{
  "url": "https://www.moonstonehq.com/articles/illustration-rare-pokemon-card-value",
  "slug": "illustration-rare-pokemon-card-value",
  "title": "Illustration Rare Pokemon Card Value: What an IR and an SIR Are Worth",
  "summary": "The median Illustration Rare asks $11.99, the median Special Illustration Rare $34.28. Slabbed, the IR sells for 12.24x its ask and the SIR for 3.40x.",
  "section": "Quant research",
  "published": "2026-09-28",
  "readMinutes": 9,
  "publisher": "moonstone",
  "findings": [
    {
      "value": "$11.99",
      "measures": "median Illustration Rare ask",
      "basis": "482 English IRs, one day, September 28, 2026"
    },
    {
      "value": "$34.28",
      "measures": "median Special Illustration Rare ask",
      "basis": "222 SIRs, 2.86x the IR median"
    },
    {
      "value": "12.24x",
      "measures": "what a PSA 10 adds to an Illustration Rare",
      "basis": "475 cards, sold median against that card's own ask"
    },
    {
      "value": "3.40x",
      "measures": "what a PSA 10 adds to a Special Illustration Rare",
      "basis": "218 cards, roughly a quarter of the IR's premium"
    }
  ],
  "tables": [
    {
      "title": "Ask distribution by tier, 704 English cards, 2026-09-28",
      "columns": [
        "Tier",
        "Cards",
        "25th",
        "Median",
        "75th",
        "90th",
        "Highest ask",
        "Under $5",
        "$100 or more"
      ],
      "rows": [
        {
          "Tier": "Illustration Rare",
          "Cards": "482",
          "25th": "$6.01",
          "Median": "$11.99",
          "75th": "$22.65",
          "90th": "$41.83",
          "Highest ask": "$368.75",
          "Under $5": "19.92%",
          "$100 or more": "0.83% (4)"
        },
        {
          "Tier": "Special Illustration Rare",
          "Cards": "222",
          "25th": "$19.13",
          "Median": "$34.28",
          "75th": "$71.06",
          "90th": "$189.37",
          "Highest ask": "$1,384.05",
          "Under $5": "2.25%",
          "$100 or more": "18.92% (42)"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "PSA 10 sold medians by the sales each one rests on",
      "columns": [
        "Verified sales required",
        "IR cards",
        "IR PSA 10 median",
        "IR against its own ask",
        "SIR cards",
        "SIR PSA 10 median",
        "SIR against its own ask"
      ],
      "rows": [
        {
          "Verified sales required": "3 or more",
          "IR cards": "475",
          "IR PSA 10 median": "$152.50",
          "IR against its own ask": "12.24x",
          "SIR cards": "218",
          "SIR PSA 10 median": "$115.80",
          "SIR against its own ask": "3.40x"
        },
        {
          "Verified sales required": "10 or more",
          "IR cards": "441",
          "IR PSA 10 median": "$146.00",
          "IR against its own ask": "11.81x",
          "SIR cards": "216",
          "SIR PSA 10 median": "$116.74",
          "SIR against its own ask": "3.39x"
        },
        {
          "Verified sales required": "20 or more",
          "IR cards": "376",
          "IR PSA 10 median": "$120.13",
          "IR against its own ask": "10.91x",
          "SIR cards": "207",
          "SIR PSA 10 median": "$119.99",
          "SIR against its own ask": "3.31x"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Every set holding 5 or more priced cards in both tiers, ordered by SIR premium",
      "columns": [
        "Set",
        "Released",
        "IR median ask",
        "SIR median ask",
        "SIR over IR, asks",
        "IR PSA 10 median (cards)",
        "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)",
        "SIR over IR, PSA 10"
      ],
      "rows": [
        {
          "Set": "[Perfect Order](/set/perfect%20order)",
          "Released": "2026-03",
          "IR median ask": "$2.04",
          "SIR median ask": "$42.74",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "20.95x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$49.50 (11)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$121.94 (6)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "2.46x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Mega Evolution](/set/mega%20evolution)",
          "Released": "2025-09",
          "IR median ask": "$3.75",
          "SIR median ask": "$54.91",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "14.66x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$44.62 (22)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$126.38 (10)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "2.83x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Ascended Heroes](/set/ascended%20heroes)",
          "Released": "2026-01",
          "IR median ask": "$4.80",
          "SIR median ask": "$62.74",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "13.07x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$48.84 (33)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$155.70 (22)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "3.19x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Chaos Rising](/set/chaos%20rising)",
          "Released": "2026-05",
          "IR median ask": "$2.54",
          "SIR median ask": "$28.03",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "11.03x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$78.00 (11)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$110.75 (6)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "1.42x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Destined Rivals](/set/destined%20rivals)",
          "Released": "2025-05",
          "IR median ask": "$6.64",
          "SIR median ask": "$59.96",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "9.03x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$99.12 (23)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$142.50 (11)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "1.44x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Journey Together](/set/journey%20together)",
          "Released": "2025-03",
          "IR median ask": "$4.75",
          "SIR median ask": "$39.23",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "8.26x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$79.99 (11)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$129.75 (6)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "1.62x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Twilight Masquerade](/set/twilight%20masquerade)",
          "Released": "2024-05",
          "IR median ask": "$8.32",
