Illustration Rare vs Special Illustration Rare in Pokémon TCG
What are illustration rares and special illustration rares in Pokémon TCG? How to spot them, how they differ from ultra and hyper rares, and what drives value.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Since the Scarlet & Violet era, the most talked-about Pokémon cards in each set are its illustration rares and special illustration rares. They replaced the Sword & Shield "alternate arts" as the cards collectors chase.
Illustration Rare (IR)
- Marked with one gold star
- Full-card artwork showing a Pokémon in a scene, often by guest illustrators
- Numbered as secret rares (above the set size)
- Usually regular Pokémon (not ex)
Some are inexpensive, while popular Pokémon or standout artwork can sell for much more.
Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
- Marked with two gold stars
- Full-art scenes featuring ex Pokémon or Supporter trainers
- The rarest non-gold cards in most sets
- Typically the top-priced cards in a set, especially for fan favorites
How they compare with other rarities
| Rarity | Symbol | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Double Rare | ★★ black | regular ex card |
| Ultra Rare | ★★ silver | full art ex or trainer |
| Illustration Rare | ★ gold | full scene art, regular Pokémon |
| Special Illustration Rare | ★★ gold | full scene art, ex or trainer |
| Hyper Rare | ★★★ gold | gold card |
What makes one SIR worth more than another
- The Pokémon or character: Charizard, Pikachu, Umbreon, Mew, Gengar and popular trainers lead
- Artwork: storytelling scenes and well-known artists draw demand
- Set pull rates: some sets have more chase cards competing for the same packs
- Condition: surface scratches and edge wear are common on full-art cards, which reduces grades
Japanese equivalents
Japanese sets use AR (Art Rare) and SAR (Special Art Rare). Prices differ between languages (Japanese cards).
Protect them straight away
Full-art textured cards scratch easily. Sleeve them right after opening. Our how to protect cards guide covers the basics, and pull rates explained shows why these cards are so hard to get.
Try it on your own cards
Scan your gold-star cards with Rarefolio to see each card's estimated market value and its price history, which helps you decide whether to hold or sell after release hype settles. See why card prices go up and down.
Frequently asked questions
What is a special illustration rare?
A two-gold-star Pokémon card with full scene artwork featuring an ex Pokémon or a trainer, usually the top chase card in modern sets.
What's the difference between an illustration rare and a special illustration rare?
Illustration rares have one gold star and usually feature regular Pokémon; special illustration rares have two gold stars, feature ex Pokémon or trainers, and are rarer.
Are illustration rares worth money?
Many are worth more than regular cards, but values vary widely by Pokémon, artwork and set.
What replaced alternate arts?
In the Scarlet & Violet era, illustration rares and special illustration rares took the place of Sword & Shield alternate arts.