How to tell a Pokémon card's rarity
Look at the small symbol at the bottom of the card, next to the collector number.
Short answer: every modern Pokémon card has a rarity symbol at the bottom, next to its collector number. A circle means Common, a diamond means Uncommon, and a star means Rare. Scarlet & Violet sets add more star symbols for the higher rarities, from two black stars up to three gold stars. If you'd rather not squint, Digital Decks scans the card and tells you its rarity in plain words.
Rarity symbols in Scarlet & Violet sets
| Symbol | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Black circle | Common |
| Black diamond | Uncommon |
| One black star | Rare |
| Two black stars | Double Rare |
| One gold star | Illustration Rare |
| Two silver stars | Ultra Rare |
| Two gold stars | Special Illustration Rare |
| Three gold stars | Hyper Rare |
Older sets use the circle, diamond and star, but not the multi-star symbols. Newer sets can introduce symbols of their own, so if you see one you don't recognize, look the card up.
Other clues on the card
- A number higher than the set total. A card numbered 199/165 sits past the regular set. These are often called secret rares.
- Holo vs reverse holo. A holo card has shiny artwork. A reverse holo is shiny everywhere except the artwork. These are versions of a card, not rarity symbols, and they can be worth different amounts.
- 1st Edition stamp. Some early cards carry a small 1st Edition stamp, which marks the first print run.
Let the app read it for you
Digital Decks reads the collector number, looks the card up, and shows its rarity in plain words with approximate pull odds, so a young collector can see why a card is special. The rarest pulls get a small celebration. Tap the speaker and it reads the details aloud.
Questions people ask
What do the circle, diamond and star mean on Pokémon cards?
Circle is Common, diamond is Uncommon, and star is Rare. The symbol is at the bottom of the card near the collector number.
What do gold stars mean on a Pokémon card?
In Scarlet & Violet sets, one gold star is an Illustration Rare, two gold stars a Special Illustration Rare, and three gold stars a Hyper Rare.
What do two black stars mean?
Two black stars mark a Double Rare in Scarlet & Violet sets.
Is a reverse holo a rarity?
No. Reverse holo is a version of a card (shiny everywhere except the artwork), not a rarity. The rarity is still shown by the symbol.
What does it mean if the card number is bigger than the set number?
A number like 199/165 means the card is numbered past the main set. Collectors often call these secret rares.