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The Ultimate Guide to Pokemon Card Set Symbols

Unsure what set your Pokémon card belongs to? 

You’re in the right place!

Below are the Pokemon Set Symbols for every major release since 1999! 

For newer collectors, symbols are usually found in the bottom right corner of each Pokémon card.

I hope you find this guide useful, and be sure to bookmark it for future reference 🙂

Scarlet & Violet: 2023 to 2024

Set Year Symbol
Temporal Forces 2024
Paldean Fates 2024
Paradox Rift 2023
151 2023
Obsidian Flames 2023
Scarlet & Violet Energies 2023
Paldea Evolved 2023
Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos 2023
Scarlet & Violet 2023

Sword & Shield: 2019 to 2023

Set Year Symbol
Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery 2023
Crown Zenith 2023
Silver Tempest 2022
Lost Origin 2022
Pokémon GO 2022
Astral Radiance 2022
Brilliant Stars 2022
Fusion Strike 2021
Celebrations: Classic Collection 2021
Celebrations 2021
Evolving Skies 2021
Chilling Reign 2021
Battle Styles 2021
Shiny Vault 2021
Shining Fates 2021
Vivid Voltage 2020
Champion's Path 2020
Darkness Ablaze 2020
Rebel Clash 2020
Sword & Shield 2020
SWSH Black Star Promos 2019

Sun & Moon: 2017 to 2019

Set Year Symbol
Cosmic Eclipse 2019
Shiny Vault 2019
Hidden Fates 2019
Unified Minds 2019
Unbroken Bonds 2019
Detective Pikachu 2019
Team Up 2019
Lost Thunder 2018
Dragon Majesty 2018
Celestial Storm 2018
Forbidden Light 2018
Ultra Prism 2018
Crimson Invasion 2017
Shining Legends 2017
Burning Shadows 2017
Guardians Rising 2017
SM Black Star Promos 2017
Sun & Moon 2017

XY: 2013 to 2016

Set Year Symbol
Evolutions 2016
Steam Siege 2016
Fates Collide 2016
Generations 2016
BREAKpoint 2016
BREAKthrough 2015
Ancient Origins 2015
Roaring Skies 2015
Double Crisis 2015
Primal Clash 2015
Phantom Forces 2014
Furious Fists 2014
Flashfire 2014
XY 2014
Kalos Starter Set 2013
XY Black Star Promos 2013

Black & White: 2011 to 2013

Set Year Symbol
Legendary Treasures 2013
Plasma Blast 2013
Plasma Freeze 2013
Plasma Storm 2013
Boundaries Crossed 2012
Dragon Vault 2012
Dragons Exalted 2012
Dark Explorers 2012
Next Destinies 2012
Noble Victories 2011
Emerging Powers 2011
Black & White 2011
BW Black Star Promos 2011

HeartGold & SoulSilver: 2010 to 2011

Set Year Symbol
Call of Legends 2011
HSu2014Triumphant 2010
HSu2014Undaunted 2010
HSu2014Unleashed 2010
HGSS Black Star Promos 2010
HeartGold & SoulSilver 2010

Platinum: 2009 to 2009

Set Year Symbol
Arceus 2009
Supreme Victors 2009
Rising Rivals 2009
Platinum 2009

Diamond & Pearl: 2007 to 2008

Set Year Symbol
Stormfront 2008
Legends Awakened 2008
Majestic Dawn 2008
Great Encounters 2008
Secret Wonders 2007
Mysterious Treasures 2007
DP Black Star Promos 2007
Diamond & Pearl 2007

POP: 2004 to 2009

Set Year Symbol
POP Series 9 2009
POP Series 8 2008
POP Series 7 2008
POP Series 6 2007
POP Series 5 2007
POP Series 4 2006
POP Series 3 2006
POP Series 2 2005
POP Series 1 2004

NP: 2003 to 2003

Set Year Symbol
Nintendo Black Star Promos 2003

EX: 2003 to 2007

Set Year Symbol
EX Trainer Kit 2 Minun 2006
EX Trainer Kit 2 Plusle 2006
EX Trainer Kit Latios 2004
EX Trainer Kit Latias 2004
Power Keepers 2007
Dragon Frontiers 2006
Crystal Guardians 2006
Holon Phantoms 2006
Legend Maker 2006
Delta Species 2005
Unseen Forces 2005
Emerald 2005
Deoxys 2005
Team Rocket Returns 2004
FireRed & LeafGreen 2004
Hidden Legends 2004
Team Magma vs Team Aqua 2004
Dragon 2003
Sandstorm 2003
Ruby & Sapphire 2003

E-Card: 2002 to 2003

Set Year Symbol
Skyridge 2003
Aquapolis 2003
Expedition Base Set 2002

Other: 2001 to 2022

Set Year Symbol
McDonald's Collection 2022 2022
Pokémon Futsal Collection 2020
Best of Game 2002
McDonald's Collection 2021 2021
McDonald's Collection 2017 2017
McDonald's Collection 2018 2018
McDonald's Collection 2015 2015
McDonald's Collection 2014 2014
McDonald's Collection 2019 2019
McDonald's Collection 2016 2016
McDonald's Collection 2012 2012
McDonald's Collection 2011 2011
Pokémon Rumble 2009
Legendary Collection 2002
Southern Islands 2001

Neo: 2000 to 2002

Set Year Symbol
Neo Destiny 2002
Neo Revelation 2001
Neo Discovery 2001
Neo Genesis 2000

Gym: 2000 to 2000

Set Year Symbol
Gym Challenge 2000
Gym Heroes 2000

Base: 1999 to 2000

Set Year Symbol
Team Rocket 2000
Base Set 2 2000
Fossil 1999
Wizards Black Star Promos 1999
Jungle 1999
Base 1999

Pokemon Card Set Symbol FAQs

What do the symbols mean on Pokémon cards?

There are multiple symbols on Pokemon cards. There are symbols that show which set a card is from (like above). There are also symbols which show rarity; typically found at the bottom of the card. And you may also find additional symbols, for example, that show a card is ‘1st Edition‘. 

What symbol means rare on Pokémon cards?

Rare cards will have a star symbol on them. Typically, there is only one rare Pokémon card per pack. However, for packs that contains reverse holo cards, there is also the chance to pull an additional rare card.

A diamond symbol means the card is ‘uncommon’, and circle means ‘common’.

It’s also worth noting that there are different layers of rarity when it comes to Pokemon cards. Certain cards, such as ‘secret rares’ may only have one per booster box, meaning they are hard to pull and considerably rarer.