Hanyu Poker Card Series: Queen of Clubs
Regular price $999,999.00(Get a quote now)
Queen of Clubs: The Most Scrutinized Single Card in the Hanyu Playing Card Series
The Hanyu (Hanyu) playing card series consists of 54 individual casks, corresponding to 54 playing cards. Comple a full set is extremely difficult, and among the four Queens, the Queen of Clubs is recognized by collectors as a "niche card with loyal followers." The reason is that collectors often prefer to acquire all four Queens at once, and single cards are rarely sold separately. As a result, the actual number of Queen of Clubs cards circulating in the market is even scarcer. For sellers who hold this card, this structure of "many people wanting to buy the full set, but few willing to sell a single card" is precisely what underpins its valuation.
About Ichiro's Malt Playing Card Series
The Hanyu Distillery ceased production and closed down in 2000. The last batch of unblended whisky before the closure was taken over and preserved by Ichiro Akuto, founder of Chichibu Distillery. These were then bottled individually by the single cask, released sequentially between 2005 and 2014, eventually forming this legendary collection themed around playing cards. Each card corresponds to a unique cask number, clearly indicating the distillation and bottling years, as well as the cask strength. There is no second cask with exactly the same liquid in the world—this is the fundamental source of the entire series' scarcity.
Queen of Clubs Specifications and Positioning
| Item | Characteristics of this card |
| Card Rank | Queen (Clubs suit) |
| Distillation Year | Generally 1988 for the series (as per bottle inscription) |
| Cask Type Description | Sherry butt / hogshead system, mostly single cask, cask strength bottling |
| Scarcity Level | High |
| Series Standing | Queen cards have slightly higher circulation than King cards, but they are essential for a complete set, and the market range remains stable and upward-trending over time. |
Key Identification Points Affecting the Buyback Price of the Queen of Clubs
The label of the Queen of Clubs features a profile portrait of the queen surrounded by a club border. When authenticating, pay special attention to the multi-color printing layers of the crown's jewels. Counterfeits often print the jewels as a single color block, which is one of the quickest identification clues.
| Assessment Item | Optimal Condition | Common Deductions |
| Fill Level | Liquid at the neck of the bottle, no significant drop. | Low fill level, suspected leakage. |
| Seal and Stopper | Intact seal, healthy cork or screw cap. | Damaged seal, previously opened, cracked stopper. |
| Label Printing | Clear multi-color layers of crown jewels, no yellowing or water marks. | Single color block, lifted edges, oil stains. |
| Cask and Bottle Number | Clear and matching cask and bottle numbers engraved on the bottle. | Fuzzy engraving, unable to verify. |
| Wooden Box and Certificate | Original wooden box and certificate complete. | Missing box, missing certificate. |
Any of the above deficiencies will result in a graded discount in the valuation, but it does not affect our acceptance of the goods—even if the box and certificate are missing, the discontinued single cask liquid itself remains scarce.
Market Depth of Queen of Clubs
The reason the playing card series can maintain a stable market is its public transaction records, which far exceed those of typical Japanese whiskies. In 2019, Bonhams Hong Kong sold a complete set of the playing card series for approximately seven million Hong Kong dollars. With Sotheby's, Whisky Auctioneer, and Bonhams annually circulating single cards in the international market, each card has a traceable transaction history. Our quotes are based on these recent transaction ranges.
Selling Process
- Initial Photo Evaluation: Send five-angle photos of the bottle (front, back, neck, bottom, outer box) via WhatsApp 46135750, and specify any known version information.
- Cask Number and Version Verification: Our team will compare the cask number, bottle number, and label details against current week's transaction ranges to provide a reference price.
- Arrange for Handover: We can arrange home visits or meet at our store across Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories, and outlying islands, and Macau. After authentication, payment will be settled on the spot with cash or FPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I only have a single Queen of Clubs, not a complete set. Will you still buy it?
Yes, we will. The playing card series was originally released as individual cards, each with a unique cask number and independent bottling, making each single card a distinct trading asset. While a complete set commands a premium, single cards are also valued based on their cask number and current market trends.
Q: How can I tell if my Queen of Clubs is authentic?
The most direct way is to verify the multi-color printing layers of the crown jewels and check if the cask and bottle numbers on the bottle correspond. Send us clear photos for an initial assessment, then we can arrange a detailed on-site inspection.
Q: It's been stored for many years, will the wooden box being damp make it worthless?
It will not be written off completely. The wooden box and certificate affect the condition grading, but the true core value lies in the discontinued single cask liquid itself. A damp wooden box will only result in a corresponding discount during valuation, and we can still purchase it at market reference prices.
Instant Quote via WhatsApp:46135750
Other Hanyu Playing Card Singles
The valuation of Hanyu playing cards can vary significantly depending on the card rank and cask number. Before selling, you can first verify the version:
- Hanyu Playing Card Series Jack of Diamonds Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series 6 of Spades Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series 8 of Clubs Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series King of Clubs Buyback Price
Further Reference
To understand more about the market trends for Hanyu cards of different ranks and vintages, you can browse the Hanyu model list, or check our recycling services instructions and recycling FAQs.
