Hanyu Yuzuru Playing Cards Series King of Hearts Buyback
Regular price $999,999.00(Get a quote now)
King of Hearts: The richest-bodied King among the four
In the Hanyu Playing Cards series, the King represents the highest rank across the four suits, consistently leading in market value. The King of Hearts, known for its rounded and robust sherry cask character, is considered by collectors to be the "most approachable" among the four Kings. Consequently, each appearance at auction elevates the overall attention on the entire Card Series. For sellers holding this particular card, its inherent buzz is a strong bargaining chip.
The legend of Hanyu Distillery and the Card Series
Hanyu Distillery, located in Saitama Prefecture, ceased production and closed down in 2000, making its original spirits a rare commodity. Ichiro Akuto, the third-generation owner, could not bear to see the remaining spirits in the distillery scattered. Over ten years (from 2005 to 2014), he meticulously bottled each cask as a "single card from a deck of playing cards," creating this iconic series of Japanese single malt single cask whiskies. Each cask matured independently without blending, and the King of Hearts originates from one such sherry cask. Once the cask was empty, no identical liquid remained.
King of Hearts Specifications
| Item | Characteristics of this card |
| Rank / Suit | King (Hearts) |
| Distillation Year | Series often described as distilled in 1985 (based on bottle inscription) |
| Cask Type | Mainly sherry butt (mostly single cask, cask strength) |
| Bottling Method | Single Cask Bottling, cask number stated on the bottle |
| Rarity Level | Extremely rare |
Whether traded individually or as a complete set, King cards command the highest prices, and their exposure at international auctions is among the highest in the series.
Market Depth and Auction Records
The market depth of the Hanyu Playing Cards series far surpasses that of ordinary Japanese whiskies: In addition to the complete set fetching over seven million Hong Kong dollars at Bonhams Hong Kong in 2019, setting a new auction record for Japanese whisky at the time, individual cards continue to circulate through international auction houses such as Sotheby's, Whisky Era, and Bonhams. Multi-channel, multi-year transaction data provides clear market benchmarks for the valuation of King cards.
Main Factors Affecting the Resale Price of King of Hearts
| Evaluation Item | Optimal Condition | Common Deductions |
| Heart Label | Rich warm red tone, prominent golden outline of heart scepter. | Golden outline printed too solidly, lacking depth, or yellowed/damp. |
| Fill Level | Liquid maintained at the bottleneck. | Lower fill level, suspected leakage. |
| Seal and Cork | Intact seal, healthy cork without cracks. | Previously opened, loose cork. |
| Cask and Bottle Numbers | Clear engravings, consistent with certificate. | Blurred numbers, inconsistent with accessories. |
| Original Wooden Box / Certificate | Complete wooden box and certificate. | Missing box, missing certificate. |
The main color of the King of Hearts label is warm red, and the golden outline of the king's heart scepter is a key point for authentication – fakes often print the gold too solidly, losing its three-dimensional effect. Any single deficiency will only result in a grading deduction, not necessarily a rejection.
How to prepare your King of Hearts for sale
- Get an estimated price for your King of Hearts: Take clear photos of the front, back label, fill level, seal, and box/certificate. WhatsApp them to 46135750. If you have an outer box, certificate, or old purchase records, please include those as well.
- Check the market range for your King of Hearts: Provide close-up photos of the specific theme, label design, box/certificate, seal, and bottle base. The condition of the label for themed editions often influences the price more than the bottle's name itself. We will then reply with a potential selling range based on market demand.
Frequently Asked Questions Before Selling King of Hearts
Q: How does the King of Hearts rank among the four Kings in terms of market value?
A: The King is the highest rank in the series, generally leading in market value. The King of Hearts, due to its appealing sherry cask style and high topicality, enjoys particularly stable market attention. After receiving your information, actual quotes will be compared with weekly transaction data from various auction houses to provide a reference range close to the market.
Q: Does storing a sherry cask King of Hearts for many years affect the quality?
A: No. Whisky has a high alcohol content, so as long as it remains unopened, the seal is intact, and it's stored in a cool, dry place, it will not deteriorate even after decades. The longer it has been out of production, the rarer the original condition, which actually benefits the seller.
Q: How can I get an accurate valuation for this King of Hearts I have?
A: Simply stating the name of the whisky is usually not enough. It's best to take clear photos of the fill level, seal, and any accessories. Buyers will first look at the playing card, vintage, cask number, and label condition. The more complete the information, the more accurate the valuation.
If you're preparing to sell your King of Hearts, take clear photos of the bottle, outer box, and certificate separately and send them via WhatsApp to 46135750. If the price is suitable, we can then arrange a home visit or meeting at our store.
Other Hanyu Playing Card Singles
Different ranks, suits, and cask types directly affect the valuation. Before selling, it's advisable to cross-reference the version:
- Hanyu Playing Cards Series King of Spades Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Cards Series (Single Card Purchase) Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Cards Series Queen of Clubs Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Cards Series Queen of Hearts Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Cards Series 10 OF CLUBS Buyback Price
Related pages: buyback services Description, FAQ, Hanyu Model List.
King of Hearts related models:Hanyu Playing Cards Series 3 of Hearts, Hanyu Playing Cards Series 6 of Hearts, Hanyu Playing Cards Series Queen of Hearts.
