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Shiny Pokémon cards: what they are, the Japanese sets and how to spot them

Updated on 16/10/2026

Shiny Pokémon cards: what they are, the Japanese sets and how to spot them
Shiny Pikachu, Mimikyu and Snorlax and Mew ex SAR from Shiny Treasure ex
From the Japanese set Shiny Treasure ex: shiny Pikachu, Mimikyu and Snorlax (S rarity, with little stars in the background) and Mew ex SAR.

What shiny means

In the video games every Pokémon has an extremely rare alternative colouring called shiny: a black Charizard, a more orange Pikachu, a grey Mimikyu. Meeting one is a small event, and the cards celebrate it: shiny cards show the Pokémon in these colours, almost always with sparkling little stars in the background.

The Japanese and English shiny sets

🇯🇵 Japan🌍 International✨ GX Ultra Shiny2018Hidden Fates2019✨ Shiny Star V2020Shining Fates2021✨ Shiny Treasure ex2023Paldean Fates2024
The three big shiny Pokémon sets: they come out in Japan first, with the international version a year later under another name.

Shiny cards come out mostly in dedicated special sets. As always, Japan goes first: GX Ultra Shiny in 2018, Shiny Star V in 2020 and Shiny Treasure ex in 2023. The English version arrives a year later under a different name: Hidden Fates, Shining Fates, Paldean Fates.

The S and SSR rarities

Japanese codeWhat it meansIn English
SShiny PokémonShiny Rare
SSRShiny Pokémon ex or V in full-art versionShiny Ultra Rare
SAR / URThe rarest cards of the set, sometimes shinySpecial Illustration Rare / Hyper Rare

From Shiny Treasure ex in our catalogue

Palafin 339/190 — Shiny Treasure ex

Palafin

339/190

4,49 €2 pcs
Sold out
Wugtrio 338/190 — Shiny Treasure ex

Wugtrio

338/190

3,98 €0 pcs
Sold out
Pawmi 340/190 — Shiny Treasure ex

Pawmi

340/190

4,49 €0 pcs
Sold out
Rellor 209/190 — Shiny Treasure ex

Rellor

209/190

2,49 €0 pcs
Sold out
Scovillain 208/190 — Shiny Treasure ex

Scovillain

208/190

1,99 €0 pcs
Sold out
Capsakid 207/190 — Shiny Treasure ex

Capsakid

207/190

1,99 €0 pcs
Sold out
Toedscool 206/190 — Shiny Treasure ex

Toedscool

206/190

1,99 €0 pcs
Sold out
Arboliva 205/190 — Shiny Treasure ex

Arboliva

205/190

1,99 €0 pcs

How to recognise them

  • the Pokémon's colour is different from the usual one;
  • there are little stars and silvery reflections in the background;
  • on Japanese cards the rarity at the bottom left is S or SSR.

How much they're worth

As with every card, the Pokémon matters: Pikachu, Charizard, Mew and the most loved Pokémon in shiny versions are highly sought after, while many shinies of less popular Pokémon cost a few euros. They make a perfect collection for anyone who loves one Pokémon in particular: read how to start a collection.

Frequently asked questions

What are shiny Pokémon cards?+
Cards showing Pokémon in their rare alternative colouring, called shiny, the same one you very rarely encounter in the video games.
Which sets have shiny cards?+
Mostly special sets: in Japan GX Ultra Shiny (2018), Shiny Star V (2020) and Shiny Treasure ex (2023); in English Hidden Fates, Shining Fates and Paldean Fates.
What do S and SSR mean?+
On Japanese cards S marks a shiny Pokémon, SSR a rarer shiny Pokémon (usually an ex or V in full-art version).
Are shiny cards worth more?+
It depends on the Pokémon: Pikachu, Charizard, Mew and the most loved Pokémon in shiny versions are very sought after, the others often cost just a few euros.

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