Pokémon Cards: All Rarities and Symbols Explained Simply!

A black star, two silver stars, or a golden sparkling star? Anyone who collects Pokémon cards quickly discovers that "rare" can look quite different. Then there are terms like Full Art, Reverse Holo, Secret Rare, and SIR. It's no wonder you can't make sense of everything when you open your first booster. ✨

Here you'll learn how to identify the rarity of your Pokémon cards, what the individual symbols mean, and what special features older cards have. The focus is on German and English cards from the physical Pokémon Trading Card Game. Japanese cards use different terminology in some cases, and Pokémon TCG Pocket has its own system.

If you want to go on a discovery tour yourself afterwards, you'll find boosters, displays, Top Trainer Boxes, and other products for your collection in our Pokémon Collection.

How can you tell the rarity of a Pokémon card?

First, look at the bottom edge of the card next to the card number. There you'll find a small rarity symbol on most regular cards. On newer cards, it's often at the bottom left, while on many older cards, it's at the bottom right.

Three pieces of information will help you classify it correctly:

• The rarity symbol: A circle, diamond, or differently designed star indicates the rarity level.
• The card number: It shows exactly which card you have and whether it goes beyond the regular set numbering.
• The expansion: Not every series uses the same categories and special variants.

A shiny surface alone is therefore not enough. Even a common card can appear as a holographic parallel version without thereby becoming a different rarity level.

Rarity symbols at a glance

Since Scarlet & Violet, higher rarities are distinguished more precisely by the number and color of the stars. Later expansions have introduced additional categories. Not every one of the following rarities appears in every set. The table is a guide for identification, not a universal ranking of pull rates.

Rarity	English name	Identification mark
Common	Common	Black circle
Uncommon	Uncommon	Black diamond
Rare	Rare	One black star
Double Rare	Double Rare	Two black stars
Ultra Rare	Ultra Rare	Two silver stars
Illustration Rare, IR	Illustration Rare, IR	One gold star
Special Illustration Rare, SIR	Special Illustration Rare, SIR	Two gold stars
Hyper Rare, HR	Hyper Rare, HR	Three gold stars
Shiny Rare	Shiny Rare	One gold sparkling star with an outline
Shiny Ultra Rare	Shiny Ultra Rare	Two gold sparkling stars with an outline
ACE SPEC Rare	ACE SPEC Rare	One pink star
Black White Rare, BWR	Black White Rare, BWR	One black and one white star
Mega Hyper Rare, MHR	Mega Hyper Rare, MHR	One gold four-pointed star with a black outline
Mega Attack Rare, MAR	Mega Attack Rare, MAR	One pink and one green star

Tip: The colors and fine outlines are best seen in good light. Silver stars sometimes look almost black in photos.

Circle, diamond, and star: This is where your collection begins

Common: Common

The black circle marks common cards. These include many Basic Pokémon, evolutions, and Trainer cards. They make up a large part of the cards you'll encounter when opening boosters.

“Common” by no means means unimportant: A card can be crucial for a powerful deck or simply show your favorite Pokémon particularly beautifully.

Uncommon: Uncommon

Cards with a black diamond belong to the “uncommon” level. These include, for example, evolutions, Trainer cards, and Special Energy cards. In English lists, this is called “Uncommon,” and sometimes “unusual” is also used in German.

Rare: Rare

A single black star stands for a rare card. Whether it's shiny depends on several factors, including the series and edition. In older expansions, you'll encounter both non-holographic Rare cards and Holo Rares.

With the Scarlet & Violet series, rare cards in regular boosters are generally holographic. However, you should always consider special product versions and parallel cards separately.

When something special appears in a booster

Double Rare: Two black stars

You probably know Double Rare cards primarily as regular Pokémon ex. Their illustrations break the classic image frame, and they have striking holographic effects. Mega Evolution Pokémon ex can also appear at this rarity.

The important thing is to distinguish: “ex” describes a special type of Pokémon card, not automatically a single rarity level. The same Pokémon ex can appear in several differently designed versions within an expansion.

Ultra Rare: Two silver stars

Ultra Rare cards often feature a large-scale illustration and a tactile texture. These include, for example, full-bleed versions of Pokémon ex and Trainer cards.

When collectors talk about “Full Art,” they often mean such a card. However, the term is also used for other illustrations that extend across the entire card. The symbol remains crucial for determining the exact rarity.

Illustration Rare, IR: One gold star

Illustration Rares, or IR for short, show Pokémon in elaborate scenes: playing, in everyday life, or in the middle of their natural environment. It is precisely these little stories that make them so appealing to many collectors. 

Instead of just looking at attacks and card values, there is often something to discover in the background here. The regular Pokémon on these cards do not have to be Pokémon ex.

Special Illustration Rare, SIR: Two gold stars

Special Illustration Rares, or SIR for short, combine special full-bleed illustrations with elaborate design and texture. These include, for example, alternative depictions of Pokémon ex and Supporters.

