Pokémon TCG rarities explained: from Double Rare to Special Illustration Rare
Every Pokémon card carries a small rarity symbol near its collector number. Since the Scarlet & Violet series, the system has been clearer than ever. Here is how to read it.
The basics
- Common: a black circle.
- Uncommon: a black diamond.
- Rare: a single black star. In modern sets, every Rare is holographic.
The big hits
- Double Rare (two black stars): the standard Pokémon ex of a set.
- Ultra Rare (two silver stars): full-art Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, with textured foil.
- Illustration Rare (one gold star): a full-card illustration of a Pokémon in its world. A collector favorite.
- Special Illustration Rare (two gold stars): the most sought-after illustrations of a set, for Pokémon ex and Supporters.
- Hyper Rare (three gold stars): embossed gold cards.
Some sets also include ACE SPEC cards, powerful Trainer and Energy cards with a distinctive pink design, reintroduced in Temporal Forces.
Secret rares
When a card number is higher than the official set size, for example 201/198, the card is a secret rare. Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares and Hyper Rares all sit beyond the numbered set.
What this means for sealed collectors
The appeal of a set, and of its sealed products, often comes down to its top illustrations. That is why sets with beloved Special Illustration Rares tend to stay in demand long after they leave the shelves.
