What are Special Art Rares? A Guide to Pokemon TCG

It can be difficult to stay updated on all the different card rarities in the Pokemon TCG, especially when considering both Japanese and English cards.

Although most Japanese cards are included in English expansion sets, the cards from Night Wanderer will mainly be featured in Shrouded Fable. However, there are significant distinctions in the way these cards are classified.

Special Art Rares, also known as SAR cards, are the English equivalent of Special Illustration Rares found in expansion sets. These highly sought-after cards showcase breathtaking full artwork and typically feature an iconic character. As with their counterparts, SAR cards have the potential to significantly increase in value after the release of an expansion set.

Special Art Rare Pokemon card example. — The Pokemon Company

Example of a Special Art Rare card with the SAR logo highlighted.

As depicted in the image above, Scarlet & Violet era Pokemon cards with special artwork can be identified by the letters ‘SAR’ on the bottom left corner of the card. It should be noted that this marking is only applicable to cards from this specific era, as rarity symbols and categories were altered during this time period.

How to tell if you have a Special Art Rare card

If you are unsure whether the card you have pulled from a Booster Pack is a SAR card, there are several ways to confirm. Consider the following questions as you review the card:

Does the card say ‘SAR’ on the bottom left-hand corner? While some card types can be a little more flexible with their categories and symbols, you will never come across a Special Art Rare without this marker. If it’s not there, you may have an Art Rare or Super Rare instead.
Is the card designed with a full art layout? SAR cards are always complete artwork compositions. If the art is limited to the standard artwork box, then it belongs to a different category of cards.
Verifying the authenticity of the card requires some additional time and practice, as SAR cards are highly valuable and often counterfeited.

If you have obtained a Special Art Rare, be sure to protect it by sleeving it and storing it safely in your binder. Some SAR cards are highly sought after by collectors due to their elaborate designs, and can fetch a significant price.

As a collector, it is beneficial to consider looking into Hyper Rares and Ultra Rares. Familiarizing yourself with the grading process can also aid in determining the worth of a card.