The difference from IR cannot therefore simply be explained as “the picture is nicer.” It is its own rarity category, identifiable by the two gold stars.

Hyper Rare, HR: Three gold stars

Hyper Rare cards stand out in the Scarlet & Violet series with their gold design. These include Pokémon, Trainer cards, and Energy cards.

The three gold stars distinguish this category from Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares. However, a gold card from an older series does not necessarily carry the same symbol.

Shiny Pokémon, ACE SPEC, and other special rarities

Shiny Rare and Shiny Ultra Rare

A Shiny Pokémon has a different coloring than usual. “Shiny” here therefore means more than a shiny card surface. A holographic card is not automatically a Shiny card.

In Paldea's Promise, there are separate categories for “rare, Shiny” and “ultra rare, Shiny.” You can recognize them by one or two gold sparkling stars with an outline. These look different from the solid gold stars of the illustration cards.

Older expansions also contain Shiny Pokémon. However, the symbols and classifications of the respective series apply there.

ACE SPEC: The pink star

Modern ACE SPEC cards immediately stand out with their pink design. On English cards and in international lists, the category is called ACE SPEC.

They also have a special deck-building rule: Your deck may only contain one ACE SPEC card in total. Modern cards in this category reappeared in the trading card game with Forces of Nature. Older ACE SPEC cards from the Black & White series look different.

Black White Rare: Rare, Black White

With Black Flash and White Flames, the Black White Rare category was added. The name refers to the special illustration style and is not equivalent to the older Black & White series.

Well-known examples are the strikingly designed cards of Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex. The associated symbol combines a black and a white star.

Mega Hyper Rare: Hyper Rare, Mega

In the Mega Evolution series, you'll encounter gold Mega Evolution Pokémon ex with their own rarity: Mega Hyper Rare. The symbol is a gold four-pointed star with a black outline.

You should distinguish this category from the three gold stars of the previous Hyper Rares. A Mega Pokémon ex is also not automatically Mega Hyper Rare: It can also appear in other rarities.

Mega Attack Rare: Rare, Mega Attack

The Mega Evolution – Heroes of the Past expansion introduced cards of the rarity “rare, Mega Attack.” They show Mega Pokémon in dynamic illustrations, with the attack name incorporated as a striking design element. 

The abbreviation is MAR. One pink and one green star mark this category. Despite the shared “Mega” in the name, it is a different rarity than Mega Hyper Rare.

Holo and Reverse Holo: Shiny is not its own ranking

This is where confusion often arises: The rarity level and the holographic finish of a card are two different features.

• Holo: On classic holo cards, the image area is primarily shiny. Newer cards may have additional holographic areas.
• Reverse Holo: On classic reverse cards, the area outside the image frame is primarily shiny. The exact pattern depends on the expansion.
• Parallel card: An additional version of a card, often with a different foil pattern or a special marking.

A card with a black circle can therefore also appear as a Reverse Holo. The circle remains because its printed rarity level does not change as a result.

And what about Poké Ball and Master Ball patterns?

In certain expansions, there are parallel cards with Poké Ball or Master Ball patterns, for example in Prismatic Evolutions. These patterns are interesting to collectors, but they do not form additional levels of the general star scale.

You therefore always need the exact combination of expansion, card number, and variant for comparison. Two cards can carry the same number and the same rarity symbol and still be different versions.

Full Art, Alt Art, and Secret Rare: What do these terms mean?

In videos, trade groups, and product lists, official categories and collector terms are often mixed. You should know these three terms:

• Full Art: The illustration extends across a large part or the entire card. This primarily describes the design.
• Alt Art: Short for “Alternative Art,” meaning an alternative illustration. This term is particularly common with older Pokémon V cards.
• Secret Rare: A common collector term for cards whose number goes beyond the regular set count.

If a card says, for example, 203/198, its number is above the stated regular card count. However, you cannot deduce from this whether it is an IR, SIR, Ultra Rare, or another special category. For that, you also check the symbol.

Subsets with their own numbering have different special features again. A TG or GG card does not need to have a higher number before the slash to be a special collector's card.

Older Pokémon Cards: Why a Star Does Not Always Mean the Same Thing

Today's classification cannot be applied unchanged to earlier series. Older Pokémon ex, Pokémon EX, Pokémon GX, Pokémon V, VMAX, or VSTAR do not automatically use the modern double-star symbols.

Terminology in card lists can also differ. If you want to identify an older card, the official card list of its expansion and the exact card number are particularly helpful.

