Only two Astral Radiance cards are consistently worth grading: Machamp V alternate-art 172/189 and Origin Forme Palkia V alternate-art 167/189, and only in likely PSA 10 condition. Grading means an outside service authenticates the card, scores its condition on a 1-10 scale, and seals it in a slab buyers trust for high-grade sales.
Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance launched May 27, 2022. It features Hisuian Pokémon from Legends: Arceus and Radiant Pokémon with etched Shiny artwork, according to The Pokémon Company in the launch announcement. Card Codex reports the top 10 cards hold 62% of set value, so most pulls do not cover grading.
Table of Contents
- Why does Machamp V 172/189 lead?
- Is Origin Palkia V 167/189 next?
- Do gold secrets make money?
- When should you keep it raw?
Why does Machamp V 172/189 lead?
Machamp V alternate-art 172/189 is the set's top chase at about $191 raw. Card Codex reports Origin Palkia V 167/189 near $86.50, Beedrill V 161/189 near $72, and the top 10 cards holding 62% of set value. What The Slab found Machamp V trading at $168.13 raw versus a $400 PSA-10 median in early October 2026.
That is a 138% premium that supports grading gem-mint copies, described in the Machamp V ROI analysis. After a $59.99 PSA Standard charge, 13.25% eBay fees, and shipping, that PSA-10 sale left about $113.48 profit. What The Slab calculates a 49.7% ROI for collectors who bought the card raw.
Is Origin Palkia V 167/189 next?
Origin Forme Palkia V alternate-art 167/189 is the second-strongest candidate. PriceCharting lists about $70 ungraded versus $91.50 in Grade 9 and $274.50 in PSA 10 in the Astral Radiance price guide.
The jump to PSA 10 carries the profit. A Grade 9 adds little over raw, so off-center or soft-corner copies belong back in a binder.
Do gold secrets make money?
Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR gold secret 208/189 is marginal. Card Codex shows $12.54 raw versus $100.92 in PSA 10, netting about $47.26 only when it earns a 10.
PSA raised Value to $32.99 and Value Plus to $49.99 in February 2026. Value Max rose to $64.99 and Regular to $79.99, according to PSA in the February grading update.
- Submit only alternate arts and gold secrets.
- Demand pack-fresh gloss, sharp corners, and even centering.
- Keep common holos, worn Radiants, and off-center chases raw.
When should you keep it raw?
Machamp PSA 9 medians near $200 lose about $60 after fees. What The Slab also finds BGS 9.5 near $212 and CGC 10 near $200 losing money.
Send only pack-fresh, well-centered alt-arts and gold secrets. If centering looks even slightly off, sell the card raw and save the grading fee.
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