POKÉMON CARD SCANNER
Pokémon Card Identifier: Scan Any Pokémon Card to See What It Is and What It's Worth
To identify a Pokémon card, read three things at the bottom of the card: the collector number (such as 125/197), the set symbol or set code, and the rarity symbol. Together they point to one exact printing. A Pokémon card scanner like Solira reads them from a photo and shows the card's set, rarity, printing, and market price in seconds.
- Identify by photo in seconds
- Matches set, number, and rarity
- Separates holo, reverse holo, and promos
- Market price for the exact printing
By the Solira team · Updated
STEP BY STEP
How to identify a Pokémon card with Solira
- 1
Open the scanner
Point your iPhone at one Pokémon card with all four edges inside the guide.
- 2
Keep the bottom readable
The collector number, set symbol, and rarity are at the bottom of the card, so avoid glare there.
- 3
Check the match
Solira shows the set, number, rarity, and printing. Confirm they match your card.
- 4
See the value
Read the market price for that printing and save the card to your collection.
FROM THE SOLIRA CATALOG
Most valuable Pokémon cards right now
Highest market prices for single cards in the catalog. Prices come from JustTCG, last updated Aug 19, 2026, and are references, not offers.
- #1
Charizard
Base Set (Shadowless) · 004/102 · Holo Rare
Moderately Played · 1st Edition Holofoil
$10,000.00
- #2
Umbreon (H30)
Skyridge · H30/H32 · Holo Rare
Near Mint · Holofoil
$4,999.99
- #3
Lugia
Aquapolis · 149/147 · Secret Rare
Lightly Played · Holofoil
$4,500.00
- #4
Torchic Star
EX Team Rocket Returns · 108/109 · Ultra Rare
Heavily Played · Holofoil
$4,500.00
- #5
Shining Tyranitar
Neo Destiny · 113/105 · Secret Rare
Near Mint · 1st Edition Holofoil
$4,249.99
- #6
Charizard Star (Delta Species)
EX Dragon Frontiers · 100/101 · Ultra Rare
Lightly Played · Holofoil
$4,000.00
- #7
Celebi
Skyridge · 145/144 · Secret Rare
Near Mint · Holofoil
$3,999.99
- #8
Shining Charizard
Neo Destiny · 107/105 · Secret Rare
Near Mint · Unlimited Holofoil
$3,998.99
01
Where to find the set, number, and rarity on a Pokémon card
On modern cards (Sword & Shield and Scarlet & Violet eras) the collector number, rarity symbol, set symbol or set code, and regulation mark sit together along the bottom-left edge. On older cards the set symbol usually sits just below the right corner of the artwork and the number is in the bottom-right corner.
The original Base Set has no set symbol at all, which is itself a way to identify it.
| Detail | Where it is | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Collector number | Bottom of the card, e.g. 125/197 | The card's position in the set |
| Set symbol or set code | Bottom-left (modern) or under the artwork (older) | Which expansion it belongs to |
| Rarity symbol | Next to the collector number | Common, uncommon, rare, or a special rarity |
| Regulation mark | A letter in a small box, bottom-left (D, E, F, G, H, I…) | Tournament legality and rough era |
| Promo code | A black star promo symbol with a code like SWSH123 or SVP 085 | A promo card outside the main set |
02
Pokémon rarity symbols explained
The small symbol next to the collector number tells you how rare a card is. Scarlet & Violet expanded the system with colored and multiple stars.
| Symbol | Rarity |
|---|---|
| ● Circle | Common |
| ◆ Diamond | Uncommon |
| ★ Black star | Rare (holo or non-holo) |
| ★★ Two black stars | Double Rare (e.g. Pokémon ex) |
| ★★ Two silver stars | Ultra Rare (full art) |
| ★ One gold star | Illustration Rare |
| ★★ Two gold stars | Special Illustration Rare |
| ★★★ Three gold stars | Hyper Rare (gold cards) |
03
How to spot valuable variants
Many Pokémon cards exist in several versions that look almost identical. These are the differences that change the price most:
- Secret rares: number higher than the set total, e.g. 210/197
- Reverse holo: foil on the card body, not the artwork
- 1st Edition: black '1st Edition' stamp left of the art (1999–2003 cards)
- Shadowless: early Base Set prints without a drop shadow on the art box
- Promo and event stamps: prerelease, staff, or tournament stamps
- Language: Japanese and English printings are priced separately
04
Identify Pokémon cards by photo vs. by hand
You can always identify a card by reading the bottom line and searching a set list. A scanner simply does the same steps faster. Solira reads the number, set, and rarity from your photo, matches the printing, and puts the price on the same screen. That is useful when you are sorting a binder, a bulk box, or a new pack.
For a deeper walkthrough, see our guide on how to identify Pokémon cards.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I identify a Pokémon card by picture?
Take a clear photo of the whole card and use a Pokémon card scanner app such as Solira. It reads the collector number, set symbol, and rarity from the photo and matches the exact printing. Without an app, read the number and set symbol at the bottom and look them up in a set list.
What does the number on a Pokémon card mean?
It is the collector number: the card's position in the set over the set's printed total, e.g. 25/165. If the first number is higher than the total, the card is a secret rare.
How do I know which set my Pokémon card is from?
Look for the set symbol or set code at the bottom of the card (bottom-left on modern cards, under the artwork on older ones). Base Set cards have no symbol.
How can I tell if my Pokémon card is rare?
Check the rarity symbol next to the collector number: a circle is common, a diamond is uncommon, and a star is rare. Gold stars, multiple stars, and numbers above the set total indicate special rarities.
Can Solira identify Japanese Pokémon cards?
Solira reads the printed details on the card, and language is part of the match. Coverage depends on the catalog, so always confirm the language shown on the result.
Can Solira tell if a Pokémon card is fake?
No. Identification shows which card a photo matches; it does not authenticate the physical card.
Identify your Pokémon cards in seconds
Download Solira, scan a Pokémon card, and see its exact set, rarity, and market price. Free to download on iPhone. Android is coming soon.