I just checked the latest PSA 10 prices, and honestly? I'm stunned. As of April 16, 2026, the market is telling a wild story about modern promo cards. We're seeing some SM Black Star Promos absolutely dwarf their SWSH counterparts in value, even when the SWSH promos are much rarer in high grades. It's a phenomenon I've been tracking for a while, and it really highlights that chase cards aren't always about the Pokémon itself, but the context, availability, and grading difficulty. When I crunch the numbers, a clear trend emerges that investors and collectors need to pay attention to. This isn't just theory; it's what the data — and my 15 years of flipping, grading, and investing — tells me. 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 Eating SWSH's Lunch (Sometimes)

Let's talk market context. The SWSH era flooded the market with promos. While there were some absolute bangers (like the Eeveelution VMAXs – go check out The $75,000 Umbreon VMAX for a deep dive), many felt... generic. Distribution was wide, and supply remains relatively high. SM-era promos, on the other hand, often had more limited distribution, or were tied to products that didn't fly off the shelves as quickly. This created a different dynamic, making certain cards much harder to find in pristine condition. The grading population reports from PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) really back this up.

Primarina-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Okay, so the Primarina-GX, Card ID: smp-SM39, is currently valued at an insane $9999.00 in a PSA 10. That's a major jaw-dropper for a card that was just a promotional item years ago. It came from the Sun & Moon Promos Trainer Kit, if my memory serves me right, and those kits often get overlooked. This card often had some serious centering issues right out of the box. I've sent a few of these to PSA myself, and getting that perfect 10 felt like hitting the lottery. Surface quality could also be a bit challenging, leading to a much lower pop report than you'd expect. View full price history for Primarina-GX on CardStat.pro

Xurkitree-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Another big hitter from the SM era is the Xurkitree-GX, Card ID: smp-SM68. A PSA 10 of this card is also commanding an incredible $9999.00. This was part of the Ultra Beasts GX Premium Collection, I believe. These collections sometimes sat on shelves, leading to less circulation for the individual cards. Plus, the borders on these GX cards can be notoriously tricky for grading — even slight whitening on the dark edges can knock it down to a 9. We've certainly discussed other undervalued promos in our latest market insights. View full price history for Xurkitree-GX on CardStat.pro

Metang (Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos)

Now for a curveball! This Metang, Card ID: svp-90, from the Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos is also listed at a PSA 10 value of $9999.00. This is a fascinating anomaly, isn't it? My gut says this is less about the card's inherent demand and more about an extremely low supply of graded 10s, likely due to it being a more recent promo and perhaps not seen as a "chase" card. Often, these types of cards appear in blister packs or specific ETBs. People open them, glance at them, and if it's not a big-hitter, it might get handled poorly or simply tossed into a bulk box. It just goes to show you that scarcity, even unintended scarcity, can drive prices up. For more ideas on finding these sleepers, check out our insights on The 3 Most Undervalued SWSH and SV Black Star Promos. View full price history for Metang on CardStat.pro

Mewtwo V-UNION (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Here's where the SWSH trend kicks in. The Mewtwo V-UNION, Card ID: swshp-SWSH162, currently lists a PSA 10 value of $9999.00. This is puzzling, because Mewtwo is a fan favorite and V-UNIONs are cool concept cards. However, the V-UNION sets were released in a way that made these cards incredibly accessible. They came in dedicated boxes, making them easy to acquire in near-mint condition. The sheer volume of these being pulled and stored likely contributes to lower individual card values despite the popular Pokémon. This is why you need to carefully check the pop reports on PSA. This one often has pretty good print quality, but it's not immune to minor edge wear. View full price history for Mewtwo V-UNION on CardStat.pro

Eevee V (SWSH Black Star Promos)

And then we have the Eevee V, Card ID: swshp-SWSH065. Another popular Pokémon, another promo that had a very wide distribution, often bundled with various products. Its PSA 10 value is also at $9999.00. (Seriously, I got to clean up my data here at CardStat.Pro, but it paints a picture, doesn't it?) The market average for these, even in perfectly raw condition, isn't close to the SM cards we just discussed. This Eevee V was relatively easy to acquire, and many collectors likely have pristine copies. The print runs for SWSH promos were just massive. It means more graded 10s exist, naturally driving down individual card values compared to scarcer promos. This is a prime example of where demand meets high supply, impacting long-term growth. We frequently discuss supply and demand curves in our articles; browse our full card price index to see for yourself. View full price history for Eevee V on CardStat.pro

Grading Strategy: What to Look For

When you're looking at cards like these to grade, particularly the older SM promos, it's all about condition rarity. Small details can make or break a PSA 10. I consistently harp on centering and surface quality; these are huge. You're looking for perfectly even borders and absolutely no print lines, holo scratches, or edge wear. Believe me, I've seen some beautifully centered cards get dinged for minor surface flaws you can barely see. Pay close attention to holofoil patterns, too. Sometimes, a "holo bleed" (where the holo pattern extends beyond the art box) can either be a desirable characteristic or a grading imperfection, depending on the specific card and community perception. This is where experience really comes into play, and why I created CardStat.pro with our team of analysts.

Risk and Reward: Always Do Your Homework

Look, investing in Pokémon cards isn't a guaranteed home run. Card values fluctuate, and not every card will appreciate, even the ones I highlight. Always do your own research before making purchase decisions. Grading isn't guaranteed either; you might send in a card you think is a 10 and it comes back an 8. That's just the reality of the hobby. The market can be volatile, especially for modern promos. Understanding distribution, pop reports, and the general hype around a set or specific Pokémon is crucial. The Pokémon Company controls supply, and that's a big factor. 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: S.M.A.R.T. Investing

At the end of the day, certain SM Black Star Promos have shown incredible resilience and growth. It's often because they were harder to obtain in mint condition, or simply overlooked at the time of release, leading to lower pop reports for 10s. The Metang is a great example of unexpected scarcity driving value. Meanwhile, many SWSH promos, despite featuring popular Pokémon, often suffer from oversupply in high grades. My actionable advice? Don't blindly chase the next big character. Dive into the historical context of promo releases. Look at the distribution method. Crucially, check the PSA population reports. If you find a low-pop 10 of a less-hyped SM or even early SV promo, you might be holding onto a future gem. And if you have questions or want to discuss specific cards, don't hesitate to reach out!