          "SIR median ask": "$34.20",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "4.11x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$90.71 (21)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$115.00 (11)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "1.27x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Phantasmal Flames](/set/phantasmal%20flames)",
          "Released": "2025-11",
          "IR median ask": "$4.04",
          "SIR median ask": "$16.26",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "4.02x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$60.50 (13)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$70.00 (5)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "1.16x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Surging Sparks](/set/surging%20sparks)",
          "Released": "2024-11",
          "IR median ask": "$8.31",
          "SIR median ask": "$28.71",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "3.45x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$100.00 (23)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$102.75 (11)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "1.03x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Stellar Crown](/set/stellar%20crown)",
          "Released": "2024-09",
          "IR median ask": "$8.25",
          "SIR median ask": "$26.63",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "3.23x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$75.00 (13)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$76.68 (6)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "1.02x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Black Bolt](/set/black%20bolt)",
          "Released": "2025-07",
          "IR median ask": "$16.39",
          "SIR median ask": "$45.56",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "2.78x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$288.20 (68)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$97.97 (7)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "0.34x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[White Flare](/set/white%20flare)",
          "Released": "2025-07",
          "IR median ask": "$16.97",
          "SIR median ask": "$44.68",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "2.63x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$267.00 (69)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$97.00 (7)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "0.36x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Temporal Forces](/set/temporal%20forces)",
          "Released": "2024-03",
          "IR median ask": "$19.32",
          "SIR median ask": "$36.94",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "1.91x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$153.13 (22)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$122.93 (10)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "0.80x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[151](/set/151)",
          "Released": "2023-09",
          "IR median ask": "$44.18",
          "SIR median ask": "$83.70",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "1.89x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$297.24 (16)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$386.00 (7)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "1.30x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Paradox Rift](/set/paradox%20rift)",
          "Released": "2023-11",
          "IR median ask": "$14.16",
          "SIR median ask": "$15.45",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "1.09x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$117.54 (34)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$103.75 (15)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "0.88x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Shrouded Fable](/set/shrouded%20fable)",
          "Released": "2024-08",
          "IR median ask": "$26.82",
          "SIR median ask": "$25.50",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "0.95x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$169.99 (15)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$99.00 (5)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "0.58x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Paldea Evolved](/set/paldea%20evolved)",
          "Released": "2023-06",
          "IR median ask": "$19.37",
          "SIR median ask": "$17.62",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "0.91x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$231.00 (36)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$97.50 (15)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "0.42x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Scarlet & Violet](/set/scarlet%20%26%20violet)",
          "Released": "2023-03",
          "IR median ask": "$13.33",
          "SIR median ask": "$10.53",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "0.79x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$232.98 (19)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$95.50 (10)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "0.41x"
        },
        {
          "Set": "[Obsidian Flames](/set/obsidian%20flames)",
          "Released": "2023-08",
          "IR median ask": "$12.47",
          "SIR median ask": "$5.55",
          "SIR over IR, asks": "0.44x",
          "IR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$231.75 (12)",
          "SIR PSA 10 median (cards)": "$97.10 (6)",
          "SIR over IR, PSA 10": "0.42x"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "charts": [
    {
      "title": "Share clearing $100, raw against graded",
      "unit": "%",
      "note": "Asks on 2026-09-28 across 482 IRs and 222 SIRs. The PSA 10 bars are sold medians on 3 or more verified sales, which covers 475 of the 482 IRs and 218 of the 222 SIRs. Raw and graded are different instruments and are not added together anywhere.",
      "points": [
        {
          "label": "IR, raw ask",
          "value": 0.83,
          "basis": "4 of 482"
        },
        {
          "label": "SIR, raw ask",
          "value": 18.92,
          "basis": "42 of 222"
        },
        {
          "label": "SIR, PSA 10 sold median",
          "value": 61.01,
          "basis": "133 of 218"
        },
        {
          "label": "IR, PSA 10 sold median",
          "value": 65.26,
          "basis": "310 of 475"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Median SIR ask against median IR ask, by the year the set released",
      "unit": "x",
