Hanyu Yuzuru Playing Cards Collection - Queen of Hearts
Regular price $999,999.00(Get a quote now)
Queen of Hearts: A Stable Card in the Hanyu Card Series
The Queen of Hearts is one of the later bottled releases in the Hanyu (Hanyu) Card Series. Existing bottles generally maintain good original integrity, and its transaction frequency in international auctions is relatively stable. For collectors looking to acquire or complete the set, the Queen of Hearts is often mentioned. For sellers, this stable circulation means it has a clear valuation basis in the secondary market.
Background of the Hanyu Card Series
Hanyu was a single malt distillery in Saitama Prefecture that closed in 2000. After its closure, Ichiro Akuto matured and bottled the original whisky left by his father cask by cask, using playing card suits and numbers as the naming theme for the entire series, which took about ten years to complete. Each card is an independent single cask, with varying cask types, colors, and styles, and cannot be reproduced—this is the core reason why the Card Series has been long sought after in the collector's market.
As for the Queen of Hearts, it represents a batch in the series that was fully matured and bottled relatively late, with its market segment consistently trending upwards.
Queen of Hearts Specifications and Positioning
| Item | This Card's Characteristics |
| Card Rank | Queen (Heart Suit) |
| Distillation Year | Series description often states 2000 distillation (based on bottle inscription) |
| Cask Type | Refill sherry hogshead (single cask, mostly cask strength) |
| Rarity Level | High |
| Series Standing | Queen rank has slightly more circulation than King, but is essential for a complete set; market segment is stably trending upwards |
Market Depth of the Card Series
In 2019, a complete set of 54 cards sold for HKD 7 million at Bonhams Hong Kong, establishing the series' position in the auction market. Since then, individual cards have circulated annually through auction houses like Sotheby's, Whisky Auctioneer, and Bonhams, giving this series a market depth and pricing transparency far exceeding that of ordinary Japanese whiskies.
Key Identification Points for Queen of Hearts
The label of the Queen of Hearts features a frontal portrait of the Queen with a heart border. The gradient of the ruby on top of the crown is a common point for distinguishing authenticity—fakes often simplify the gradient into a single color block. We will cross-reference each item below.
| Assessment Item | Optimal Condition | Common Deductions |
| Fill Level | At the bottleneck, no significant drop. | Low fill level, suspected leakage. |
| Cork / Seal | Healthy and intact. | Cracked, previously opened and re-sealed. |
| Label Printing | Clear ruby gradient on the crown, intact border. | Missing gradient, blurry print, yellowing. |
| Cask Number & Bottle Number | Cask number engraving matches bottle number. | Cannot verify, unclear engraving. |
| Wooden Box / Certificate | Original and complete. | Missing box, missing certificate. |
A deficiency in one item will result in a graded markdown, but it can still be acquired.
Selling Process
- Get a quote by sending photos: Take five photos (front, back, neck fill level, bottle bottom, outer box) and send them to WhatsApp 46135750. We will reply with a reference range the same day.
- Arrange for transaction: On-site appraisal can be arranged at your location in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories, or Outlying Islands, or at our store. After confirming the condition, settlement will be made on the spot via cash or FPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If my Queen of Hearts doesn't have its original wooden box, will you still buy it?
Yes, we still acquire it. The whisky from closed distilleries is inherently rare, and a missing box will only result in a graded markdown based on condition. We will provide a reference price according to current market conditions.
Q: How can I initially determine if my item is genuine?
First, check the gradient of the ruby on the crown and whether the heart border is intact. Then, verify the cask number engraving against the bottle number. Take clear photos of these areas and send them to us for an initial online assessment; the final assessment will be done on-site.
Q: Why do quotes change over time?
The Queen of Hearts is an actively traded item, and international auction and private transaction prices fluctuate periodically. Our quotes reflect the current weekly range, so normal discrepancies may occur if you inquire at different times.
Instant quote via WhatsApp: 46135750
Other Individual Hanyu Playing Cards
Cask types and completeness vary for different card ranks in the same series. You can cross-reference the card rank before selling:
- Hanyu Card Series Ace of Diamonds Buyback Price
- Hanyu Card Series Colour Joker Buyback Price
- Hanyu Card Series 6 of Hearts Buyback Price
- Hanyu Card Series (Individual Card Acquisition) Buyback Price
Further Reading: Japanese Whisky Encyclopedia, Hong Kong & Macau Free Home Collection Service Process, Instant WhatsApp Quote.
