Venusaur VMAX (Textured Full Art Holofoil) [SWSH #SWSH102]

Venusaur VMAX (Textured Full Art Holofoil) — Near Mint or Better

Set: SWSH Black Star Promos  |  Card Number: SWSH102  |  Year: 2021  |  Rarity: Promo (Ultra Rare)  |  Card Type: Grass / VMAX Pokémon (330 HP)  |  Variant: Textured Full Art Holofoil  |  Illustrator: aky CG Works

About This Card

Released in 2021 as the exclusive centerpiece of the Venusaur VMAX Battle Box, SWSH102 stands apart from every standard set pull in the modern era. Unlike pack-pulled ultra rares, this Black Star Promo was only obtainable through the sealed Battle Box product, making pristine, well-preserved copies a persistent target for Venusaur collectors and Kanto starter enthusiasts alike. Its box-exclusive origin means supply is inherently capped, and as sealed Battle Box inventory continues to dry up, raw copies in strong condition become increasingly scarce.

The artwork, rendered by the digital studio aky CG Works, captures Venusaur in its towering Gigantamax form — a colossal silhouette dominating the frame with its signature massive pink flower fully bloomed over its back, surrounded by a storm of swirling green energy. The card's defining feature is its fingerprint-like surface texturing, a tactile and visual hallmark of the Textured Full Art treatment that beautifully emphasizes the raw power of G-Max Bloom. In hand, the card commands attention in a way flat prints simply cannot replicate.

Competitively, Venusaur VMAX was a legitimate force during its Standard-legal window, boasting 330 HP and a hard-hitting G-Max Vine attack. While it has since rotated from Standard, it remains a staple of Expanded format discussions and a beloved piece of modern Pokémon TCG history. For collectors, the combination of promo exclusivity, textured finish, and iconic Kanto nostalgia makes this one of the most visually striking and emotionally resonant VMAX cards in the modern era.

Why This Card?

• Box-Exclusive Promo Scarcity: SWSH102 was only available inside the Venusaur VMAX Battle Box — never pulled from a booster pack — making clean raw copies genuinely hard to source as sealed product disappears from the market.
• Textured Full Art Finish: The tactile fingerprint-like surface texture is one of the most sought-after finishes in the modern SWSH era, elevating this card well above standard holofoil prints in both visual impact and collector desirability.
• Grading Upside: Near Mint or better raw copies with sharp corners and clean surfaces are strong candidates for PSA or CGC submission, with Gem Mint grades commanding significant premiums over raw market value.
• Iconic Kanto Nostalgia: Venusaur is a Generation 1 cornerstone, and its VMAX form carries deep nostalgic weight for collectors who grew up with the original 151 — driving consistent demand across all collector tiers.
• aky CG Works Artistry: The digital studio behind this card has produced some of the most visually dynamic artwork in the SWSH era; their pieces are increasingly recognized by art-focused collectors as standout additions to any display collection.