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Pokémon card rarity symbols

Updated: 2026-10-15

The rarity symbol is in the bottom corner of a Pokémon card, next to the number. A circle is common, a diamond is uncommon and a star is rare. Recent sets add double, silver and gold stars for the hardest cards to pull. Rarity isn't the same as price, but it tells you a lot about what you have.

The basic symbols

Symbol	Rarity	What it usually is
●	Common	The cards you pull most in each pack.
◆	Uncommon	A bit less frequent.
★	Rare	At least one per pack in most sets. Can be non-holo or holo.

These three have been around since the start of the game. Everything else has changed from era to era.

Holo rare

A holo rare carries the same star symbol, but with holographic artwork. The symbol doesn't mark it, the finish does. Don't confuse it with a reverse holo, which can be any rarity: we explain it in holo vs reverse holo.

Scarlet & Violet era rarities

Since the Scarlet & Violet sets (2023), the high rarities have their own symbols:

Symbol	Rarity	What it is
★★ black	Double Rare	Usually the "ex" cards with their regular art.
★★ silver	Ultra Rare	Full art versions of Pokémon ex and Trainers.
★ gold	Illustration Rare	Pokémon with artwork covering the whole card, often showing a scene.
★★ gold	Special Illustration Rare	Special illustrations of ex and Trainers. Usually the most sought-after cards in the set.
★★★ gold	Hyper Rare	The gold cards. The hardest to pull in many sets.

Some sets add their own rarities (shiny cards or set-specific specials, for example) with their own symbol. If you see one that isn't here, check that set's official list.

Before Scarlet & Violet

In earlier eras (Sun & Moon, Sword & Shield…), almost every rare used the same black star, whether it was a regular holo, a V, a full art or a gold card. To tell which, look at the number: if it's higher than the set total (for example, 205/192), it's a secret rare. We explain it in how to read a card number.

Promos

Promo cards don't come in regular packs: they come in boxes, events, magazines or special collections. They carry a promo mark instead of the usual rarity symbol and their own numbering. Some are very common; others, from specific events, are very hard to find.

Japanese cards: rarity in letters

Japanese cards show rarity with letters instead of symbols:

Code	Roughly equivalent to
C / U / R	Common, uncommon and rare.
RR / RRR	ex/V cards and higher versions.
SR	Super Rare, usually full art.
AR	Art Rare, the illustration rare.
SAR	Special Art Rare, the special illustration rare.
UR	Ultra Rare, usually the gold cards.

The equivalences aren't exact in every set, because Japanese and English sets don't always contain the same cards.

Rarity isn't price

• A rare of a popular Pokémon can be worth more than an ultra rare of one nobody wants.
• Cards from heavily printed sets are worth less than those from short sets, even at the same rarity.
• Condition rules: a special illustration rare with a crease is worth far less than a perfect one.

For the real price, check its price page or read how much a Pokémon card is worth. To see which rarities dominate the top, here are the most expensive Pokémon cards.

Identify it with a photo

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