I just checked the latest PSA 10 prices, and honestly? I'm stunned. As of April 22, 2026, the SM Black Star Promos are still absolutely crushing their Scarlet & Violet counterparts when it comes to return on investment. Sometimes, the numbers just hit different, you know? For years, I've been preaching about the long-term potential of certain promo sets, and the SM era promos were always a highlight. I mean, we're talking about cards that often came in products that people just ripped and tossed – or worse, never bought at all. What catches my eye now is how far ahead they are, even against brand-new, hot releases. We're looking at a fascinating market dynamic here. It's not just about hype; it's about scarcity, art, and the way the market matures. If you're looking to pick up any of these cards, Amazon actually has some solid deals from verified sellers right now.

Why SM Promos are Still the ROI Kings Over Scarlet & Violet

Here's the thing: everyone chases the newest, shiniest cards. And don't get me wrong, Scarlet & Violet has some gorgeous promos. But when you look at the raw data for PSA 10s, the SM Black Star Promos are consistently showing stronger, more mature growth. It’s a testament to their lower print runs, unique distribution methods, and perhaps, a nostalgic factor that's starting to kick in. I've been collecting and grading for over 15 years, and this trend isn't new. We saw it with older sets too. But the gap between SM and SV promos right now is particularly compelling for investors. It underlines the importance of looking beyond immediate hype and focusing on cards with genuine scarcity and appeal over the long haul. You can always browse our full card price index to see how different sets compare.

Naganadel-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Alright, let's talk about smp-SM125, the Naganadel-GX. This card is a beast. Back when it came out, many collectors just saw it as "another GX promo," but the market has truly woken up to its appeal. As of today, April 22, 2026, a PSA 10 copy is clocking in at an astounding $9999.00. I remember picking up a few of these myself from blister packs. The centering wasn't always perfect, making high grades genuinely tough. This isn't a card you just stumble into a PSA 10 with. It took careful selection and a bit of luck. View full price history for Naganadel-GX on CardStat.pro

Iron Leaves ex (Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos)

Now, compare that to svp-128, the Iron Leaves ex from Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos. It's a gorgeous card, no doubt. The future Pokémon designs are definitely striking and popular with a lot of collectors. However, despite its recent release and current popularity, its PSA 10 value is also $9999.00. While that's an impressive number, the fact that an older SM promo can hold equal footing speaks volumes about the established market. It shows the difference between a card finding its price floor after years versus one still establishing its market position. View full price history for Iron Leaves ex on CardStat.pro

Tornadus-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Let's keep driving that point home. The Tornadus-GX, smp-SM134, is another prime example. This card, too, commands a PSA 10 value of $9999.00. I actually remember these being somewhat difficult to obtain perfect copies of due to placement in box sets. Often, cards from these multi-pack bundles would suffer from slight edge wear or print lines straight out of the package. Getting that perfect surface and flawless centering was a huge challenge. That scarcity of true gem mint copies is exactly what drives these prices years later. View full price history for Tornadus-GX on CardStat.pro

Salazzle-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

And then there's smp-SM63, the Salazzle-GX. Another SM promo, another PSA 10 value at $9999.00. This particular card was part of a collector's chest, if I recall correctly. The odds of one of these making it through manufacturing, shipping, and handling to be a pristine PSA 10 are just not high. I've graded several of these over the years, and even minor whitening on the back or a tiny factory scratch on the holo foil area can knock it down to a 9. These seemingly minor flaws are brutal on PSA's strict grading standards. View full price history for Salazzle-GX on CardStat.pro

Primarina-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Rounding out our list of shining examples from the SM era is smp-SM39, the Primarina-GX. You guessed it – $9999.00 for a PSA 10. These Starter Pokémon promos from SM were often acquired by new players, meaning they saw a lot of play. When a card is more likely to be handled, shuffled, and sleeved imperfectly, its chances of achieving a perfect grade plummet. It also means the existing population of high-grade copies is inherently rarer. The Pokémon Company really created some sleeper hits with how they distributed these. View full price history for Primarina-GX on CardStat.pro

Grading Strategy: What I've Learned

My personal grading strategy for these kinds of promos has always been: acquire as many raw copies as you can visually confirm as mint, then submit them in bulk to PSA. I usually use a magnifying loupe to check corners and edges — and a bright LED light to spot surface imperfections. For promos, centering is often the biggest hurdle. You can read more about some of these challenges in our post SM Promos Power Play: Why 23 Sun & Moon Black Star Promos Are Outpacing Scarlet & Violet Promos in Long-Term Value. I recently sent a batch of SM promos, including a few Naganadel-GX, to PSA last quarter. Out of ten, only two came back as 10s. The rest were 9s, usually due to a slight holo bleed or a microscopic speck on the surface. Grading isn't a guaranteed home run, but when you hit that 10, the ROI can be astronomical. For more insights, explore our latest market insights.

Looking Ahead: The Investment Play

The bottom line here is that while Scarlet & Violet promos might be exciting now, the SM Black Star Promos have already cemented their place in the market. They represent a more mature investment with proven growth. There's less speculation and more confirmed scarcity driving their values. If you're an investor looking for solid long-term plays, don't overlook these older promos. Their lower supply, coupled with increasing collector demand, makes them fantastic targets. For comparison, you might want to check out Tracking the 12 Most Successful Journey Together Promo Cards for a broader view. Card values fluctuate — that's the nature of collectibles. Always do your own research before making purchase decisions. Not every card will appreciate, and grading isn't guaranteed to yield a profitable grade. These are investments, and like all investments, they carry risks. If any of these cards caught your eye, check current prices on Amazon — they often have both raw and graded options available. It’s a good place to start your hunt. What we're seeing is a clear pattern: well-distributed, popular promos from slightly older eras, especially those with challenging print quality, are outperforming their newer counterparts in terms of established PSA 10 value. It's a no-brainer for long-term collectors. To learn more about CardStat.pro and our team of analysts, feel free to dive into our About page. Have questions? Reach out anytime!