Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1975
Golden Years was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 14 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.
RCA 2640-A-IE A4D MRunout [etched] side A (variation 1)
RCA 2640-B-IE A3AD MRunout [etched] side B (variation 1)
RCA 2640-A-IE A1AC·M·Runout [etched] side A (variation 2)
RCA 2640-B-IE A3Y·M·Runout [etched] side B (variation 2)
RCA 2640-A-IE A4D WRunout side A, variant 1
RCA 2640-B-IE A3AD WRunout side B, variant 1
RCA 2640-A-IE AIC WRunout side A, variant 2
RCA 2640-B-IE AII WRunout side B, variant 2
RCA 2640-A-IE A5 MRunout side A, etched
RCA 2640-B-IE A6 MRunout side B, etched
RCA 2640 ALabel side A
RCA 2640 BLabel side B
RCA 2640-A-IE A1W 'W'Runout, Side A
RCA 2640-B-IE A3S 'W'Runout, Side B
RCA 2640-A-IE A2A WRunout [etched] side A, variant 1
RCA 2640-B-IE A4A WRunout [etched] side B, variant 1
RCA 2640-A-IE A2M WRunout [etched] side a, variant 2
RCA 2640-B-IE A3T WRunout [etched] side B, variant 2
RCA 2640-A-IE A1Q 'W'Runout, Side A
RCA 2640-B-IE A3Q 'W'Runout, Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | RCA Victor 102708First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Belgium | RCA Victor YBPBO.415 / RCA Victor YBPBO - 415First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Belgium | RCA Victor YBPBO.415 / RCA Victor YBPBO-415First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10441First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | El Salvador | RCA Victor PB-10441First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | France | RCA Victor PB 10441First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor PB - 10 441 / RCA Victor 26.11346First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor PB - 10 441 / RCA Victor 26.11346First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Greece | RCA Victor RCS 4021 / RCA Victor PB 10441First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | Greece | RCA Victor RCS 4021 / RCA Victor PB 104417", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 102708First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1975 | Portugal | RCA Victor PB - 10 441 / RCA Victor PB-10441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Rhodesia | RCA Victor 42-656 / RCA Victor PB 10441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-656 / RCA Victor PB 10441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 508 / RCA RCA 24607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 508 / RCA 26407", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA BOW 508 / RCA 26407", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK, Europe & US | Parlophone DBGOLD40 / Parlophone 08256460794457", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | El Salvador | RCA PB-104417", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of Golden Years are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1975 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2640, released November 17, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2640, PB-10441, JH-10441, 102708) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA 2640-A-IE A4D M and RCA 2640-B-IE A3AD M. 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.
