Where to find the rarity symbol
On almost every Pokémon card there's a tiny symbol in the bottom corner (bottom-left on older cards, bottom-right on most modern ones), usually next to the card number like '4/102'. That symbol is the card's rarity. Learn to read it and you can tell at a glance whether a card is a bulk common or a chase rare — no app required. (A few special cards, like full-art secret rares, place the symbol differently or stretch the art over it.)
The classic three: circle, diamond, star
For most of the game's history, three symbols covered the basics. A black circle (●) means Common — the most-printed cards, the backbone of every set. A black diamond (◆) means Uncommon — a step up, slightly harder to pull. A black star (★) means Rare — the top of the standard pull, one guaranteed per pack in older sets. These three still appear on modern cards too.
Holo Rare — and a big Scarlet & Violet change
A Rare card with a shiny, reflective background behind the Pokémon was traditionally called a Holo Rare (same black star, but foil). Here's the key modern update: starting with the Scarlet & Violet era (2023), every Rare is holographic. There's no longer a separate 'Holo Rare' tier — all black-star Rares are foil now. Commons, Uncommons, and Rares can also come as Reverse Holos (officially 'Parallel foil'), where the card shines everywhere except the artwork.
The modern Scarlet & Violet rarities
To clean up years of fan-made nicknames, Scarlet & Violet added five new official symbols. Two black stars (★★) = Double Rare — the standard Pokémon ex cards. Two silver stars = Ultra Rare — full-art ex and full-art Supporters. One gold star = Illustration Rare (IR) — special full-art versions of regular Pokémon, prized for their art. Two gold stars = Special Illustration Rare (SIR, 'SAR' in Japan) — the premium full-card alternate-art ex and Supporters, some of the most desirable cards in the game. Three gold stars = Hyper Rare — the textured gold cards that close out a set.
Secret rares, promos & beyond
A 'secret rare' isn't its own symbol — it's any card numbered higher than the set's advertised size (e.g. card 201/198). Ultra Rares, Special Illustration Rares, and Hyper Rares are all secret rares. Promo cards carry a black star with the word 'PROMO' and aren't pulled from regular packs — they come from events, boxes, and tie-ins. The system also keeps growing: newer eras have introduced their own special symbols, so when in doubt, check the card number against the set size.
How to use this when you collect
Rarity is the fastest first filter for value, but it isn't the whole story — artwork, the specific Pokémon, and condition matter just as much (a gold-star Charizard SIR dwarfs a Hyper Rare of an unpopular Pokémon). Use the symbol to spot which cards deserve a sleeve or a one-touch magnetic holder, and which are fine going straight into a binder page. For the cards worth the most, see our most-valuable rankings.