Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1983
Chance was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 6 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
COUNT 412 A//3∇420 R 11 4Runout side A, variant 1
COUNT 412 B//2∇420 R 1 1 5Runout side B, variant 1
COUNT 412 A//4∇420 R 1 1 tRunout side A, variant 2
COUNT 412 B//1∇420 R 1 1 4Runout side B, variant 2
COUP+4+B₆ ORLAKESide A, runout, etched
COUP+4+B₅ ORLAKESide B, runout, etched
COUNT 4 A-5 2 DAMONT ARUNRunout, A-side, variant 1
COUNT 4 B-5 2 DAMONTRunout, B-side, variant 1
COUNT 4 A-5 DAMONT C ARUNRunout, A-side, variant 2
COUNT 4 B-5 DAMONT ERunout, B-side, variant 2
COUNT 4 A//3 ▽420 R ARUNRunout side A variant 1
COUNT 4 B//4 ▽420 RRunout side B variant 1
COUNT 4 A // 4 ▽ 420 R ARUN 1 2 4Runout side A variant 2
COUNT 4 B // 4 ▽ 420 R 1 1 4Runout side B variant 2
COUNT 4 A//1 ∇420 R 12 2 ARUNSide A, Variant 1
COUNT 4 B//4 ∇420 R 12 6Side B, Variant 1
COUNT 4 A//4 ∇420 R 11 1 ARUNSide A, Variant 2
COUNT 4 B//2 ∇420 R 12 2Side B, Variant 2
COUNT 4 A//3 ▽420 R ARUN 11 18Runout side A, variant 1
COUNT 4 B//2 ▽420 R 12 6Runout side B, variant 1
COUNT 4 A//1▽420 R ARUN 12 3Runout side A, variant 2
COUNT 4 B//4 ▽420 R 11 9Runout side B, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 814 350-7First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 814 350-1First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Mercury COUNT 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 814 350-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 814 350 1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Mercury 814 350-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | South Africa | Mercury SV 0055First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | South Africa | Mercury TOS 1462First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury COUNT 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Phonogram COUNT 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury COUNT 4 / Phonogram 814 350-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury COUNT 4 / Phonogram 814 350-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury COUNT 99First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury COUNT 412First year12", 45 RPM, Advance | 12", 45 RPM, Advance |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury COUNT 412First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
26 vinyl pressings of Chance are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and more. One of them is Phonogram COUNT 412, released August 26, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use COUNT 412, COUP 4, COUNT 4, Count 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, COUNT 412 A//3∇420 R 11 4 and COUNT 412 B//2∇420 R 1 1 5. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
