Figured I’d add to this thread since I am a EX series reverse collector. The details of the rules for the reverse holo patterns are as follows.
The first 4 sets are ordinary reverse holos; the rest of the sets instead each have its unique holofoil pattern inside the art frame. Rare (or holo rare) reverse holos will have special adornments.
Traits of reverse holo cards from EX era:
- Stamp on bottom: For Hidden Legends/Firered & Leafgreen, a stamp appears on rare reverse holos
- Silver Star Rarity Symbol: Instead of the regular star, rares or holo rares may have the symbol replaced by a silver star like those you would see for ex cards
- Set Stamp: Set stamp (the logo for the set) appears inside art frame. For some sets, there is a normal (nearly completely white/silver) and colored stamp (filled in with the set color). For example, in EX emerald, regular reverse holos have EX Emerald stamped in silver, but rare or above reverses have it stamped in green. For other sets, the stamp may only have a variation whether the stamp is holo or not with no change in color, depending on the rarity of the card.
- Gold Name/HP: Name and HP of the card are printed in gold (again, depending on rarity).
- Pokemon holo instead of background: When delta species are introduced, most holo delta species cards have the pokemon in holo instead of the background (common for regular cards). However, only some delta species reverse holos have this trait.
Here is a table of which rules apply to which sets:
| Set | Stamp on bottom | Silver Star Rarity Symbol | Normal Set Stamp | Special Set Stamp | Gold Name/HP | Pokemon holo instead of background |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EX Hidden Legends | Rare or above. Type Symbol(s) | No | No | No | No | No |
| EX Firered & Leafgreen | Rare or above. Pokeball | Rare or above | No | No | No | No |
| EX Team Rocket Returns | No | Rare or above | Holo | Colored. Rare or above | Rare or above | No |
| EX Deoxys | No | Rare or above | Holo | Colored. Rare or above | Rare or above | No |
| EX Emerald | No | Rare or above | Holo | Colored. Rare or above | Rare or above | No |
| EX Unseen Forces | No | Rare or above | Holo | Colored. Rare or above | Rare or above | No |
| EX Delta Species | No | Rare or above | Non-holo | Holo. Rare or above | Rare or above | Holo rare delta species only |
| EX Legend Maker | No | Rare or above | Non-holo | No | Rare or above | No |
| EX Holon Phantoms | No | Holo Rare or above | Non-holo | Holo rare or above | Holo rare or above | Holo rare delta species only |
| EX Crystal Guardians | No | Rare or above | Non-holo | Rare or above | Rare or above | Delta species only |
| EX Dragon Frontiers | No | Holo Rare or above | Non-holo | Holo rare or above | Holo rare or above | Delta species only |
| EX Power Keepers | No | Holo Rare or above | Non-holo | No | Holo rare or above | No |
Trivia:
- Out of the first 4 sets, only in Ruby & Sapphire does the reverse foil extends slightly into the art frame so there is a thin foil border overlaid on top of the artwork inside the frame.
- The reverse holo pattern for EX Legend Maker is just the normal holo pattern for any regular non-reverse holo rare card during the era
- The true reverse holo pattern for EX Unseen Forces can only be seen at a particular angle under strong light. Try tilting the card left and right to see the 3D effect.
- If a pokemon in EX Hidden Legends has two types, both types will appear in the stamp at the bottom.
- The reverse foil pattern for EX Holon Phantoms and EX Dragon Frontier is the same
- The reverse foil pattern of EX Delta Species and EX Power Keepers is the same