How to Find Special Illustration Rares in Pokémon Sets
Table of Contents
- What a Special Illustration Rare Card Is
- How to Identify a Special Illustration Rare Card, Step by Step
- Special Illustration Rare vs. Illustration Rare and Other Rarities
- Pokémon Special Illustration Rare Checklist by Set
- How Often Special Illustration Rares Appear in Packs
- Spotting Fakes and Verifying Authenticity
- Where to Buy Special Illustration Rare Singles
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 30, 2026
If you have ever pulled a Pokémon card with full-color artwork that spans the entire face of the card, you have probably held a Special Illustration Rare. Collectors track these cards closely because they are some of the most sought-after pulls in the Scarlet & Violet era. Finding them takes a little know-how, but once you learn to read a card's bottom edge, the hunt gets much easier.
Here is the short version: a Special Illustration Rare, often shortened to SIR, is a card with unique artwork that covers the whole card, and it carries a distinct rarity symbol at the bottom. Below, we walk through how to identify one, how it differs from similar rarities, and where to look when you want to buy singles. Keep reading, because the checklist and authenticity tips can save you real money.
What a Special Illustration Rare Card Is
A Special Illustration Rare is a Pokémon Trading Card Game card with a custom illustration that extends across the full card art area. That exclusivity is a big reason collectors chase them.
The card's rarity is marked by a symbol at the bottom, and the most common version for SIRs is a double gold star. Many players look for the artwork first, but the bottom edge is where you confirm what you actually have.
How to Identify a Special Illustration Rare Card, Step by Step
Work through these steps with the card in good light, and keep a known genuine card nearby for comparison if you have one.
- Lay the card face up on a flat, clean surface under bright, indirect light. Avoid overhead glare that can wash out foil or hide a faint symbol.
- Locate the rarity symbol at the bottom of the card, just below the illustration and near the card number. On modern cards it sits in the lower-left or lower-right area of the bottom border, depending on the layout.
- Read the symbol shape and count. A double gold star is the most common marker for a Special Illustration Rare in recent Scarlet & Violet-era sets. A single star, a different icon, or a plain symbol points to a lower rarity even when the art looks premium.
- Read the card number and set code printed along the bottom edge, usually in the format of a collector number over the set total plus a short set code. Write both down.
- Match the number and set code against an official card list for that expansion. This catches reprints, similar-looking cards from other sets, and cards whose symbol is hard to read.
- Compare the artwork against a trusted set listing or a verified photo of the same card. Confirm the illustration, border treatment, and text layout all match.
Check the Rarity Symbol at the Card Bottom
Start with the rarity symbol. A double gold star usually signals a Special Illustration Rare in recent sets. A single star or a different icon points to a lower rarity, even when the artwork looks special. A common mistake is judging a card by its art alone, which can lead to mislabeled cards in a collection.
Watch out: artwork can look premium on a card that is not an SIR, so always confirm the symbol before you pay a premium price. If the symbol is obscured by foil, tilt the card slightly under the light rather than rubbing the surface.
Confirm the Card Number and Set Code
Next, read the card number and set code printed near the bottom. The number tells you where the card sits in its set, and the set code tells you which expansion it belongs to. Match both against an official card list. This step catches reprints and similar-looking cards from other sets.
A repeatable verification method: write the set code and collector number on a sticky note, then search the official card database for that exact combination. If the listing shows a different rarity symbol or artwork than the card in your hand, treat the card as unconfirmed until you resolve the mismatch.
Special Illustration Rare vs. Illustration Rare and Other Rarities
Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares both feature custom art, but they are not the same. The fastest way to tell them apart is to compare three things side by side: the rarity symbol, the artwork treatment, and the collector number.
- Rarity symbol. A Special Illustration Rare typically carries a double gold star at the bottom of the card. An Illustration Rare typically carries a single star. If you see a different icon entirely, you are likely looking at another rarity tier.
- Artwork treatment. Special Illustration Rares use a full-bleed design where the illustration covers the card face, often with the Pokémon rendered in a scene rather than a portrait. Illustration Rares usually keep a more standard layout with the artwork framed inside the card border.
