499 English cards · 23 sets · Prices Sep 28, 2026

Illustration Rare Pokémon cards

The most valuable Illustration Rare card is Magikarp 203/193 (Paldea Evolved), worth about $375 ungraded. 499 English cards carry this rarity, from Scarlet & Violet (2023) to 30th Celebration (2026), across the Scarlet & Violet and Mega Evolution eras.

An Illustration Rare (IR) is a card with extended artwork that fills the whole card, marked with a single gold star at the bottom left. The rarity arrived with Scarlet & Violet in 2023 and appears in almost every set since. Most are ordinary Pokémon rather than ex cards, drawn by a wide range of illustrators, and they are numbered above the set total alongside the other secret rares.

Each set has more Illustration Rares than Special Illustration Rares, so they are easier to pull, but they are still scarce compared with the main set. Many collectors aim to complete the Illustration Rares of a set as a small art collection.

Prices vary more than for any other modern rarity. Most IRs sell for a few dollars, while a few become the most valuable cards in their set because of the artwork or the Pokémon. Magikarp (Paldea Evolved) from Paldea Evolved is the best-known example. Pikachu (151) from 151 benefits from Pikachu's popularity, and Groudon (Paradox Rift) from Paradox Rift is prized for its artwork. Seismitoad (Black Bolt) from Black Bolt shows that a less famous Pokémon can still carry a set when the art is strong.

For the best price, check centering and the textured surface before buying or grading. The full-bleed art makes edge wear and print lines easy to see.

Every rarity and its symbol is explained in the Pokémon card rarity chart.

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