Pokemon Card Nicknames & Collector Slang
Collectors have their own language. Here's what the community terms actually mean, each explained with real cards and live prices.
Moonbreon
The community nickname for the Umbreon VMAX alternate art from Evolving Skies (#215/203). The moon-lit artwork earned it the name, and it's the most chased modern Pokemon card. Current market price: $2,283.14.
Gold Star Cards (★)
EX-era (2004-2007) chase cards marked with a gold ★ after the Pokemon's name, featuring shiny artwork that bleeds outside the frame. Extremely low pull rates made them grails. Our catalog tracks 29 of them.
Shining Cards
The original "shiny Pokemon" cards from Neo Revelation and Neo Destiny (2001-2002). Names literally start with "Shining", and the Neo Destiny triple-star rarity made them the first true chase cards after Base Set.
Delta Species (δ)
EX-era cards marked with a δ symbol: Pokemon with unusual types (a Lightning-type Charizard, for example). The Charizard ★ δ from Dragon Frontiers is among the most valuable cards in the entire hobby.
More Collector Terms
Alt Art / Alternate Art
A second, special-artwork printing of a card, usually a secret rare with a collector number above the printed set total. Moonbreon is the most famous example.
Secret Rare
Any card numbered beyond the printed set size (e.g. 215/203). Rainbow rares, gold cards and alt arts live here.
Chase Card
The card(s) everyone opens a set hoping to pull: the highest-value pulls that 'carry' the set's boxes.
Ancient Mew
The runic-script holographic Mew promo handed out during Pokemon: The Movie 2000's theatrical run. A sealed-product promo outside standard set numbering.
Crystal Cards
e-Card-era (2002-2003) secret rares where the Pokemon is rendered as a crystal. Found in Aquapolis and Skyridge, they're among the scarcest vintage chase cards.
Bulk
The commons and uncommons left after the good pulls, sold by the pound and worth pennies each.
Slab
A card professionally graded and sealed in a plastic holder (PSA, CGC or BGS).
Raw
An ungraded card. All prices on Ripdex are raw near-mint market prices.