Vinyl pressings
by Charlie Haden · 1977
The Golden Number was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 4 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.
T1 AM SP 753 T11Side A runout, variant 1
T1 AM SP 754 T7Side B runout, variant 1
T1 AM SP 753 T5̶ 8Side A runout, variant 2
T1 AM SP 754 T5̶ 7Side B runout, variant 2
AM SP 753 T ̷5̷ 8Runout side A
AM SP 754 T ̷5̷ 7Runout side B
SP-727A HZ-753-MI (MR symbol circled) ◁22563 Canada WSide one - all hand written except MR symbol circled
SP-727B (HZ-754 crossed out) MI (MR symbol circled) (◁22563-X Canada crossed out) WSide two - all hand written except MR symbol circled
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Horizon SP-727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-727 (SP-754)First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Canada | Horizon SP-727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GP-3523 / Horizon GP-3523First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Horizon GP 3523First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Horizon AMLJ-727 / Horizon SP-727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Horizon SP-727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Horizon SP-727First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Horizon HOJ-2002 / A&M Records HOJ-2002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Japan | Horizon HOJ-2002 / A&M Records HOJ-2002LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Verve Records 602458948196LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Verve Records 602458948554LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
12 vinyl pressings of The Golden Number are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Canada, Japan, Netherlands. One of them is Horizon SP-727.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-727, GP-3523, AMLJ-727, SP-727 (SP-754)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 AM SP 753 T11 and T1 AM SP 754 T7. 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.
