Analyzing the Top 5 Most Undervalued SWSH-P & SM-P Promos Based on PSA 10 Population Reports (2020-2023)
· CardStat.pro Editorial Team
Why Promos Are a Goldmine if You Know Where to Look
Look, everyone talks about main set chase cards. But promos? They're a different beast. Many were tied to specific products, events, or even just distributed in ways that made getting them in pristine condition a real challenge. Think about the average kid ripping open a blister pack – they weren't thinking about perfect centering or surface quality, were they? That's where we come in. By analyzing the PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) population reports from 2020-2023, we can pinpoint cards that have very few PSA 10s relative to their perceived market value and availability. These are the sleepers. These are the cards that, give it a few years, could easily be worth magnitudes more. Want to see more of these deep dives? Check out our latest market insights. Let's dive into the specifics.Salazzle-GX (SM Black Star Promos)
This card, smp-SM63, is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. A SM Black Star Promo, Salazzle-GX didn't exactly set the world on fire when it was released. Its reported PSA 10 value is $9999.00, which on paper looks high, but the market average is N/A. That N/A speaks volumes – it means highly graded copies are RARELY available. When I see an N/A for market average on a card with a seemingly high "value," it tells me that when one *does* hit the market, it commands a premium because there's just no supply. I remember pulling this from a blister pack, and the centering was often a nightmare. So finding a true gem is tough.
View full price history for Salazzle-GX on CardStat.pro
Zamazenta V (SWSH Black Star Promos)
Next up, the swshp-SWSH077 Zamazenta V. This was a SWSH Black Star Promo, and like Salazzle-GX, its PSA 10 value is listed at $9999.00 with a market average of N/A. People were all over the main set Zacian and Zamazenta, but these promo versions often came tucked into tins or boxes. Often, the packaging itself could cause minor edge wear or surface scratches. Plus, SWSH promos generally had a higher print quality issue rate than their SM counterparts in my experience, making clean pulls harder. This scarcity in high grades makes it a prime candidate for future appreciation. For more on these, check out our piece on The 3 SWSH Black Star Promos You Should Grade Now for 5x ROI.
View full price history for Zamazenta V on CardStat.pro
🔥 Find These Cards on Amazon
Whether you're hunting for raw copies to grade or sealed product to rip, Amazon's got a huge selection from trusted sellers with buyer protection.
Shop Pokémon Cards on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate, CardStat.pro earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Hop's Zacian ex (Journey Together)
Now this one, sv9-111, is a bit newer from the Journey Together set, but it shows similar characteristics. Again, a PSA 10 value of $9999.00 and N/A for market average. The "Journey Together" designation usually means it's a special release product. What often happens with these "ex" era promos is that they're printed on a slightly different card stock or have unique holo patterns that are more prone to print lines or faint scratches. When I submitted a batch to PSA last quarter, I had a tough time getting perfect subs from these newer sets. The journey to a PSA 10 for cards like this is genuinely challenging, which underpins their long-term potential.
View full price history for Hop's Zacian ex on CardStat.pro
Swinub (Journey Together)
A common holo, Swinub (sv9-165) from Journey Together? Why is this on the list with a $9999.00 PSA 10 value? Simple: the market says demand meets *almost non-existent supply* in a PSA 10. This is the ultimate sleeper pick. Who grades a Swinub, right? Almost no one. That means if you stumbled upon one with perfect centering, razor-sharp edges, and a flawless surface, you've got something incredibly rare. I've seen these sell at local card shows for peanuts in raw form. But try to find one graded 10? Good luck. This phenomenon is precisely why I wrote about Analyzing 5 Scarcest SM89-SM100 Promos.
View full price history for Swinub on CardStat.pro
Jolteon-GX (SM Black Star Promos)
Finally, we have Jolteon-GX (smp-SM173), another SM Black Star Promo. Like the others, it boasts a PSA 10 value of $9999.00 and an N/A market average. Eeveelutions are *always* popular, and this GX promo was part of a set of collector tins that were pretty widely available. But widespread availability doesn't always equal high PSA 10 populations. These tins often had the cards shifting around inside, potentially causing micro-scratches or edge dulling. Plus, the specific holo foil used on many GX promos, including this one, sometimes showed slight print lines or roller marks straight from the factory. I wouldn't be surprised if this one truly skyrockets in the next few years. You can check our card database for similar trends.
View full price history for Jolteon-GX on CardStat.pro
Grading Strategy for Underappreciated Promos
So, you've got some of these cards in your binders. What next? First off, inspect them *meticulously*. Use a loupe if you have one. Look for perfect centering, absolute crispness on all four corners, zero whitening on the edges, and a surface free of even the faintest scratches or print lines. Even a minuscule imperfection can drop a card from a 10 to a 9, and the value difference is monumental, especially with cards where 10s are already so scarce. Don't be afraid to send a card to PSA that you think *might* be a 10, even if it's not a "mainstream" chase card. Their population reports prove that rarity in high grades can turn an otherwise ordinary card into a unicorn. Remember, the journey to becoming a PSA 10 is fraught with peril for these cards, and that's precisely their appeal as long-term investments. 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: Do Your Homework, Take Calculated Risks
Now, a crucial disclaimer: card values fluctuate, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Always do your own research before making purchase decisions. Grading isn't guaranteed, and you might send a card in expecting a 10 and get a 9. It happens to the best of us. But for savvy collectors and investors, these undervalued promos present a unique opportunity. They're not for the faint of heart, but the potential rewards are significant. These cards, based on the current PSA pop reports and my long-term market observation, are severely underpriced for what a perfect copy represents. Keep an eye on these. They’re the real gems, quietly appreciating while everyone else chases what’s already hot. For a deeper dive into the world of Pokémon cards, or if you have questions, please reach out or learn more about CardStat.pro and our team of analysts. The Pokémon Company continues to release incredible cards, and the hunt for these undervalued pieces is half the fun.Topics: pokemon cards, tcg investing, card grading, pokemon collecting, sm black star promos, swsh black star promos, journey together, journey together, sm black star promos
Continue reading on the CardStat.pro blog or browse the card price index.