      "note": "19 English sets holding 5 or more priced cards in both tiers, asks on 2026-09-28. Each bar is the median of the per-set ratios in that year, not a pooled ratio, so one large set cannot carry a year. Sets are grouped by release year, not followed through time.",
      "points": [
        {
          "label": "2026 sets",
          "value": 13.07,
          "basis": "3 sets"
        },
        {
          "label": "2025 sets",
          "value": 6.14,
          "basis": "6 sets"
        },
        {
          "label": "2024 sets",
          "value": 3.23,
          "basis": "5 sets"
        },
        {
          "label": "2023 sets",
          "value": 0.91,
          "basis": "5 sets"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sections": [
    "What an IR is, and what an SIR is",
    "What each one asks, raw",
    "What share of them clear $100",
    "Graded, the IR carries the premium",
    "Does the SIR premium hold as a set ages?",
    "What would overturn this"
  ],
  "method": [
    "UNIVERSE. English rows in `cards` carrying a non-empty TCGplayer product id, collapsed to one row per product id, whose `rarity` field lowercases to \"illustration rare\" or \"special illustration rare\". That field carries two spellings, \"Illustration rare\" on 496 rows and \"Illustration Rare\" on 4, so matching case-sensitively drops four cards; all four of those are 30th Celebration and fall outside this study anyway. 732 rows resolve to 728 products, 4 rows carrying no product id. No two of the 728 share a product id, so the catalog-duplicate collapse that costs about 3% elsewhere costs nothing here. EXCLUSIONS: the 24 products from 30th Celebration (17 IR, 7 SIR), because the set released 2026-09-16, its prices are still moving off preorder, and not one of the 24 carries a graded sale. That leaves 482 Illustration Rares and 222 Special Illustration Rares across 22 sets. Japanese rows are out of scope throughout. TRAINER AND EX CLASSIFICATION is by name against `cards.name`, because `cards` carries no card-type column: 157 of the 222 SIRs carry \"ex\" as a word in the name, and the remaining 65 names were read by hand and are all trainers. DAY: 20724, which is 2026-09-28, pinned rather than taken as the newest day, because it is the most recent day on which the ask, the per-printing and the graded sources are all complete. ASKS: `price_history` day 20724, the TCGplayer market price for the flagship printing, which is a listing price and never a sale. All 704 products carry one. FINISHES: `tcgcsv_prices` day 20724, which returns exactly one priced printing for each of the 704, Holofoil in every case. GRADED: `graded_snapshots`, PSA 10 rows only, the latest row per key on or before day 20724, read across both keyspaces the table uses (numeric product id and catalog id) with the fresher row winning and ties going to the product-id row. 30 of the 693 covered cards carry rows in both keyspaces and 4 resolve to the catalog-id row; same-day rows in the two keyspaces can disagree sharply, so under the opposite tie-break the two headline multiples read 12.18x and 3.43x while every count, pooled median and share above is unchanged. A card page has no tie-break of its own and may show a reader the other figure. The writing cron withholds a quoted-grade row for four separate reasons, so \"no median\" means our writer published no PSA 10 row for that card and never a value of zero: fewer than three verified sales, a median above sixty times the raw ask on the day it was written, a median below three tenths of it, or a card the budgeted queue did not reach. 7 IRs and 4 SIRs are in that position and appear in no figure here; seven of the eleven carry a PSA 9 row, so for those the feed answered and withheld only the ten. 475 IRs and 218 SIRs carry a median at 3 or more sales, 441 and 216 at 10 or more, 376 and 207 at 20 or more. Every median used was written within three days of the pinned day. That sixty-times rule is a censoring rule and it shapes the top of this study: the largest PSA 10 multiple among the 693 covered cards is 59.8x and not one reaches 60x, so the widest gaps quoted here are read off the rows that survived the filter rather than off an uncensored population. Across the whole catalogue that ceiling is not absolute, because an ask can fall after a row is written, but on these cards the asks have not drifted enough for that. The join was checked rather than assumed: the card name in `cards` agrees with the name on the graded row for 693 of 693 matches. SET COMPARISON: a set enters when it holds 5 or more priced products in each tier, which admits 19 of the 22 and drops Prismatic Evolutions and ME05: Pitch Black (no IRs) and Paldean Fates (3 IRs). Release dates are the provider publication dates in `tcgcsv_groups`, matched by the same leading-prefix rule the set pages use, plus two explicit overrides the prefix rule cannot reach: \"SV01: Scarlet & Violet Base Set\" to Scarlet & Violet and \"SV: Scarlet & Violet 151\" to 151. Without those two, Scarlet & Violet and 151 resolve to nothing and the 2023 cohort loses two of its five sets. A third mapping, \"ME: 30th Celebration Classic Collection\" to 30th Celebration, is applied for completeness and changes nothing, because the set is excluded and its main provider group already matches the prefix rule at the same date. Per-set graded medians are taken at 3 or more sales and the card count is printed beside each; the 8-of-19 count and all four yearly readings are unchanged at 8 or more and at 20 or more. The yearly figures are medians of per-set ratios, not pooled ratios. MEDIAN CONVENTION, stated because two studies quoted above use the other one: an even-sample median here is the mean of the two middle values, where `pokemon-card-rarity-chart-by-value` and `psa-10-premium-distribution` take the upper-middle value. It moves two figures in this article and nothing else. On the upper-middle convention the SIR median ask is $34.35 rather than $34.28 and the SIR PSA 10 median at three or more sales is $116.47 rather than $115.80; the IR ask median, both headline multiples and the 2.86x step are identical either way, because those samples are odd. The rank correlation of 0.85 is Spearman between release date and the per-set SIR-over-IR ask ratio across the 19 sets. This is a cross-section of sets of different ages on one day, not a series following any set through time. FIGURES FROM OTHER STUDIES are attributed and dated where they appear and were not recomputed here."
  ],
  "terms": "Figures are moonstone's own recorded measurements, dated as published. Quote them with the population stated beside them. The article at `url` is the human form of this file."
}