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: $2,396.28.
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, among the scarcest vintage chase cards.
Bulk
The commons and uncommons left after the good pulls — sold by the pound, 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.