When you first start collecting Pokémon cards, one of the first mysteries you’ll run into is that tiny symbol at the bottom of the card — the little circle, diamond, or star next to the card number. It’s easy to miss, but that tiny mark tells you a lotabout how rare your card is and, in many cases, how valuable it might be.
I remember opening my first pack and thinking every shiny card had to be rare. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. Some were just common holos that show up all the time. Learning the difference between common, uncommon, rare, and special rare cards helped me understand why some packs felt “meh” while others felt like a jackpot.
So, if you’re just starting out like me, let’s go through what those symbols mean and how you can tell what’s truly special about the cards you pull.
The Basics: Common, Uncommon, and Rare
If you flip your card sideways and look at the bottom left or bottom right corner (depending on the set), you’ll see one of these:
- ⚫ Black Circle – Common
- ◆ Black Diamond – Uncommon
- ★ Black Star – Rare
That’s the starting point.
- Common cards are your basic Pokémon — think early evolutions or the everyday ones you’ll see in almost every pack (like Lechonk, Pikachu, or Magikarp).
- Uncommon cards are a step up — middle evolutions, useful trainer cards, or items.
- Rare cards are where you start to find the flashy stuff — final evolutions, powerful Pokémon, or special abilities.
But that’s just the surface. Modern Pokémon sets have taken rarity way beyond the little star.
The Modern Rarity System (Scarlet & Violet Era)
If you’re collecting current sets (like Scarlet & Violet, 151, or Obsidian Flames), you’ll notice that the rarity system expanded — and it’s actually easier to read once you understand it.
Here’s how it breaks down:
SymbolRarity TypeWhat You’ll See★RareUsually a holo Pokémon★★Double Rare“ex” cards — strong, shiny Pokémon with full art★★★Ultra RareFull art Pokémon ex or Trainer cards★★★★Illustration RareBeautiful, full-art scenes that show a Pokémon in its environment★★★★★Special Illustration RarePremium cards — often showing both Pokémon and their TrainerGold ★Hyper or Secret RareGold or metallic cards with extremely limited pulls
Breaking It Down in Plain Language
Let’s put those symbols into real-world collecting terms.
- ★ Rare: The standard shiny Pokémon you’ll see in most packs. Usually a foil background with the art contained inside a box.
- ★★ Double Rare: These are the Pokémon ex cards — thicker, textured, and often featuring a 3D look. You’ll usually get one or two of these in an Elite Trainer Box.
- ★★★ Ultra Rare: These are the first real “wow” cards. Full artwork covers the entire card, and you can feel the texture when you touch it.
- ★★★★ Illustration Rare: These are some of the most beautiful cards in modern Pokémon. Artists get creative — showing Pokémon in forests, towns, or doing everyday things. The art tells a story.
- ★★★★★ Special Illustration Rare: These are the big chases in most sets. Often they show a bond between a Trainer and Pokémon — detailed, textured, and limited.
- Gold or Secret Rares: The top-tier cards, printed in gold foil or rainbow color. They often feature legendary Pokémon or special Trainer items.
If you’ve ever heard someone say, “I pulled an SAR,” they’re talking about a Special Illustration Rare, and that’s usually a reason to celebrate.
How to Find the Rarity Symbol
Look at the bottom left corner of the card (in Scarlet & Violet) or the bottom right (in older sets). You’ll see the card number and symbol like this:
215/198 ★★★★★
That means it’s the 215th card in a set that officially has 198 cards — so it’s a Secret Rare. Anything numbered higher than the set number means it’s beyond the normal checklist — that’s what makes it “secret.”
Texture, Shine, and Feel — The Physical Clues
One of the best things about collecting Pokémon cards today is how much feel goes into the design.
- Full Art cards have a smooth but raised texture you can feel under your fingers.
- Rainbow Rares (in older Sword & Shield sets) shimmer like oil on water.
- Gold cards look metallic and have a heavier embossed texture.
So if you open a pack and a card feels different — congratulations, you probably pulled something good.
Do Rarity and Value Always Match?
Not necessarily.
Just because a card has five stars doesn’t mean it’s worth hundreds of dollars.
Value depends on:
- Popularity of the Pokémon (Charizard, Pikachu, and Eevee always lead the pack)
- Condition (no scratches, clean corners, centered printing)
- Demand (some full art cards just capture hearts — others don’t)
- Grading (PSA 10 or CGC 10 cards always fetch more)
Sometimes, a simple Rare Pikachu is worth more than a fancier card of a lesser-known Pokémon — because people love Pikachu.
A Quick Example: Comparing Pulls
Imagine you open two packs.
- Pack 1: You pull a ★ Rare Pidgeot holo.
- Pack 2: You pull a ★★★★ Illustration Rare of Snorlax lounging under a tree.
Even though both are technically “rare,” the Snorlax will likely be more valuable because of its rarity level, full-art illustration, and limited pull rate.
That’s the difference understanding rarity makes — it turns random packs into exciting discoveries.
Why Learning Rarity Makes Collecting More Fun
Before I learned these symbols, opening packs was fun, but random. Now, every time I open one, I feel like I’m reading the story behind the pack — noticing the subtle differences, appreciating the art styles, and recognizing when I’ve actually found something special.
Understanding rarities gives collecting depth. It makes you slow down, look closer, and appreciate the design and creativity that goes into every card — not just the valuable ones.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just getting started with Pokémon cards, don’t worry if the rarity system feels confusing at first. Everyone starts there.
Keep a few of your favorite pulls handy and look for those little symbols at the bottom. Over time, you’ll start to recognize the difference between a standard rare and something truly special — and when that moment comes, you’ll know it’s not just luck; it’s part of the fun of learning the hobby.
Because the truth is, collecting Pokémon cards isn’t just about catching them all — it’s about understanding what you’ve caught.