On a Pokémon card, the small symbol near the collector number shows its rarity: a circle means Common, a diamond means Uncommon, and a star means Rare. Newer sets add many more rarity tiers on top, such as Double Rare, Ultra Rare, and Illustration Rare, but the basic symbols are the same.
The three classic symbols
You’ll find the symbol at the bottom corner of the card, next to the set number.
| Symbol | Rarity | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| ● Black circle | Common | The most plentiful cards in a set |
| ◆ Black diamond | Uncommon | Less common than commons |
| ★ Black star | Rare | The rarest of the basic tiers |
A plain star can hide a wide range of cards: from ordinary rares worth little to strong holos worth a lot. That’s why rarity is a starting point, never a price.
Variations on the star
Many sets add extra words and star styles:
- Rare Holo: a rare card with a holographic art window.
- Rare Holo EX / GX / V / VMAX / VSTAR: special mechanics cards that appear in various eras. Their rarity is higher than a normal holo, and they’re often more valuable.
- Double Rare, Ultra Rare, Hyper Rare: modern tiers that denote full-art, textured, or gold cards, typically with one or two stars or a gold look.
- Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare: cards where the artwork extends beyond the usual frame to tell a small scene. Special Illustration Rares are among the most sought-after modern cards.
- Secret Rare: a card numbered beyond the printed set total. For example,
215/203means it’s an extra card not counted in the main set. - Promo: usually marked with a different symbol or a “PROMO” label, with its own numbering.
The names and symbols change between eras, so older and newer sets don’t always match perfectly.
Does higher rarity mean higher price?
Often, but not always. A card’s price depends on rarity, but also:
- The Pokémon. Fan favorites such as Charizard, Pikachu, and Eevee evolutions can be worth many times a similar-rarity card of a lesser-known Pokémon.
- Artwork. Beloved illustrations drive demand.
- Playability. A card that’s strong in competitive play is valued for use as well as for collecting.
- Print run and era. Vintage scarcity pushes prices up.
- Condition. See the condition guide.
So a Common of a cult-favorite Pokémon can outsell a Rare of an unpopular one. Always check the actual market price, as covered in how to find a Pokémon card’s value.
Rarity vs. finish
Rarity and finish aren’t the same thing. A Common can come in a reverse holo version, where the card’s body is foil but the art isn’t. That’s a finish option, not a rarity change. See holo vs reverse holo vs 1st Edition for how finishes affect price.
Rarity beyond the symbol
For a quick sense of how rare a card really is, check:
- The set total versus the card number. A number higher than the total means an extra “secret” card.
- The card name suffix like EX, V, or VMAX.
- The artwork style (full art, alternate art, or illustration).
You can learn more about the number line at the bottom in how to read Pokémon card numbers and set symbols.
Let the scan tell you
ScanDragon reads the card, finds the exact printing, and shows the rarity from the card database next to its price, and the more valuable the pull, the more XP your dragon earns. It’s a quick way to see whether the symbol on your card matches a card worth keeping.