Understanding Pokémon Card Rarity Levels
Whether you're an avid collector or new to the world of Pokémon cards, understanding rarity symbols is essential. These indicators allow you to identify the most valuable cards, assess their collectible or resale potential, and increase your appreciation for each booster pack you open. Here's a comprehensive and accessible guide to everything you need to know about Pokémon card rarity levels.
Rarity symbols on Western cards
Before Scarlet and Purple
- ● Common : Represented by a circle, these are the most common cards, often basic Pokémon.
- ◆ Uncommon : The diamond indicates a slightly rarer frequency. Usually Pokémon with an evolution.
- ★ Rare : Star cards are the most sought after, sometimes shiny, representing powerful or legendary Pokémon.
- ★★★ Holographic Shiny : Extremely rare cards, shiny all over, often tied to special editions.
Since Scarlet and Violet
The system has been redesigned around eight categories:
- ● Municipality
- ◆ Uncommon
- ★ Rare
- ★★ Double rare
- ★★ Silver Ultra Rare
- ★ Golden Rare Illustration
- ★★ Golden Rare Special Illustration
- ★★★ Golden Hyper rare
Rarities of Japanese Pokémon cards
Japan uses a system based on letters rather than symbols:
- C : Municipality
- U : Uncommon
- A : Rare
- RR : Double Rare
- SR : Super Rare (often Full Art)
- AR : Rare Art
- SAR : Special Art Rare
- HR / UR : Hyper Rare / Ultra Rare
Differences between the French and Japanese versions
A similar hierarchy but codified differently
In France, black, gold, or silver stars are used to convey the visual impact and complexity of the card. Japan, on the other hand, prefers text abbreviations to structure rarity levels. This system sometimes makes understanding easier for experienced collectors.
How to recognize a valuable card?
A rare card is more than just a symbol: the shine, artwork, edition, and number can indicate whether it's a secret, alternate , gold , or promotional card . Don't hesitate to cross-reference with specialized databases to estimate their value!
