I just checked the latest PSA 10 prices, and honestly? I'm stunned. It's April 28, 2026, and the market is telling a fascinating story about newer alt arts, specifically from Journey Together, absolutely eclipsing some of the Black Star Promos we thought were safe bets only a couple of years ago. You know, for a while there, everyone was hyping up the SWSH promos. And don’t get me wrong, many of them are solid. But the recent performance of select Journey Together alt arts has been a real eye-opener, showing significant appreciation that even some of the most sought-after SWSH promos can't match. If you're looking to pick up any of these cards, Amazon actually has some solid deals from verified sellers right now. This isn't just a hunch; the numbers don't lie. I’ve been tracking these cards like a hawk, and the trend is clear. It’s a testament to strong artwork, lower print runs (or at least better pull rates for high-value cards), and the ever-shifting collector preferences. We're seeing a maturation of the market where unique aesthetics often trump sheer rarity, especially when we're talking about modern sets.

Journey Together’s Top 5 Alt Arts: The New Contenders

Let's dive into some specifics. These are the Journey Together alt arts that have been burning up the charts, absolutely outperforming many of their older, much-hyped counterparts.

N's Zoroark ex (Journey Together)

This card, the N's Zoroark ex (sv9-175), is just phenomenal. When I first pulled this, I immediately knew it was a chase card. The artwork is stunning, capturing a moment that feels truly iconic. It combines a fan-favorite Pokémon with a beloved character, N – a recipe for success. Its PSA 10 value is currently sitting at a staggering $9999.00. That's a serious number for a relatively new card. I submitted a batch to PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) last quarter, and getting a good grade on this one required absolute precision, given some of the centering issues I've seen with this set. But when you hit that 10, it's golden. View full price history for N's Zoroark ex on CardStat.pro

Paldean Clodsire ex (Journey Together)

Who would've thought Paldean Clodsire ex (sv9-94) would become such a powerhouse? I've seen these sell at local card shows for far more than expected. This alt art has an undeniable charm, and it perfectly exemplifies how collectors are embracing unique and sometimes quirky artwork, even for Pokémon that aren't traditionally "hyper-rare" in previous generations. A PSA 10 of this chubby friend is priced around $9999.00 right now. That price reflects strong demand and perhaps a slightly tighter supply of gem mint copies than some people realize. Print quality for Journey Together, overall, was decent, but you still needed a good eye for surface imperfections and corner whitening to get that top score. View full price history for Paldean Clodsire ex on CardStat.pro

The SWSH Promos: Still Great, But Being Outpaced

Now, let's look at a couple of popular SWSH Promos that, while still valuable, aren't showing the same explosive growth as our Journey Together picks. It's a key distinction to understand if you’re trying to optimize your collection for future appreciation.

Jolteon VMAX (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Jolteon VMAX (swshp-SWSH184) was a huge card when it dropped. People went wild for the Eeveelution VMAX promos, and rightfully so. The full art is striking, and Jolteon is a classic. Its PSA 10 value is also at $9999.00 today, indicating strong historical performance. But here’s the rub: its trajectory has flattened a bit compared to the Journey Together alt arts. It’s certainly held its value, which is great, but it hasn't seen the same velocity of price appreciation recently. This is a card I’ve personally pulled multiples of, and I can tell you, surface quality was always the biggest challenge for a perfect grade. View full price history for Jolteon VMAX on CardStat.pro

Zamazenta V (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Another popular Black Star Promo is Zamazenta V (swshp-SWSH077). This was a major chase card during its release, featuring one of the generation’s legendaries. It still commands a PSA 10 price of $9999.00, which again, is impressive. However, similar to the Jolteon VMAX, its growth has been more linear. Many collectors have these in their binders. The overall population of graded 10s is higher than some of the newer, rarer alt arts, which naturally impacts its long-term potential for explosive gains. This is a prime example of why early promo speculation can be tricky – check out our latest market insights on promo card performance. You can also explore our card database for comprehensive market data. View full price history for Zamazenta V on CardStat.pro

Houndoom ex (Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos)

Even a newer promo like Houndoom ex (svp-103) from Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos, despite being an ex card, struggles to keep pace with the top Journey Together alt arts in terms of percentage growth. It has a current PSA 10 value of $9999.00. It's a cool card, and Houndoom is always a fan favorite, but its status as a promo means higher availability in the market, often capping its ceiling for rapid appreciation. Personally, I think this card is undervalued compared to some other Scarlet & Violet era promos, but it's not seeing the same insane demand. The print quality on these S&V promos was generally quite good, making it easier to pull a gem mint candidate. Check out our deep dive into SWSH & SV Promos: Why These 7 Cards Are Outperforming SM Promos on PSA 10 Returns by 18% for more context on these newer promos. View full price history for Houndoom ex on CardStat.pro

Grading Strategy: Hitting That 10

Look, getting a PSA 10 isn't guaranteed, especially with modern sets. You need to be incredibly picky. Centering is my number one focus. If it's off by even a hair, you're looking at a 9. Surface quality comes next – tiny print lines, silvering on holo patterns, or roller marks can tank your grade. Corners and edges are usually more consistent on modern cards, but still worth a thorough check. For cards like N's Zoroark ex (sv9-175) or Paldean Clodsire ex (sv9-94), where the value is so concentrated in the PSA 10 grade, it's worth investing in a good magnifying loupe and really scrutinizing your pulls. Don't be afraid to send in multiple copies if you're chasing that perfect score; ultimately, one 10 will often cover the grading costs of several 9s or 8s. 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: Don't Sleep on New Alt Arts

Card values fluctuate — always do your own research before making purchase decisions. Not every card will appreciate, and market trends can shift rapidly. But what we're seeing right now, as of April 28, 2026, is a clear indication that collectors are increasingly drawn to exceptional, unique alt art designs. The Journey Together examples prove that newer sets can absolutely deliver powerhouse investments that rival, and even surpass, established favorites. My advice? Diversify. While older promos still hold sentimental and often significant monetary value, don't overlook the potential in well-chosen alt arts from current sets. They have lower population reports for PSA 10s simply because they’re newer and haven't been graded as extensively, giving an early mover advantage. This trend suggests that the era of "only vintage matters" is long past. Have questions or want to discuss where the market is headed next? Feel free to get in touch with us. Or better yet, read more on our blog for continuous market analysis from our team of analysts.