Whether you’re new to the world of Pokémon Trading Cards or getting back into it after a break (like I did!), one of the most important things to learn is how to recognize the rarity of a card. These tiny symbols at the bottom of every card can tell you a lot—like how common it is, whether it’s worth hanging onto, and how likely you are to pull another one.
I’m going to break down all the Pokémon card rarity symbols, what they mean, and how to spot them—so you can become a more informed collector and better understand the cards in your collection.
Skip all the jargon and jump to the Quick Reference Table of Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols.
Quick Point of Order
Any reference to how valuable a card is simply based on conjunecture. Ultimately a graded card is worth much more money than a raw one. However, it costs to get a card graded. Check out my FAQ for detailed answers regarding grading cards.
What Are Pokémon Rarity Symbols?
At the bottom right (or occasionally bottom center) of every Pokémon card, you’ll find a small symbol next to the card number. This is the rarity symbol, and it’s your key to identifying how hard a card is to find in a pack. Keep in mind that the rarity of the card doesn’t necessarily equate to a strong Pokémon that is useful for a battle deck.
There are three basic rarity levels and several advanced or special symbols introduced in later sets.
⭐ Basic Pokémon Rarity Symbols
🔘 Common | ●
- Symbol: Solid circle (●)
- Where it’s found: Most often on energy cards and basic Pokémon
- Pull rate: High – like I’m talking about, an easy 7-9 cards per pack can be common.
- Worth collecting?: Not typically high in value, but needed for complete sets. Don’t forget, a lot of common Pokémon still have strong moves making them solid choices for a battle deck.
🔷 Uncommon | ◆
- Symbol: Diamond (◆)
- Where it’s found: Trainer cards, evolved Pokémon, and support Pokémon
- Pull rate: Medium
- Worth collecting?: Some are valuable if part of a meta deck or from vintage sets
⭐ Rare | ★
- Symbol: Star (★)
- Where it’s found: Holographic or unique cards
- Pull rate: Low
- Worth collecting?: Yes! These can range from a few bucks to thousands of dollars. They can be worth buying as single cards as opposed to chasing them by ripping packs, especially from collection or deck-building perspective due to the scalping problem.
🌈 Beyond the Basics: Advanced Rarity Symbols and Variants
Naturally, every card that has an advanced rarity is worth collecting. For one, the Holo variants are always worth more in the long run than a basic Pokémon card. Any of the truly rare cards are not only going to be worth money, but some are even more powerful from a deck-building perspective, although I’d be careful when playing with them. As with all rare cards, make sure you take care of your collection; even if they aren’t worth much now, chances are, in the long term, they will be valuable to someone.
🌟 Holo Rare | ★ with a Holographic Background
- Also called “Holo Rares”, these cards have a shiny foil background behind the Pokémon artwork.
- Example: Holographic Machamp from Base Set
- Collector Tip: Often more sought-after than standard rares – some people build collections full of Holos. They are really snazzy to catch.
- I pulled a super nice Holo rare in my Cash Pulls Episode One.
✨ Reverse Holo
- The foil appears on everything except the artwork.
- Introduced in: Legendary Collection (2002)
- Can appear on commons, uncommons, and rares
- Some people seek them out, similar to the Holo rares; some are worth more than others, and it depends on a majority of factors. For example, ones that have a Pokéball in the reverse holo tend to be worth more. I personally think they look even nicer than a standard Holo rare.
⭐ Rare Holo EX / GX / V / VMAX / VSTAR
- These represent powerful Pokémon mechanics in modern sets.
- Often feature full-art or textured designs.
- Where it’s found: They can be found in a variety of places, such as special boxes, events, pre-release kits, and even booster packs.
- Symbols may include: Black Star, no symbol, or special gold foil stamps
- Depending on the Pokémon, they can be worth a nice penny. They are really strong so that they can be super useful for deck building.
💠 Promo Cards – ★ with “Promo” Label
- Where it’s found: Special boxes, events, pre-release kits
- Symbol: Black star with “PROMO”
- Collector Tip: Some promo cards become very rare over time (like pre-release Clefable).
🏆 Ultra Rare, Secret Rare & Beyond
🌈 Ultra Rare
- Includes EX, GX, V, VMAX, VSTAR, and Radiant cards
- Usually full-art with unique textures
- Double white/silver star on the bottom left-hand corner of the card
- Example: Mewtwo VSTAR from Crown Zenith
🌟 Secret Rare – ★ with Numbering Above the Set
- How to identify: Card number is higher than the set number (e.g., 203/198)
- May include alternate arts, gold cards, or rainbow rares
- Example: Gold Rare Pikachu from Celebrations
- Pull rate: Extremely low
- Collector Tip: These are among the most valuable modern Pokémon cards.
🌈 Rainbow Rare / Hyper Rare
- Feature rainbow foil artwork
- Typically Secret Rares
- They were introduced during the Sun & Moon era, making them super hard to find now.
- Example: Rainbow Rare Charizard GX
💛 Gold Rare
- Feature gold foil and borders
- They can be Pokémon, Trainer, or Energy cards
- They can be found as promos in some collection sets, too, making certain cards not worth as much as others.
- They are highly collectible because of how uncommon they are in the wild.
Quick Reference Table of Pokémon Card Rarity Symbols
| Symbol | Rarity Type | Description |
| ● | Common | Basic cards found frequently |
| ◆ | Uncommon | Slightly rarer cards |
| ★ | Rare | Harder to pull, more powerful |
| ★ Holo | Holo Rare | Shiny artwork background |
| — | Reverse Holo | Shiny outside artwork |
| ★ Promo | Promotional | Special edition cards |
| ⭐⭐ | Ultra/Secret Rare | High-end chase cards |
Resources to Check Rarity and Value
If you want to verify your cards or check what they’re worth, here are a few great tools I use regularly:
- TCGPlayer – Current market values by card
- PriceCharting – Pokémon card value tracker
- eBay Sold Listings – Real-world selling prices
- Pokémon Card Database – Advanced filters and set browsing
Understanding Pokémon Card Rarity Will Make You A Knowledgable Collector.
The first step to becoming a knowledgeable collector is understanding Pokémon card rarity. Whether you’re just ripping packs for fun or building a long-term collection, knowing the difference between a common and a secret rare can help you appreciate your cards—and avoid accidentally giving away something valuable!
There are many reasons you might want to collect. I started collecting again because I wanted to fulfill that childhood goal of catching them all. But don’t get me wrong, the thrill of seeing that shiny card slide out of a pack is a nice rush. I also recently got into playing the game and have learned that while it’s always a thrill to catch a rare, the joy can easily be in strong moves, catching complete evolutions, and the beautiful artwork each card presents. So pay attention to the details—the rarity symbols, the artwork, and the trends- and find joy for yourself.
If you’re on the same journey, I hope this guide helped! Got a question or card you want help identifying? Drop a comment below or hit me up on @CashEmAllPulls on social media.
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