Hanyu Yuzuru Playing Card Series King of Spades Buyback
Regular price $999,999.00(Get a quote now)
King of Spades: The King with the deepest character and most individuality among the four Kings
The Hanyu Playing Card series features the King as the highest card of the four suits, and its market value has always been the highest. The King of Spades, in particular, often involves Mizunara casks, making its flavor profile the most distinct among the four Kings. Collectors generally consider its character the deepest, and this distinctiveness has allowed its auction prices to consistently outperform other Spades cards. For sellers holding this card, the rarity of the Mizunara cask is its unique selling point.
Ichiro's Malt: The distillery's closure and rebirth
The Hanyu distillery ceased production and closed in 2000, leaving behind only a batch of unnoticed raw spirits. After taking over, the third-generation owner, Ichiro Akuto, did not let these raw spirits scatter. Instead, he meticulously evaluated each cask and bottled them in batches, completing this Japanese single malt series themed after playing cards between 2005 and 2014. Each cask is independent and not blended or supplemented. The King of Spades comes from one of these casks with a particularly outstanding character—once sold out, the same liquid will not reappear, which is the root cause of the series' increasing scarcity.
King of Spades Specifications and Positioning
| Item | Characteristics of this card |
| Card Rank / Suit | King (Spades) |
| Distillation Year | Series description often states 1986 distillation (subject to bottle engraving) |
| Cask Type | Mizunara cask or hogshead series (mostly single cask, cask strength) |
| Bottling Method | Single Cask bottling, each cask independent, no supplementation |
| Rarity Level | Extremely rare |
The King cards, whether individual or as a complete set, rank high in market value within the series. Versions involving Mizunara casks, due to the inherent rarity of the cask source, receive particularly prominent market attention.
Market Depth and Auction Records
The activity of the Hanyu Playing Card series in the secondary market far surpasses that of ordinary Japanese whiskies. The complete Card Series was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong in 2019 for HK$7,192,000, setting a then-record for Japanese whisky auctions and remaining the most frequently cited transaction benchmark for this series. The King card, as the leading rank, also has the most comprehensive valuation references.
Main Factors Affecting the Buyback Price of King of Spades
| Assessment Item | Optimal Condition | Common Deductions |
| Spades Label | Dark main tone, calm; king's sword hilt and shield printed in clear two colors. | Shield printed in single color, lacking depth, or yellowed/damp. |
| Fill Level | Liquid maintained at neck level. | Fill level dropped, suspected leakage. |
| Seal and Cork | Intact seal, healthy cork without cracks. | Previously opened, cork sunken. |
| Cask Number and Bottle Number | Clear engraving, consistent with certificate. | Blurred number, inconsistent with accessories. |
| Original Wooden Box / Certificate | Complete wooden box and certificate. | Missing box, missing certificate. |
The main color of the King of Spades label is dark, and the two-color printing of the king's sword hilt and shield is a key point for identification—counterfeits often print the shield in a single color. Any missing item will only result in a grade discount, not a rejection.
King of Spades Buyback Quote Process
- Take these photos before inquiring about King of Spades price: Clearly photograph the front, back label, fill level, seal, and box/certificate. Send them via WhatsApp to 46135750. We will first assess the version and condition based on the photos.
- Prevent King of Spades from being valued as a regular edition: If the King of Spades is an old or limited edition, we will first verify the version and accessories item by item, then arrange a collection time.
Frequently Asked Questions Before King of Spades Valuation
Q: Do I need to gather all the box and certificate before King of Spades valuation?
A: Having the box and certificate is certainly best; if you can't find them temporarily, we can still evaluate the bottle itself. Close-up photos of the limited edition theme, label design, box and certificate, seal, and bottle bottom are needed; the label's condition for themed versions often affects the price more than the whisky's name itself.
Q: How can I initially authenticate King of Spades?
A: First, check if the king's sword hilt and shield are printed in two colors and if the layers are distinct; counterfeits often print the shield in a single color. Then, verify if the engraved cask number matches the bottle number. During formal appraisal, our team will cross-check each item.
Q: Can collection be arranged for remote areas or outlying islands?
A: Yes. Appointments can be made for on-site service or meeting at our store in Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories, outlying islands, and Macau. The method is chosen by the seller, and the process is one-on-one, with immediate settlement upon verification.
If you only want to know the approximate resale price of King of Spades, there's no need to bring the bottle out yet; simply photograph the front and back labels, fill level, seal, and accessories clearly, and send them via WhatsApp to 46135750. We will first verify the version based on the photos.
Other Hanyu Playing Cards
Different card ranks, suits, and cask types will directly affect the valuation. Please verify the version before selling:
- Hanyu Playing Card Series King of Diamonds Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series 3 of Hearts Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series 6 OF CLUBS Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series Queen of Clubs Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series King of Clubs Buyback Price
Related pages: buyback Service Description, FAQ, Hanyu Model List.
King of Spades can also be cross-referenced with:Hanyu Playing Card Series 6 of Spades, Hanyu Playing Card Series King of Clubs, Hanyu Playing Card Series King of Diamonds.
