POKÉMON GUIDE
How to Identify Pokémon Cards: Set Symbols, Numbers, and Rarity Explained
Every Pokémon card can be identified from the bottom line of the card. Find the collector number (such as 58/102), the set symbol or set code, and the rarity symbol next to the number. The set and number point to one exact card, and the rarity symbol, finish, and stamps tell you which version you have.
- Find the set and number
- Read rarity symbols
- Spot 1st Edition and shadowless
- Recognize secret rares and promos
By the Solira team · Updated
STEP BY STEP
How to identify a Pokémon card in 5 steps
- 1
Find the collector number
Look at the bottom of the card for a number like 58/102. Modern cards print it bottom-left; older ones bottom-right.
- 2
Find the set symbol or set code
Modern cards print it next to the number. Older cards print it under the right corner of the artwork. Base Set has none.
- 3
Read the rarity symbol
Circle, diamond, or star (and colored or multiple stars on newer cards) next to the number.
- 4
Check the finish and stamps
Holo artwork, reverse holo body, 1st Edition stamp, or a promo or event stamp.
- 5
Look it up or scan it
Search the set and number in a set list, or scan the card with Solira to see the match and its price.
01
Reading the bottom of a Pokémon card
The bottom edge of a Pokémon card carries nearly everything you need for identification. On Sword & Shield and Scarlet & Violet cards, the regulation mark, set symbol or set code, collector number, and rarity symbol sit together in the bottom-left. Scarlet & Violet cards also print a short set abbreviation and language code.
On older cards, the number and rarity are in the bottom-right corner, and the set symbol sits just below the bottom-right corner of the artwork.
| Era | Collector number | Set symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Base Set (1999) | Bottom-right | None |
| Wizards era (1999–2003) | Bottom-right | Below the artwork, right |
| 2003–2020 | Bottom-right or bottom-left | Below the artwork or bottom |
| Sword & Shield / Scarlet & Violet | Bottom-left | Bottom-left with regulation mark |
02
Pokémon rarity symbols
The rarity symbol sits next to the collector number.
| Symbol | Rarity |
|---|---|
| ● Circle | Common |
| ◆ Diamond | Uncommon |
| ★ Black star | Rare |
| ★★ Two black stars | Double Rare |
| ★★ Two silver stars | Ultra Rare |
| ★ One gold star | Illustration Rare |
| ★★ Two gold stars | Special Illustration Rare |
| ★★★ Three gold stars | Hyper Rare |
| Black star with PROMO | Promo card |
03
How to tell versions of the same card apart
Once you know the set and number, check which version you have. These details are what separate a $1 card from a $100 one.
- Holo: the artwork is foil
- Reverse holo: the card body is foil, the art is not
- Secret rare: number above the set total (e.g. 210/197)
- 1st Edition: black stamp left of the art box (1999–2003)
- Shadowless: no drop shadow right of the Base Set art box
- Pattern reprints: Poké Ball or Master Ball foil patterns
- Promo, prerelease, and staff stamps
- Japanese and other languages are separate cards
04
How to identify a promo card
Promo cards are not part of a main set, so they don't use a number over a set total. Instead they carry a black star promo symbol and a code such as SM60, SWSH250, or SVP 085. Search that code to find the card.
05
Next steps: value, protect, or grade
After you identify a card, check its value for that exact version. If it is valuable, put it in a penny sleeve and toploader straight away. If it is valuable and in excellent condition, a pre-check of centering, corners, edges, and surface tells you whether professional grading could be worth it.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do you identify a Pokémon card?
Read the collector number, set symbol or set code, and rarity symbol at the bottom of the card, then check the finish (holo, reverse holo) and any stamps. Search the set and number, or scan the card with a Pokémon card identifier app.
What is the symbol in the corner of a Pokémon card?
The small picture near the number is the set symbol, which shows which expansion the card is from. The circle, diamond, or star next to the number is the rarity.
What does it mean if the number is higher than the set total?
The card is a secret rare, printed beyond the set's official count, such as 210/197.
What is the letter in a box on newer Pokémon cards?
It is the regulation mark (D, E, F, G, H, I…), used to decide which cards are legal in Standard tournaments.
How do I know if my Pokémon card is 1st Edition?
Look for a small black '1st Edition' stamp to the left of the artwork, just below the art box. It appears on cards printed from 1999 to 2003.
What is a shadowless Pokémon card?
An early Base Set print with no gray drop shadow along the right side of the artwork box. Shadowless cards are worth more than later Base Set prints.
Skip the lookup: scan it
Solira reads the set, number, and rarity from a photo and shows the exact Pokémon card and its price. Free to download on iPhone. Android is coming soon.