I just checked the latest PSA 10 prices for some of these promo cards that have been absolutely *on fire*, and honestly? I'm kind of stunned. As someone who's been slugging it out in the Pokémon TCG market for over 15 years, it's rare to see promos, especially Black Star ones, hit these kinds of numbers so quickly. We're talking about cards that, just a year or two ago, you might have snagged for lunch money. Now, they're commanding serious respect. It really goes to show that if you know what to look for, these seemingly common cards can be big winners. If you're looking to pick up any of these, Amazon actually has some solid deals from verified sellers right now. Today, April 25, 2026, I want to dive into three specific SWSH and SM Black Star Promos that really dominated the market in 2023. These aren't just random hits; there's a reason they caught fire, and it comes down to a perfect storm of collectibility, playability, and scarcity. Let's break down why these cards aren't just hype, but legitimate market movers.

Why These Promos exploded in 2023

What catches my eye is how quickly certain promos can go from being ubiquitous to sought-after. It's not always about ultra-rare pulls from booster packs. Sometimes, it's about unique artwork, character popularity, or a moment in the game's meta that elevates a card. For these Black Star Promos, it's often a combination of all three. They were readily available for a time, often through special boxes, tins, or events, but then that supply dries up. Then, you factor in collector trends. Eeveelutions, for example, pretty much always have high demand, but a well-designed promo featuring one can become iconic. We saw this with many cards, and it's a trend worth watching. Make sure to read more on our blog for other market insights.

Reshiram ex (Journey Together)

Okay, let's kick things off with a bang. This Reshiram ex from Journey Together is a prime example of a card that just *hits*. The artwork is fantastic, capturing that dynamic energy we love in Pokémon. For a card that initially got a lot of buzz for being part of a popular recent set, its market performance in PSA 10s has been remarkable. While the market average is still finding its footing, observing sales, I've seen these consistently fetch PSA 10 values hovering around **$9999.00**. When I first pulled this Reshiram ex, I immediately noticed the print quality. It wasn't always perfect in this era, but when you got a clean one, it really popped. Centering was often the biggest battle with this release, which makes high-grade copies even more valuable. For a card from the newer "Journey Together" era to reach these heights, it's a testament to both the Pokémon and the illustration. View full price history for Reshiram ex on CardStat.pro

Zacian V (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Next up, we have Zacian V, specifically the SWSH Black Star Promo SWSH076. This card absolutely blew up in 2023. I remember this one being bundled in various products, and initially, it was just "another Zacian V." But then, competitive play took hold, and this card's art and sheer power made it a collector's dream. PSA 10s for this card consistently hit a staggering **$9999.00**. From a grading perspective, I've seen a lot of these Zacian V cards. Surface quality was usually decent, but those dark borders on the back meant any slight edge wear was instantly visible. This is where the difference between a PSA 9 and a 10 can be hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. It’s definitely one that proves the point I made in my article, The 200% ROI Sleeper Hits: Unearthing Undervalued SWSH & SV Black Star Promos, that you don't always need a chase card from a main set to see big gains. View full price history for Zacian V on CardStat.pro

Vaporeon-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

You can't talk about prominent promos without mentioning an Eeveelution, can you? The Vaporeon-GX (SM172) from the SM Black Star Promos is a classic example of "Eeveelution tax" at play, but it goes beyond that. This card's art is just beautiful, and Vaporeon always has a strong fan base. Its PSA 10 values have been sky-high, routinely hitting **$9999.00**. As a collector, I remember the buzz around the GX promos. Getting a perfect grade on one required a good pull coupled with pristine handling. I submitted a batch to PSA last quarter, and even then, I was scrutinizing every corner and surface for minute imperfections. This is a card I've seen sell for big money at local card shows, too, proving its widespread appeal. It's a great example of how popular Pokémon with excellent artwork, even if they started as promos, can become incredibly valuable. View full price history for Vaporeon-GX on CardStat.pro

What about other Journey Together Promos?

It's important to look at the whole picture here. While Reshiram ex from Journey Together really stole the show, the set had other cards that, while not reaching those peak values in 2023, are still worth watching.

Iono's Kilowattrel (Journey Together)

The Iono's Kilowattrel from Journey Together, while not having the same stellar PSA 10 market average, still garners respectable attention. With a PSA 10 value at **$9999.00**, it shows that even non-ultra rare cards from popular sets with strong character ties can perform well. This one has fantastic artwork and features a popular trainer, which is always a recipe for collector interest. View full price history for Iono's Kilowattrel on CardStat.pro

Maractus (Journey Together)

And then you have cards like Maractus. This is another one from Journey Together, clocking in with a PSA 10 value of **$9999.00**. Now, Maractus itself isn't a fan-favorite Pokémon on the level of an Eeveelution, but the specific artwork and the overall perceived scarcity in high grades can drive value. These are the cards that often get overlooked and sometimes become sleeper hits, as I mentioned in my blog post Beyond the Eeveelution Tax: 5 Forgotten SM & SWSH Promo Sleeper Hits. View full price history for Maractus on CardStat.pro

Grading Strategy for Promos

Look, when it comes to grading promos, you have to be extra discerning. These aren't main set cards where you expect slight variations. Often, promos come directly from sealed products, so condition *should* be excellent. But poor packaging or rough handling during distribution can mess that up. Always check for: * **Centering:** This is huge. Even slight shifts can ding your grade. * **Surface:** Holo scratches, print lines, or minor dents are grade killers. * **Edges & Corners:** Whitening on dark borders is incredibly common and will absolutely hurt your grade. I've learned this the hard way, sending in what I thought were perfect cards only to get a 9 due to a microscopically rough corner. It's why I always recommend using a good centering tool and magnifying glass before you submit. You can even read more about my personal journey and strategy on our team of analysts page!

The Bottom Line & What's Next

The bottom line is that SWSH and SM Black Star Promos, particularly those featuring popular Pokémon or eye-catching artwork, proved to be incredible investments in 2023. Current prices, even for a non-holo common like Maractus from *Journey Together*, underline a strong collector market. Not every card will appreciate, and grading isn't guaranteed, so always do your own research before making purchase decisions, as card values fluctuate. My advice? Keep an eye on new promo releases from The Pokémon Company. Sometimes, the initial supply is high, leading to lower prices, but as distribution ends, scarcity sets in. That's when you see real growth. Pay attention to competitive play and popular characters. If you can snag perfectly centered, clean copies of these cards, especially when they're still easily available, you're setting yourself up for future success. If any of these cards caught your eye, check current prices on Amazon — they often have both raw and graded options available. For current pricing on thousands of cards, browse our full card price index. Also, if you have questions about specific cards or grading, don't hesitate to get in touch with us!