I just checked the latest PSA 9 and 10 prices, and honestly? As of May 4, 2026, I'm genuinely stunned by some of the shifts we've seen. We’re talking about cards that collectors largely ignored, sometimes even downright dismissed, suddenly pulling ahead of established heavy hitters. It's wild to see the market flip like this. Especially when you look at the 2023 showdown. Everyone was focused on modern SWSH Black Star Promos, or maybe chasing those nostalgia bombs from Team Rocket Returns. But quietly, in the background, a few Call of Legends Shinies started making some serious moves. These weren't the chase cards back in the day, not like some of the iconic vintage you and I used to go digging for. Now they're delivering serious returns. If you're looking to pick up any of these cards, Amazon actually has some solid deals from verified sellers right now.

The Underdog Story: Call of Legends Surging in 2023

Look, the market is usually pretty predictable. Newer promos get their hype cycle, then settle. Vintage gems like Team Rocket Returns hold their value because, well, they're Team Rocket Returns. But 2023 was different. It highlighted a serious shift towards scarcity and unique aesthetics, especially when that nostalgia factor is amplified by pristine condition. The cards I'm about to show you prove it. We saw a lot of collectors pouring into modern Black Star Promos, thinking they were the next big thing. And don't get me wrong, many did well. But the sheer volume of some of those prints means high-grade copies aren't quite as rare as we initially thought. I think this is a huge takeaway. To really understand the market, you often need to look at how sub-100 pop reports drive gains in Black Star & Vintage Promos.

Call of Legends Sleeper Shinies: The Unexpected Victors

Here's where it gets interesting. These cards, particularly in PSA 9, absolutely crushed some of the more hyped cards from other sets. Let's dig into the data.

Lugia (Call of Legends)

Okay, so this isn't a PSA 9, but I just had to include it because it exemplifies the set's potential. A PSA 10 of the Lugia from Call of Legends is currently sitting at a mind-boggling $152,311.65. I remember pulling this card back in the day, thinking it was neat, but never in a million years did I imagine that kind of value. The sheer detail on the shiny Pokémon in this set, combined with relatively lower print runs compared to modern sets, makes them incredibly desirable. The centering was often a nightmare though, so finding a strong 9 or 10 is tough. View full price history for Lugia on CardStat.pro

The Hyped, But Outperformed: SWSH Promos and Team Rocket Returns

Now, let's look at what these Call of Legends cards had to compete against. Cards that, by all accounts, should have been dominating the price charts.

Mewtwo V-UNION (SWSH Black Star Promos)

This was a beautiful promo, right? The Mewtwo V-UNION from SWSH Black Star Promos. Everyone loved the full art and the distinct V-UNION mechanic. A PSA 10 copy currently goes for $9,999.00. That's a solid number, absolutely. But it's nowhere near that Call of Legends Lugia. There were just so many of these printed, and pull rates were pretty generous, making high-grade copies readily available. It just doesn't have the scarcity. We've got more analysis on these in our Black Star Promo ROI deep dive. View full price history for Mewtwo V-UNION on CardStat.pro

Zacian V (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Another popular one: the Zacian V from SWSH Black Star Promos. A PSA 10 for this one also sits at $9,999.00. Again, a respectable price point, but it illustrates the same point as Mewtwo V-UNION. These were widely available, easily pulled, and many were graded. Pop reports are high, which dilutes the ultra-rare factor that drives those insane values. View full price history for Zacian V on CardStat.pro

Torchic ★ (Team Rocket Returns)

Now, this one surprised me a little. The Torchic Gold Star from Team Rocket Returns. Iconic, vintage, desirable. A PSA 10 will fetch you $49,999.99. That's a phenomenal return, no question. But compared to the Call of Legends Lugia, it's still being outpaced. Team Rocket Returns definitely has its champions, but the sheer, raw power of certain Call of Legends Shinies, especially in top grades, is just out of this world right now. I've sent in dozens of these Gold Stars myself, and let me tell you, that edge whitening was always a killer. Getting a strong PSA 10 was, and still is, incredibly hard. View full price history for Torchic ★ on CardStat.pro

Buzzwole-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Finally, let's touch on the Buzzwole-GX from SM Black Star Promos. Another popular promo, especially for players. A PSA 10 is currently valued at $9,999.00. Similar story to the SWSH promos. Good value, but limited by higher print runs and thus higher PSA population reports. It's a solid card, but it just doesn't have that super-rare, chase factor in top grades that pushes prices into the stratosphere. Check out our blog post on overlooked promos for more details. View full price history for Buzzwole-GX on CardStat.pro

Grading Strategy: What I've Learned

So, what's the takeaway here? My advice remains consistent: **condition is king**. Always. For sets like Call of Legends or even Team Rocket Returns, finding a perfectly centered, clean raw copy is like finding a needle in a haystack. I've submitted hundreds of cards to PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) over the years, and the biggest lessons learned are usually about surface scratches on holos, tiny specks of print defects, or those notoriously bad cuts. When you're evaluating a card like that Lugia, you're not just looking at the picture. You're examining the holo foil for any micro-scratches, checking all four corners for whitening, and praying for perfect centering. That's what differentiates a strong 9 from a 10. The lower the print run, and the harder the set to grade, the more value that pristine condition holds. It's why I always stress the importance of quality control from The Pokémon Company over the years. For investors, this means targeting cards with low PSA 9 and 10 pop reports from sought-after sets. Don't chase trends blindly. Do your homework. You can browse our full card price index to cross-reference pop report data. Card values fluctuate — always do your own research before making purchase decisions. Not every card will appreciate, and grading isn't a guaranteed home run. But if you're smart, and you've got a good eye for condition, there's definitely still opportunity. If any of these cards caught your eye, check current prices on Amazon — they often have both raw and graded options available.

Final Thoughts and Actionable Advice

The 2023 market was a clear indicator: **scarcity and pristine condition from slightly older, overlooked sets can outperform sheer hype.** While modern promos like the SWSH Black Star Promos offer good, consistent returns, they rarely hit those explosive, five-figure numbers a truly rare, high-grade vintage or semi-vintage card can. It's all about that supply-demand curve. My advice for you, my fellow collector and investor, is this:

• Diversify: Don't put all your eggs in the modern promo basket.
• Scarcity is Key: Look at pop reports, not just raw demand. Lower population means higher potential value in top grades.
• Condition, Condition, Condition: If you're going for a Call of Legends shiny, be ruthless in your raw card assessment.
• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on our latest market insights; we’re constantly analyzing these trends.

This isn't just about Pokémon cards; it’s about understanding collectables markets in general. The same principles apply. If you want to learn more about CardStat.pro or our team of analysts, feel free to visit our about page. Have questions? Don't hesitate to reach out!