vs. SV singles? Let me know in the comments below! If you've got questions or want to dig deeper into specific cards, or even just want to chat about market trends, don't hesitate to reach out. You can also explore more about our team of analysts and our methodology here at CardStat.pro.