Pokémon card rarity symbols and what they mean
The small symbol in the bottom corner of a card shows its rarity. A circle is common, a diamond is uncommon and a star is rare. Since 2023, extra stars and colors mark the rarer cards above that.
Which symbol is on your card?
Circle
Common.
- The most printed cards in a set.
- Several come in every pack.
- Most are worth cents. The reverse holo copy is worth a little more.
Diamond
Uncommon.
- Three or so come in every pack.
- Trainer cards that players want can carry a price.
One black star
Rare.
- One rare or better comes in every pack.
- In sets since 2023 every rare is a holo.
Two black stars
Double rare.
- The standard ex cards.
- Collectors report about one pack in seven.
Two silver stars
Ultra rare.
- Full art ex cards and full art trainers.
- The art covers the whole card and the surface has a fine texture.
One gold star
Illustration rare.
- A full card painting of a Pokémon in a scene.
- Among the most collected cards in modern sets.
Two gold stars
Special illustration rare.
- The top art card of an ex or a trainer.
- These are the cards that set the price of a booster box.
Three gold stars
Hyper rare.
- Printed in gold from border to border.
- Numbered above the set total.
A star and the word PROMO
Promo.
- Given out in boxes, tins and at events.
- Not found in booster packs.
- Circle is common, diamond is uncommon, one black star is rare.
- Two black stars is a double rare. Two silver stars is an ultra rare.
- Gold stars mark the art cards: one, two or three, rising in rarity.
- A card numbered above the set total is a secret rare.
- Rarity is not value. The Pokémon and the artwork decide what collectors pay.
Where to find the symbol
Look along the bottom of the card, beside the card number.
- Cards since 2023: bottom left, after the set code and the number.
- Older cards: bottom right, beside the number.
Every symbol in current sets
One of each, from the 151 set. Press a card for its price today.
CommonBlack circle
UncommonBlack diamond
RareOne black star
Double rareTwo black stars
Ultra rareTwo silver stars
Illustration rareOne gold starSpecial illustration rareTwo gold stars
Hyper rareThree gold stars| Symbol | Rarity | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Black circle | Common | The base cards of a set. |
| Black diamond | Uncommon | Middle evolutions and most trainer cards. |
| One black star | Rare | Holo cards. One or better in every pack. |
| Two black stars | Double rare | Standard ex cards. |
| Two silver stars | Ultra rare | Full art ex and trainer cards. |
| One gold star | Illustration rare | Full card art of a Pokémon in a scene. |
| Two gold stars | Special illustration rare | The top art version of an ex or a trainer. |
| Three gold stars | Hyper rare | Gold cards. |
| Pink star | ACE SPEC rare | Strong trainer cards. A deck can hold only one. |
| Black star with PROMO | Promo | Cards from boxes, tins and events. |
Confirmed
- Pokémon set these symbols in 2023, with the Scarlet and Violet sets.
- A promo card carries a black star and the word PROMO.
Reported, not confirmed
- Mega Evolution sets add a gold Mega Hyper Rare at the top. Collectors report about one in a thousand packs.
- Some Mega sets hold a Mega Attack Rare: a full art card in a pop art style.
Older names you will hear
| Name | Years | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Holo rare | 1999 on | A rare with a shiny picture. |
| Reverse holo | 2002 on | Shine over the whole card but the picture. |
| EX, GX, V and VMAX | 2003 to 2023 | The strong Pokémon of each era, each with its own card style. |
| Full art | 2011 on | Art across the whole card. |
| Rainbow rare | 2017 to 2022 | A full art card in rainbow colors. |
| Alternate art | 2021 to 2023 | A second, scenic artwork of a V or VMAX card. |
| Secret rare | 1999 on | Any card numbered above the set total. |
Why rarity is not value
Rarity tells you how many were printed. It does not tell you how many people want one.
- A special illustration rare of a loved Pokémon can sell for hundreds.
- One of a little known trainer from the same set can sell for the price of a pack.
- Check the card's own page before you trade or sell.
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Common questions
What do the symbols on Pokémon cards mean?
They show rarity. A circle is common, a diamond is uncommon and a star is rare. Two stars, silver stars and gold stars mark the rarer cards in sets since 2023.
What is the rarest type of Pokémon card?
In current sets the gold cards and the special illustration rares are the hardest to pull. Collectors report about one special illustration rare in every 90 packs.
Is a star on a Pokémon card good?
One black star means rare, the lowest of the rare levels. Every pack holds one. Two stars or gold stars are the better pulls.
What does a card number higher than the set total mean?
It is a secret rare. A card numbered 215 of 198 sits above the main set. These are the art cards and the gold cards.
Does a first edition stamp change the rarity?
No. The stamp marks the first print run. The symbol stays the same, but a first edition copy sells for far more than a later one.
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