Still have no idea what SIR means in Pokemon TCG? No need to feel ashamed! This term is often used by many collectors who are looking for a specific rarity of Pokemon cards.
Pokemon TCG is quite popular these days not only because it’s part of a long running media franchise, but also many of the cards that you can get can hold some monetary value based on how hard they are to obtain.
The term SIR is one of the most common jargons in Pokemon lingo, and if you’re just starting out in the card hobby, knowing what it means is essential in growing your own collection of Pokemon cards.
For this post, we’ll share with you the meaning behind SIR, and all other important information that you need to learn.
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What Is SIR in Pokemon TCG?
SIR stands for Special Illustration Rare; a type of rarity added to Pokemon TCG during the Scarlet & Violet era. These cards resemble Illustration Rares, but they have a couple of features that makes them unique from other types of full art cards.
Special Illustration cards feature alternate artwork of cards in a set, which is why in most Scarlet and Violet sets, SIR cards often depict Pokemon that also appear in the main set. It is also worth noting that Supporters can have SIR copies as well.
The first thing that indicates an SIR Pokemon card is its appearance. It’s much shinier than any type of card since it’s printed with an additional layer of foil.
The second key indicator that a Pokemon card is an SIR is its rarity symbol. SIR cards always have two gold stars in the lower-left corner. For Japanese Pokemon cards, the equivalent of an SIR is a Special Art Rare (SAR), which is marked with the acronym ‘SAR’ instead of gold stars.
Are Special Illustration Rares Worth Anything?
Yes! Due to the low chances of pulling them from a booster pack, Special Illustration Rares tend to be more valuable than most cards in a set. In fact, if you will check out the posts we have in Collectors Corner, the majority of cards that are deemed to be the most expensive ones in modern sets are SIR.
A good example of an SIR card fetching hundreds of dollars in the market is this Umbreon ex from Prismatic Evolutions. Due to the rising costs of Prismatic Evolutions products and the hype it received from the community, this card once reached a value of over $1,600!
Another card worth looking at is this Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex from Destined Rivals, which currently costs $403.
Beyond their rarity, the value of SIR cards often depends on how well-known or well-liked the featured Pokemon or character is within the community. That’s why SIR cards showcasing fan favorites like Charizard and Iono are more likely to become expensive chase cards.
Here are some other valuable Special Illustration Rare cards that you might want to collect in the recent sets:
- Cynthia’s Garchomp ex (Destined Rivals)
- Lillie’s Clefairy ex (Journey Together)
- All the other Eeveelutions in Prismatic Evolutions
- Greninja ex (Twilight Masquerade)
- Tera Pikachu ex (Surging Sparks)
- Shiny Mew ex (Paldean Fates)
- Charizard ex (Paldean Fates and 151)
- Magikarp (Paldea Evolved)
PokeCardHQ Trivia: An SIR card’s artwork typically depicts a Pokémon in its natural habitat or in an environment that reflects its personality. In some cases, the artwork also features the Pokemon’s trainer!
The Odds of Getting an SIR in Pokemon TCG
The likelihood of pulling a Special Illustration Rare may vary per set. Remember that every set has their own pull rates, and it might be easy to get an SIR in some sets compared to others.
However, since SIR cards are currently the second rarest cards you can pull, just behind Hyper Rares, it’s estimated that you might find one in roughly 42 booster packs. That said, this is only an approximation, as pull rates can vary. In sets with lower odds, it’s possible to open 80 or more packs without pulling a single SIR.
Final Thoughts
While Special Illustration cards are definitely the culprit behind the rising prices of many Pokemon TCG products, their distinctive artwork often makes them worthy to collect, especially if you have the means to do so.
In case you’re looking for a list of SIR cards in a specific set, don’t hesitate to check our site’s Card Sets section so you can check out which cards to look out for when opening some booster packs from the most recent sets.
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