How to Tell If a Pokémon Card Is Rare: Symbols, Numbers & Rarities Explained
You’ve opened a Pokémon booster pack.
One card looks different from the others. It’s shiny. The artwork covers most of the card. There’s a strange symbol at the bottom.
And now comes the obvious question:
Is this Pokémon card actually rare?
Pokémon card rarity can be confusing, especially if you’re new to collecting. Symbols, card numbers, foil patterns and different rarity types can all give you clues — but a rare card isn't automatically an expensive card.
Here’s how to work out what you've pulled.
Where Is the Rarity Symbol on a Pokémon Card?
On modern Pokémon cards, look towards the bottom of the card, where you'll find information including the card number, set details and rarity marking.
Modern Pokémon TCG expansions use rarity symbols including circles, diamonds and stars, with different colours and combinations representing different rarity levels.
Older Pokémon cards use different systems, so the age of the card matters too.
Once you know where to look, identifying the basic rarity of a card becomes much easier.
What Do Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols Mean?
For modern Pokémon TCG cards, you may encounter several different rarity markings.
Circle – Common
A circle represents a Common card.
These make up many of the cards you'll encounter while opening Pokémon booster packs.
Diamond – Uncommon
A diamond represents an Uncommon card.
They're less common than standard Common cards but still regularly found in booster packs.
Star – Rare
A star indicates a Rare card.
But that's only the beginning.
Modern Pokémon sets contain several higher rarity levels, so simply seeing a star doesn't necessarily tell you the whole story.
What Do Black, White and Gold Stars Mean?
Modern Pokémon cards can use different star combinations and colours to distinguish higher rarities.
Depending on the expansion, you may see rarities including Double Rare, Illustration Rare, Ultra Rare, Special Illustration Rare and Hyper Rare.
The modern rarity system includes:
Two black stars — Double Rare
Typically associated with Pokémon ex cards.
One gold star — Illustration Rare
These cards feature special artwork and are particularly popular with collectors.
Two silver stars — Ultra Rare
This category includes certain full-art Pokémon ex and Trainer cards.
Two gold stars — Special Illustration Rare
Often shortened by collectors to SIR, these are among the major chase cards in many modern Pokémon sets.
Three gold stars — Hyper Rare
A high rarity tier used for particular cards within a set.
The exact cards and rarity distribution vary between Pokémon TCG expansions.
What Does a Pokémon Card Number Mean?
This is another useful clue.
Look near the bottom of a Pokémon card and you may see something like:
125/198
The first number identifies that particular card, while the second represents the numbered cards within the main set.
So card 125/198 is card number 125 in a set numbered to 198.
Simple enough.
Until Pokémon decides to give you something like:
203/198
Now things get interesting.
What Does It Mean When a Pokémon Card Number Is Higher Than the Set Number?
If the first number is higher than the advertised set number — for example 203/198 — the card sits beyond the main numbered portion of that expansion.
Collectors have traditionally referred to cards like these as Secret Rares, although modern Pokémon rarity terminology is more specific.
Depending on the era and set, these additional numbered cards may include Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares, Hyper Rares and other collectible variants.
So seeing a number higher than the set number is usually a good reason to take a closer look at what you've pulled.
What Is an Illustration Rare Pokémon Card?
Illustration Rare cards, often abbreviated to IR, place much greater emphasis on the artwork.
Rather than the more traditional card layout, the illustration can dominate the card and depict the Pokémon in a wider scene or environment.
They've become extremely popular with collectors because the artwork itself is often the main attraction.
And this is one of the reasons rarity and value shouldn't be treated as the same thing.
A collector may particularly want an Illustration Rare because they love its artwork or featured Pokémon, regardless of whether it's the most expensive card in the set.
What Is a Special Illustration Rare?
A Special Illustration Rare, commonly called an SIR, is another modern Pokémon TCG rarity.
These can feature Pokémon ex or Trainer cards with highly detailed alternative artwork.
For many modern sets, SIR cards include some of the expansion's most sought-after pulls.
You'll recognise the rarity marking by the two gold stars on the card.
Pull one and it's probably worth putting the Hobnobs down for a minute.
Holo vs Reverse Holo: What's the Difference?
This catches plenty of new collectors out.
A holographic card has foil treatment incorporated into particular areas of the card — traditionally the artwork area, although designs vary between eras.
A reverse holographic card applies the foil effect differently, generally outside the main illustration area.
Different Pokémon TCG eras have handled holographic cards differently, so you can't determine a card's rarity or value purely because it's shiny.
Shiny does not automatically mean expensive.
Unfortunately.
What Is a Pokémon Promo Card?
Promo cards are released separately from the normal numbered cards within an expansion.
You might receive them inside an Elite Trainer Box, Collection Box, blister pack or another promotional Pokémon TCG product.
These usually have their own identifying numbering or promotional marking.
Some promos become highly collectible, while others remain inexpensive.
Again, being a promotional card doesn't automatically make something valuable.
What About Older Pokémon Cards?
This is where things become particularly interesting.
Classic Pokémon TCG cards commonly use a simpler rarity system:
- Circle — Common
- Diamond — Uncommon
- Star — Rare
But older cards can also have characteristics such as 1st Edition stamps, different printings, holographic versions and set-specific features that affect how collectors identify them.
So if you've discovered an old Pokémon collection in a cupboard or loft, don't judge the cards purely by the rarity symbol.
Check the set, card number, edition, condition and exact version as well.
Does Rare Mean Valuable?
No.
This is probably the most important thing to understand.
Rarity is part of a card's official classification.
Value is determined by the market.
Two cards carrying similar rarity classifications can have completely different market values.
Factors that can affect a Pokémon card's value include:
- The Pokémon featured
- The particular artwork
- Collector demand
- The set
- Supply
- Card condition
- Whether the card is graded
- The grade received
- Current market activity
That's why identifying the rarity is only the first step when researching a card.
How Can I Check What My Pokémon Card Is Worth?
First, identify the card accurately.
Look for its Pokémon name, set name or set symbol, card number and rarity.
Then make sure you're comparing the exact same version of the card.
Condition matters enormously too. A clean Near Mint example shouldn't automatically be compared with a heavily played copy just because they share the same card number.
For graded cards, make sure you're comparing the same grading company and grade where possible.
Most importantly, look at recent actual sales, rather than assuming an ambitious asking price represents the card's real market value.
Someone listing a Pikachu for £10,000 doesn't mean somebody is actually buying it for £10,000.
We could list a Hobnob for £6,000.
It's still a Hobnob.
Start Exploring Pokémon Singles
Once you understand card numbers and rarity symbols, browsing Pokémon cards becomes considerably easier.
You can explore the current Pokémon Singles at Clifford TCG or browse our Graded Pokémon Cards to see cards from different sets, eras and rarity levels.
Whether you're chasing a Special Illustration Rare, filling the last spaces in a binder or simply collecting your favourite Pokémon, understanding what those tiny symbols and numbers mean is a good place to start.
Chase It. Collect It. Love It.