Quick Answer
Pokemon cards in the Scarlet and Violet era use a rarity system with more tiers than previous generations. From common (C) at the bottom to Special Illustration Rare (SIR) and Hyper Rare (HR) at the top, each tier has different pull rates and collector value. The cards worth the most money in Australia are almost always SIRs and HRs of popular Pokemon. For live AUD prices at every rarity tier, check /cards/pokemon.
The Scarlet and Violet Rarity Tiers Explained
The Scarlet and Violet era introduced a revised rarity structure that differs meaningfully from the Sword and Shield era. Here is every tier from lowest to highest pull rate, and what it means for value.
Common (C) are the backbone of every set. Every pack contains several commons. These are your basic energy cards, low-cost support Pokemon, and filler. Market value is essentially zero unless a competitive role makes one specific common worth AU$1 to AU$2 as a playset purchase.
Uncommon (U) are slightly rarer than commons and include more useful Trainer cards and mid-evolution Pokemon. Still low collector value. A few uncommons with competitive roles trade at AU$1 to AU$3.
Rare (R) cards have a holo foil treatment and appear at around one per pack on average. These are mostly Stage 1 and Stage 2 evolved Pokemon. Generally low secondary market value unless competitive.
Double Rare (RR) is the first tier where meaningful secondary market value begins. These are the basic ex and V Pokemon that appear approximately once every two to three packs. Competitively relevant ex Pokemon at this tier can trade at AU$5 to AU$20.
Ultra Rare (UR) includes full-art versions of ex Pokemon. Better artwork, slightly lower pull rate than Double Rares. Collector appeal drives these above their gameplay value. Trading range is roughly AU$10 to AU$40 for most URs, depending on the Pokemon.
Illustration Rare (IR) is where premium artwork begins in earnest. These are unique full-art illustrations, often with textured art styles, depicting Pokemon in scenes or environments. Pull rate is roughly one per two to three booster boxes. Value range varies widely based on the specific Pokemon.
Special Illustration Rare (SIR) is the primary chase tier of the Scarlet and Violet era. These are full-art cards with cinematic illustrated backgrounds showing Pokemon and trainers together. Pull rate is approximately one to two per booster box, though this varies by set. The most valuable Pokemon at SIR can trade for AU$80 to AU$400 or more. Charizard, Gardevoir, and Pikachu as SIRs from popular sets command consistent premiums.
Hyper Rare (HR) cards are gold-bordered full-art versions, typically of Supporter Trainer cards and selected Pokemon. These appear roughly once per two booster boxes and trade at AU$20 to AU$80 for most, with popular Supporters like Iono trading higher.
Secret Rare is a catch-all term for cards numbered beyond the set's printed total. In Scarlet and Violet this overlaps with IRs, SIRs, and HRs depending on the set. What matters for value is the specific card and Pokemon rather than whether it technically qualifies as a secret rare.
How to Read the Rarity Symbol on Your Cards
The rarity symbol appears in the bottom left corner of each card, next to the card number. In Scarlet and Violet:
Circle (C) is Common. Diamond (D) is Uncommon. Star (R) is Rare. Two stars (RR) is Double Rare. A star with a circle inside is the Ultra Rare symbol. A single gold star with different formatting indicates IR, SIR, or HR depending on the card's appearance.
The clearest indicator of tier is the card's visual treatment. A standard holofoil back on a bordered card is Rare. A full-art card filling the entire card face is UR or above. A full-art card with an illustrated background scene featuring a trainer is almost certainly SIR.
Which Rarities Are Worth Grading in Australia
PSA and CGC grading makes financial sense for SIRs and HRs of high-demand Pokemon where a 10 grade commands a meaningful premium over raw NM. For cards under AU$100 raw NM, grading costs in Australia (including shipping and turnaround time) typically exceed the premium you recover.
IRs from popular sets are borderline. If the raw NM is already AU$40 to AU$60 and a PSA 10 would push it to AU$150 or more, grading may be worthwhile. Do the maths with current sold comps before submitting anything.
The Pokemon card grading guide for Australia at /blog/pokemon-card-grading-australia-worth-it covers this in detail.
How Rarity Interacts With Pull Rate Manipulation
Some sets are sold in ways that affect effective rarity. Paldean Fates was a set designed as a high-pull-rate product for specific card types. Booster Bundles and ETBs have different pack distributions to standard booster boxes. Always check what product type you are opening before assuming standard pull rates apply.
If you are chasing a specific SIR and want to know how many boxes it typically takes to pull one, the EV Calculator at /tools lets you model this with current set data.
The C3 Take
The Scarlet and Violet rarity system gives collectors a clear hierarchy and makes chasing specific tier cards more intentional than previous eras where "rare" could mean almost anything. The key insight for Australian collectors is that rarity tier tells you the approximate pull rate, but the specific Pokemon determines the actual market value. A SIR of an obscure Pokemon is worth far less than a SIR of Charizard at the same rarity. Buy the Pokemon you love or that have proven collector fanbases. Do not chase rarity tiers in the abstract. A well-chosen IR of a beloved character often holds its value better than a SIR of a Pokemon with limited appeal.
What to Read Next
- Browse current prices across all Pokemon rarities at /cards/pokemon
- Check whether opening or buying singles is smarter at /tools
- Take the Pokemon player type quiz at /quizzes/pokemon-archetype