📰 Pokémon Card Rarity Explained – All Symbols & Meaning (Complete Guide)

Published by poketcg.in – India’s Trusted Pokémon TCG Store

If you're new to the Pokémon Trading Card Game or even a long-time collector, understanding card rarity symbols is the most important step in identifying valuable cards. Whether you're looking to invest, collect, or simply enjoy opening booster packs, this complete guide from poketcg.in breaks down every rarity symbol, what it means, and how to spot rare, ultra-rare, and secret rare Pokémon cards.

This is the ultimate 2025 rarity guide, crafted to rank high in Google search and strengthen your website’s authority.

⭐ What Are Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols?

Every Pokémon card comes with a small icon at the bottom corner.
This symbol tells you how rare the card is.

There are three main categories:

Common Cards (●)

Uncommon Cards (◆)

Rare Cards (★)

But in modern Pokémon sets, there are more than 15 rarity types, including Ultra Rare, Illustration Rare, Secret Rare, Hyper Rare, and more.

Below, we break down all rarity symbols with pictures, descriptions, and value comparisons.

📘 Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols (With Meaning & Examples)

1️⃣ Common (●)

Symbol: ● Black Circle
These are the most basic cards found in almost every booster pack. Usually contain simple moves.

Found In: Every booster
Value: Low
Beginners Tip: Great for deck-building, not for investing.

2️⃣ Uncommon (◆)

Symbol: ◆ Black Diamond
Slightly stronger than common cards; contains special moves.

Found In: Booster packs (around 3 per pack)
Value: Low–Medium

3️⃣ Rare (★)

Symbol: ★ Black Star
Standard rare cards, usually holographic or non-holo variants.

Found In: 1 per booster pack
Value: Medium (depends on the Pokémon)

🌟 Advanced Rarity Types Explained

4️⃣ Holo Rare (★ Holo)

Symbol: ★ but card has a shiny foil background.

Value: Medium–High
Examples: Starter evolutions, popular Pokémon lines.

5️⃣ Reverse Holo

Symbol: stays the same (● / ◆ / ★), but the card background shines, not the Pokémon.

Value: Medium
Collector Favourite: Completing Reverse Holo Master Sets.

6️⃣ Double Rare (★★)

Symbol: Two Black Stars
Introduced in Scarlet & Violet.

Value: Higher than standard rare.

7️⃣ Ultra Rare (Illustration Foil)

Symbol: ★ but artwork extends beyond borders.
Includes ex, V, GX, and older EX cards.

Value: High
Pull Rate: Harder to find
Best For: Collectors & investors

8️⃣ Illustration Rare (Art Rare)

Symbol: Single Gold Star (★) but with full-art illustration.
Highly artistic versions of regular Pokémon.

Value: High
Collector Popularity: Very high

9️⃣ Special Illustration Rare (SAR / SIR)

Symbol: Two Gold Stars (★★)
Premium full-art story-style cards. These showcase detailed scenes.

Value: Very High
Examples: Iono SIR, Charizard SIR, Pikachu SIR

📊 Pokémon Card Rarity Value Chart (2025)

Rarity Type Difficulty Value Good for Investment?
Common Easy Low
Uncommon Easy Low
Rare Medium Medium ⚠️
Holo Rare Medium Medium ⚠️
Double Rare Hard Medium–High
Ultra Rare Hard High
Illustration Rare Hard High ✔✔
Special Illustration Rare Very Hard Very High ⭐✔
Secret Rare Very Hard Premium ⭐⭐✔
Hyper Rare Extremely Hard Premium ⭐⭐⭐✔
Shiny Rare Hard Very High ⭐✔

🛒 Where to Buy Authentic Pokémon Cards in India?

For genuine Pokémon booster packs, singles, and premium collections, trust:

👉 poketcg.in – India’s Most Trusted Pokémon TCG Store

Millions of collectors rely on poketcg.in for:

✔ 100% authentic cards
✔ Best prices in India
✔ Fast shipping
✔ Rare sets from Japan, Korea, China, and English releases
✔ Expert support & guides

1. What are Pokémon card rarity symbols?

Pokémon card rarity symbols are small icons printed at the bottom of a card that indicate how common or valuable the card is. These include Common (●), Uncommon (◆), Rare (★), and advanced rarities like Ultra Rare, Illustration Rare, and Secret Rare.

2. How do I identify a Rare card in the Pokémon TCG?

A Rare Pokémon card is marked with a black star (★) at the bottom corner. Some Rare cards may also come in holographic, reverse holo, or full-art versions.

3. What is the rarest type of Pokémon card?

As of 2025, Hyper Rare, Special Illustration Rare (SIR), and Secret Rare cards are the rarest. These cards feature special textures, gold foil, and premium artwork.

4. What is the difference between Holo Rare and Reverse Holo?

A Holo Rare has a shiny background behind the Pokémon artwork.
A Reverse Holo makes the entire card shine except the Pokémon.

5. What does Double Rare mean in Scarlet & Violet sets?

Double Rare cards, marked with two black stars (★★), are powerful Pokémon cards introduced in the Scarlet & Violet TCG era. These are harder to pull than standard rares.

6. Are Secret Rare cards worth more?

Yes. Secret Rare cards have card numbers that exceed the set number (e.g., 225/198) and often feature gold foil or special artwork. They are highly valuable for collectors.

7. What are Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare cards?

Illustration Rare cards showcase full-art artwork with story-style scenes.
Special Illustration Rare (SIR) cards expand on this with premium textures and two gold stars (★★), making them extremely rare.

8. What is the best rarity for investors?

Collectors and investors prefer:

Special Illustration Rares (SIR)

Secret Rares

Hyper Rares

Ultra Rares
These offer the strongest long-term value.

9. How do I know if a Pokémon card is valuable?

Value depends on rarity, Pokémon popularity, condition, set, print run, and artwork. Cards with ★★ or golden ★ symbols are often the most valuable.

10. Where can I buy authentic Pokémon cards in India?

For 100% genuine Pokémon TCG products, visit poketcg.in — India’s trusted destination for Pokémon booster packs, boxes, and rare cards.

11. How many rarity types exist in Pokémon TCG?

Modern sets include over 15 rarity categories, such as Common, Uncommon, Rare, Double Rare, Ultra Rare, Illustration Rare, SIR, Shiny Rare, and Secret Rare.

12. Are Reverse Holo cards rare?

Reverse Holos are not extremely rare, but collectors love them for completing master sets. Some Reverse Holos can be valuable depending on the Pokémon.

13. Do Japanese and English Pokémon cards have different rarity symbols?

Yes. Japanese cards often use the same base symbols but may include special set-specific rarities and print textures that differ from English versions.

14. What does the “Promo” rarity mean?

Promo cards include a black star with “PROMO” text and are exclusive to boxes, tins, or special releases. Some promo cards can become highly valuable.

15. Which rarities have the highest pull rate?

Commons and Uncommons appear frequently. Rarities with the lowest pull rates include:

Secret Rare

Hyper Rare

SIR

Gold cards

🏆 Final Words

Understanding rarity is the key to becoming a smarter collector, investor, and player.
Now that you know all symbols and their meanings, explore genuine Pokémon cards at:

👉 poketcg.in — Your Pokémon Journey Starts Here

 

Back to blog