You'll Frequently Encounter These Older Collector Terms

• Rainbow Rare: Rainbow-colored cards, particularly well known from Sun & Moon and Sword & Shield.
• Gold Rare: A colloquial term for gold cards from different series. The exact rarity depends on the respective edition.
• Shiny Pokémon: Special cards with alternatively colored Pokémon. They are not generally equivalent to modern Shiny rarities.
• Gold Star: Historic Pokémon cards with a gold star directly next to the Pokémon's name. This is different from the gold rarity star of a modern IR.
• Radiant Pokémon: Cards known as Radiant Pokémon from Sword & Shield with their own design and special deck-building rule.
• Amazing Rare: Cards you can recognize by a colorful background and a stylized A as the rarity symbol.
• Trainer Gallery and Galar Gallery: Special card areas with TG or GG numbering. A gallery can contain several card types and rarities.

There are also historic special features such as Crystal Pokémon, Pokémon Prime, Pokémon LEGEND, Pokémon LV.X, TURBO Pokémon, and Prima Star cards. These are their own card concepts or special versions of their time, not additional levels of a single continuous rarity ladder.

Correctly Classifying Promo Cards and First Editions

You can recognize a Black Star promo card by the black star with the inscription “PROMO.” It comes from its own promo series and can, for example, be included with a product or distributed during a promotion.

Other promotions can be regular set cards with a special stamp. Therefore, promo does not automatically mean rare or valuable. It is also crucial how the specific card was distributed.

A first edition stamp on older cards describes the print run. It does not replace the rarity symbol. A common card from the first edition remains a common card in terms of its printed rarity.

Japanese Abbreviations: AR, SAR, and SR Briefly Explained

On Japanese cards, you will frequently encounter letter abbreviations instead of the international symbols explained here. You will see these especially often:

• C, U, and R: Common, Uncommon, and Rare.
• RR: Double Rare.
• AR: Art Rare.
• SAR: Special Art Rare.
• SR: Super Rare.
• UR: Ultra Rare.
• MUR: Mega Ultra Rare.

The terms are not simply word-for-word identical with the international categories. A Japanese SAR is often classified as an SIR in a corresponding international release. On the other hand, you should not equate “UR” with the two silver stars of a modern German Ultra Rare without checking.

Therefore, always compare Japanese cards with the card list of their Japanese set. Not every illustration appears internationally in exactly the same form.

Which Boosters Contain Which Rarities?

That depends on the expansion. A set featuring Shimmering Pokémon offers different highlights than an expansion with Mega Attack cards or a Trainer Gallery. So, first check the card list of the set that actually contains your desired card.

You should also distinguish the product type from the card's rarity:

• Pokémon Booster Packs offer random card content.
• Pokémon Displays contain several booster packs, but do not automatically guarantee a specific SIR or other desired card.
• Pokémon Top Trainer Boxes combine boosters with accessories and, depending on the product, an included promo card.
• Pokémon Collections may include fixed cards. What exactly is included is stated in the respective product description.

A Top Trainer Box does not automatically offer better odds per booster just because it is a box. An included promo card is also different from a random pull from a pack.

In our Pokémon TCG selection, you can explore the right products for your next collection. From the selection on the collection page, you can go directly to boosters, displays, trainer boxes, and other product types.

Pulled a rare card: Is it automatically worth a lot?

The rarity symbol tells you the category within the set. You cannot determine a fixed price from it. Demand, condition, language, illustration, and the specific edition also play a role.

A popular illustration card may be in higher demand than a card with a seemingly higher rarity. Likewise, a common card may be your best pull of the day because your favorite Pokémon is finally included.

If you want to compare a find, note the Pokémon name, expansion, full card number, language, and holo variant. Then protect the card with a suitable sleeve before placing it in your binder.

A few more questions before the next booster?

What do two stars on a Pokémon card mean?

The color makes the difference: Two black stars stand for double rare, two silver stars for ultra rare, and two gold stars for a rare, special illustration. Sparkle stars with a border and differently colored star pairs belong to other special categories.

Is every Full Art card an SIR?

No. Ultra Rares, Illustration Rares, and other special cards can also feature full-page illustrations. You can recognize a modern SIR by two gold stars.

Is Reverse Holo rarer than Holo?

This cannot be answered for all sets and cards. Holo and Reverse Holo describe different foil finishes. To classify it, you need the specific expansion and card.

What is the rarest Pokémon card tier?

There is no single answer that applies to all series. Some modern sets contain Mega Hyper Rares, while others have completely different top categories. Even within a rarity tier, the odds of getting a specific card may depend on the respective set.

How many rarities are there in Pokémon?

A single number for the entire trading card game would be misleading. Series, languages, and special editions use different systems. Our overview bundles 14 important international rarity categories from newer series and additionally explains older collecting terms and variants.

What does a Pokémon card without a rarity symbol mean?

This is not automatically an error or a fake. Certain Energy, Promo, and special cards may appear without the usual symbol. Compare the exact edition with a reliable card list.

Whether you would trade homework for boosters, fill your first binder, or have been collecting for a long time: By looking at the symbol, card number, and variant, you can classify your next finds much more easily. Enjoy discovering! ⚡