TCGemsThe bottom of a card holds the information that tells one printing from another. Learning to read it takes a minute.
The card number
You will see something like 045/198. The first number is the card’s place in the set. The second is the size of the main set.
Numbers above the set size
A card numbered 201/198 is above the main count. These are secret rares and other special cards: full arts, special illustrations and gold cards. They are usually harder to pull.
The set symbol
A small symbol near the number shows which set the card comes from. The same artwork can appear in more than one set, and the symbol is how you tell them apart.
Set and language codes
Recent cards also print a short set code and a language code next to the number. These make it easier to tell an English printing from a Japanese one, for example.
The rarity mark
A circle, diamond or star shows how rare the card is in its set: common, uncommon or rare. Newer sets add more marks for the highest rarities.
Regulation marks
A letter in a small box shows which tournament formats the card is legal in. It does not change the price much, but it helps date the card.
Why it matters for scanning
When two cards look alike, the number and symbol decide which one you have. If the bottom of the card is hidden by glare or your fingers, the scanner has less to go on.