Vinyl pressings
by Iron Maiden · 1984
Aces High was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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.
12 EMI 5502 A-1U-1-1-4 SHOOT THE FOCKE... [Utopia lyre symbol]Side A runout - variant 1
12 EMI 5502 B-1U-1-1-1 ROBBIE + SHARONSide B runout- variant 1
12 EMI 5502 A-1U-1-1-3 SHOOT THE FOCKE... [Utopia lyre symbol]Side A runout - variant 2
12 EMI 5502 B-1U-1-1-3 ROBBIE + SHARONSide B runout - variant 2
EMI 5502-A-2U-1-1Side A runout, variant 1
EMI 5502-B-2U-1-2Side B runout, variant 1
EMI 5502-A-1U-1-1-2 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
EMI 5502-B-2U-1-1-3 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
EMI-5502-A-1U-1-Q2-2 STERLINGSide A
EMI-5502-B-1U-1-Q2-1 STERLINGSide B
EMI-5502-A-1U-1-Q2-11 STERLINGSide A, variant 2
EMI-5502-B-1U-1-Q2-7 STERLINGSide B, variant 2
EMI-5502-A-2U-1-Q2 STERLINGSide 1
EMI-5502-B-2U-1-Q2 STERLINGSide 2
[stamped]12 EMI 5502 A-2U-1-1-2 [etched ]SHOOT THE FOCKE... [Utopia lyre symbol]
[stamped]12 EMI 5502 B-1U-1-2-1 [etched] ROBBIE + SHARON
12+EMIP+5502-A SHOOT THE FOCKE.... ƱTOPIAA side runout, variant 1
12+EMIP+5502-B B ORLAKEB side runout, variant 1
12+EMIP+5502+A SHOOT THE FOCKE.... ƱTOPIAA side runout, variant 2
12+EMIP+5502+B ORLAKEB side runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMI. 1397 / EMI EMI-1397First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1443First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD 54First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 006 20 0418 7 / EMI 006-2004187First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 006 20 0418 7 / EMI 006-2004187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5502First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5502First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | US | Capitol Records SPRO-9280First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C K062 20 0385 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1A 006 20 0418 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 052 20 0385 6 / EMI 052-2003856First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5502 / EMI 12EMI 5502First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5502First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5502First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5502First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Parlophone 2564624867 / Parlophone 55027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | Sanctuary BMG14031V / Sanctuary 8810341118147", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | EMI 052-200385612", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Greece | EMI 052-200385612", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
34 vinyl pressings of Aces High are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Europe, Spain and more. One of them is EMI 12 EMI 5502, released October 22, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 EMI 5502, EMI 5502, 12 EMI P 5502, SPRO-9280) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 EMI 5502 A-1U-1-1-4 SHOOT THE FOCKE... [Utopia lyre symbol] and 12 EMI 5502 B-1U-1-1-1 ROBBIE + SHARON. 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.
