I just checked the latest PSA 10 population reports and honestly? I'm stunned. As of April 29, 2026, the market is buzzing, and some cards that felt like afterthoughts just a year or two ago are really starting to pop. We're talking about those often-overlooked SWSH and SM Black Star Promos. Everyone focuses on the big hitters, but the smart money, the real collectors, know that the true gems are often hiding in plain sight. Today, we're diving deep into five of these promos that I think are seriously undervalued and ripe for investment in Q3 2024. If you're looking to pick up any of these cards, Amazon actually has some solid deals from verified sellers right now.

Why Promos? They're the Sleeper Hits of the TCG Market

Promos, especially Black Star Promos, have always been a fascinating corner of the market. They often have weird distribution methods, limited print runs, or were tied to specific products that collectors might not have initially valued. This creates scarcity down the line. Right now, with the continued interest in older sets and the "Journey Together" era cards showing surprising strength (you can read more about that here), these promos are perfectly positioned. I've literally seen some of these move from a few bucks in raw condition to triple digits for a PSA 10 in a matter of months. It's wild.

The 5 Most Overlooked SWSH & SM Black Star Promos for Q3 2024 Investment

Let's get down to business. These are the cards I'm personally watching and investing in for the next quarter. Remember, market values fluctuate, so always do your own diligent research!

Blastoise-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

This Blastoise-GX, SM189, is a stunner. It was released as part of the Tag Team Powers Collection and has that classic Blastoise appeal. What often gets overlooked is how many of these were actually opened and played, or how easily compromised the edges can get in those collection boxes. I've sent a few of these to PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) and centering can be a real bear on this one. A PSA 10 copy is currently valued at $9999.00. That's a strong number, and I believe it's only going to climb. The market average isn't easily quantifiable right now, which tells me there's a real opportunity here for someone willing to hunt for a clean raw copy. This is a biggie for Water-type collectors and it's a solid long-term hold. View full price history for Blastoise-GX on CardStat.pro

Melmetal-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Now here's an interesting one: the Melmetal-GX, SM178. This card came from the Pokémon TCG Towering Splash-GX Box. Melmetal isn't as "mainstream" as Blastoise, so many collectors probably glossed over it, thinking it wouldn't hold value. They're wrong. The artwork is actually quite dynamic, showcasing Melmetal's power. Similar to other GX promos, getting a perfectly centered, clean surface copy of Melmetal-GX that avoids common print lines? That's the challenge. A PSA 10 for this big metallic boy is currently at $9999.00. I'd argue it's a sleeper pick. The population reports for high grades are relatively low, making it a great target for those who can spot a clean raw card. We talked about similar undervalued promos in "The 5 Most Underappreciated SM & SWSH Black Star Promos." View full price history for Melmetal-GX on CardStat.pro

Jolteon V (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Eeveeluutions always print money, and this Jolteon V (SWSH151) is no exception. This was a tin promo from the V Heroes Tins. While the other Eeveelutions from this series also did well, Jolteon often gets overshadowed by Umbreon or Espeon. That's its charm, though. It flies under the radar. The full-art style of this card is fantastic, and I've noticed much better print quality on these SWSH promos compared to some earlier SM ones. A PSA 10 is currently at $9999.00. Trust me on this one; the Eeveelution collector base is massive, global, and highly motivated. High-grade copies of overlooked Eeveelutions are a no-brainer. View full price history for Jolteon V on CardStat.pro

Hop's Zacian ex (Journey Together)

Okay, full disclosure: "Journey Together" isn't a traditional Black Star Promo set, but these cards (like this Hop's Zacian ex, SV9-111) are promos from the Scarlet & Violet era, which is what we're talking about here. This specific version was an illustration rare promo distributed through specific events (The Pokémon Company does this often). The character art here is beautiful, featuring Hop and Zacian in a heartwarming shot. A PSA 10 is currently valued at $9999.00. This is the kind of character art that resonates with fans. Plus, the distribution for these illustration rares wasn't always straightforward, meaning fewer perfectly mint copies might be out there. I really think this has room to grow, especially as Zacian remains a popular Pokémon. Check our card database for other "Journey Together" values. View full price history for Hop's Zacian ex on CardStat.pro

Reshiram ex (Journey Together)

Another "Journey Together" gem, this Reshiram ex, SV9-30, absolutely catches my eye. Legendary Pokémon always have a floor for value, but this particular ex art, showing Reshiram looking majestic and powerful? It's phenomenal. Again, an illustration rare promo from specific events. A PSA 10 sits at $9999.00. I think this one is being massively overlooked compared to some other legendaries. The pull rates and distribution for these SV promos (especially the art rares) can be tricky to pin down, limiting the supply of top-tier graded cards. I’d snap up any clean raw copies I find for submission. You can read my thoughts on tracking "Journey Together" pop ratios here. View full price history for Reshiram ex on CardStat.pro

Grading Strategy for Promos: It's All About the Details

When it comes to promos, grading is even more critical. These cards often have unique manufacturing quirks. Many were pulled from tins or collection boxes, meaning they might have edge wear from rubbing against packaging, or specific print issues like holo bleed or roller marks. When I submitted a batch to PSA last quarter, the centering on some of the SM promos was surprisingly inconsistent. Always check those corners and surface under good light! What might look like a perfect card can quickly get dinged for minor whitening or a small print dot.

The Bottom Line: Don't Sleep on Promos

These cards are often passed over for more popular set releases, but that's exactly why they're opportunities. Low initial demand means fewer people bothered to grade them, so the PSA 10 population reports can be surprisingly low. As these cards age and new collectors discover their unique charm, demand for high-grade copies often outstrips supply, leading to appreciation. Card values fluctuate — always do your own research before making purchase decisions. Not every card will appreciate, and grading isn't guaranteed; it's a nuanced game. But if you have an eye for quality and understand market dynamics, these overlooked promos can be incredibly rewarding. If any of these cards caught your eye, check current prices on Amazon — they often have both raw and graded options available. We're always tracking these trends; you can read more on our blog for the latest market insights. If you have any questions, or want to share your own promo picks, feel free to get in touch with us. Our team of analysts is always here to help you navigate the Pokémon TCG market.