- Collector number. SIRs tend to sit in the higher-numbered portion of a set, often beyond the base set total and into the secret rare range. Illustration Rares usually appear earlier in the numbering. Always confirm against the official set list rather than assuming from the number alone.
| Rarity | Art Style | Typical Symbol | Numbering Pattern | Collector Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Illustration Rare | Full-bleed custom art covering the card face | Double gold star | Often in the secret rare range beyond the base set total | High |
| Illustration Rare | Custom art in a standard framed layout | Single star | Usually earlier in the set numbering | Moderate |
| Ultra Rare | Standard art with a V or ex mark | Star variants | Varies by card and set | Varies by card |
Knowing these differences keeps you from overpaying for a card that is rare in name only. When two cards look similar, trust the symbol and the official set listing over the artwork alone.
Pokémon Special Illustration Rare Checklist by Set
Use this checklist when you scan a new set for pulls:
- Confirm the set name and release date
- List every card carrying the double gold star symbol
- Record the card number for each SIR
- Note the Pokémon featured on each card
- Check the card against an official listing before buying
Keeping a running list makes it easy to spot gaps in your binder.
How Often Special Illustration Rares Appear in Packs
SIRs are not common. Results vary widely from pack to pack, and pull rates are not guaranteed, so treat any single pull as luck rather than a predictable outcome. If you want a specific SIR, buying singles is usually more reliable than chasing packs.
Spotting Fakes and Verifying Authenticity
Counterfeit cards are a real concern when buying high-value singles. Look for these warning signs:
- Printing that looks blurry or too glossy at the edges
- A rarity symbol that is missing, smudged, or in the wrong position
- Card stock that feels thinner or flimsier than a known genuine card
- Colors that look washed out compared to a verified photo
If a deal seems too good to be true, compare the card against a verified listing before you pay. You can also see our guide to identifying fake Pokémon cards for more warning signs. You can also check our guide on how to verify Pokémon card authenticity before you buy for a fuller process, and see our guide to identifying fake Pokémon cards for more warning signs.
Where to Buy Special Illustration Rare Singles
Buying singles from a reputable seller is often the most direct route to a specific SIR. At LexMar Collectibles Inc, we focus on a curated selection of trading cards and hobby-focused merchandise. Check return terms and card condition descriptions before you order.
If you are building a collection around a specific set, the Pokémon - Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet - Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box is a useful place to start. It includes 9 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet, Prismatic Evolutions booster packs, a full-art foil promo card featuring Eevee, and a player's guide to the expansion, all for $119.99.
The POKEMON FIRST PARTNERS ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION BOX SERIES 1 is priced at $59.99.
The Pokémon Company's official card database
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Special Illustration Rare in Pokémon TCG?
A Special Illustration Rare, or SIR, is a full-art Pokémon card with an illustration that covers the entire card face, . It sits above the standard Illustration Rare in the rarity system and is printed with a double gold star symbol at the bottom of the card. SIRs are typically the most sought-after cards in a Scarlet & Violet-era set, which is why collectors search for them by name and set number when building a checklist.
How can you tell if a Pokémon card is a Special Illustration Rare?
Look at the bottom of the card, where the rarity symbol appears next to the card number and set code. A Special Illustration Rare carries a double gold star symbol, while an Illustration Rare uses a single star. Then check that the artwork fills the whole card face without the usual text box border. Matching the card number against an official set list confirms the rarity before you pay for a card you believe is an SIR.
Where can you find a checklist of Special Illustration Rare cards?
Official set listings on the Pokémon Company website and reputable card databases list every card number and rarity for each expansion. Compare the number printed on your card, such as 232/191, against the set list to see its rarity. Keep a current checklist handy when you sort a binder, since new sets add SIRs regularly and a saved list makes it quicker to spot gaps in your collection.
Where can you buy Pokémon Special Illustration Rare singles?
Shoppers searching for individual SIR cards can browse LexMar Collectibles, which sells Pokémon collection products such as the Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box for $119.99 and the First Partners Illustration Collection Box Series 1 for $59.99. Check each card's number and rarity against the set listing before buying.
