Hanyu Yuzuru Playing Cards Series King of Diamonds Buyback
Regular price $999,999.00(Get a quote now)
King of Diamonds: The Most Frequently Cited Market Indicator in the Card Series
Among the four Kings in the Card Series, the King of Diamonds has the most frequent public transaction records. The international collector community has long regarded it as a market bellwether for the entire series. It can almost always be seen at the annual Japanese whisky auctions held by Bonhams Hong Kong and Sotheby's London. The Hanyu distillery closed in 2000, and its original cask spirits are limited. The supply of this high-ranking card will only become tighter and tighter – this is precisely the leverage held by sellers.
King of Diamonds Specification and Positioning
| Item | Characteristics of this Card |
| Card Rank | King (Diamonds suit) |
| Distillation Year | Series descriptions mostly indicate 1988 distillation (subject to bottle inscription) |
| Cask Type Description | Refill bourbon hogshead system (mostly single cask, cask strength) |
| Rarity Level | Extremely rare |
| Series Standing | King is the highest rank in all four suits. Whether traded individually or as a complete set, its market value is the highest, and it has one of the highest exposure rates in international auctions. |
Market Depth of the Card Series
After the Hanyu distillery ceased production, Ichiro Akuto reorganized approximately 400 remaining casks of original spirits, bottling them individually with a playing card theme. These were successively released starting in 2005, with the final card completed in 2014, thereby concluding the entire series, which comprises 54 cards in total.
In 2019, a complete set of 54 cards was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong for HK$7,192,000, representing the most iconic record for the Card Series in a public auction. Individual card auctions are simultaneously circulated in London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. The market depth far exceeds that of ordinary Japanese whisky, which is the basis for the stable valuation of these high-ranking cards.
Key Authentication Points for King of Diamonds and Factors Affecting Buyback Price
The King of Diamonds label features a diamond-shaped composition with a king's portrait in the center. When authenticating, please pay attention to the printing density of the folds in the king's cloak and the thickness of the cask number font. Counterfeits often lose gradient details in the cloak area. The table below outlines the inspection points for evaluation. Any missing item will result in a graded discount, but the item can still be purchased at the current week's market price.
| Evaluation Item | Optimal Condition | Common Deductions |
| Fill Level | Liquid level at the neck of the bottle. | Significant drop, suspected leakage. |
| Cork / Screw Cap | Perfectly sealed, no cracks. | Loose, previously opened and resealed. |
| Label Printing | Clear cloak gradient, full cask number font. | Yellowing, tears, blurred layers. |
| Cask Number & Bottle Number | Engraved cask number matches bottle number. | Illegible, unable to verify. |
| Original Wooden Box & Certificate | Complete with wooden box and certificate. | Missing box, missing certificate. |
King of Diamonds Valuation and Transaction Process
- Before inquiring about King of Diamonds, take these photos: Clearly photograph the front, back label, fill level, capsule, and box/certificate. WhatsApp them to 46135750; no need to bring the bottle out first.
- King of Diamonds: First, assess market range: For the same King of Diamonds, old labels, new labels, limited editions, or differences in box/certificate can lead to price variations. We will clarify the version before quoting.
- Face-to-face transaction: Free on-site service in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories. After authentication, payment is settled on the spot with cash or FPS, handled one-on-one throughout the process.
Common Valuation Questions for King of Diamonds
Q: Why is the King of Diamonds more sought after than Kings of other suits?
A: Because it has the most public transaction records, providing dense price reference points. Collectors generally use it as a market anchor for the entire Card Series, making it relatively active in circulation and negotiation.
Q: I want to sell a King of Diamonds, which photos are most crucial?
A: Photos of the front, back label, fill level, capsule, bottle bottom, and box/certificate are most useful. For limited editions, label patterns, box/certificate, capsule, and bottle bottom require close-up shots; the preservation of themed labels often influences the price more than the whisky name itself.
Q: Why do quotes change over time?
A: The King of Diamonds is an actively traded item in the public market. Each auction and private transaction can affect the price; our quotes are close to the current transaction range, not outdated prices from months ago.
If you wish to sell a King of Diamonds, you can first WhatsApp photos to 46135750; close-up shots are needed for limited themes, label patterns, box/certificate, capsule, and bottle bottom; the preservation of themed labels often influences the price more than the whisky name itself. If the photos are clear enough, we can usually determine an approximate price range.
Other Hanyu Playing Cards (Individual)
Within the Card Series, different suits and ranks directly affect the valuation. Before selling, it's advisable to check the version alignment:
- Hanyu Card Series Black Joker Buyback Price
- Hanyu Card Series King of Clubs Buyback Price
- Hanyu Card Series Queen of Clubs Buyback Price
- Hanyu Card Series King of Hearts Buyback Price
King of Diamonds Further Reading and Market References
King of Diamonds can also be compared with:Hanyu Card Series Ace of Diamonds, Hanyu Card Series Jack of Diamonds, Hanyu Card Series King of Clubs.
To learn more about the market prices of different vintages and versions of Hanyu, you can browse the Hanyu Buyback Models List, or refer to the Complete Guide to Japanese Whisky, or learn about the Hong Kong and Macau Free on-site Purchase Process.
