Vinyl pressings
by Iron Maiden · 1982
The Number Of The Beast was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 10 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.
EMI 5287 A-5-1-2-2 NICKZRunout, side A, variant 1
EMI 5287 B-4Runout, side B, variant 1
EMI 5287 A-3 NICKZRunout, side A, variant 2
EMI 5287 B-4Runout, side B, variant 2
EMI 5287 A-3 NICKZRunout A Variant 1
EMI 5287 B-4Runout B Variant 1
EMI 5287 A-3 1 2 NICKZ 1Runout A Variant 2
EMI 5287 B-3 4 4 1Runout B Variant 2
EMI 5287A DJ-2-11-1Runout Side A
EMI 5287 B-4Runout Side B
EMI 5287ALabel Side A
EMI 5287BLabel Side B
EMI 5287 A-5-1-2-2 NICKZRunout Side A, Variant 1
EMI 5287 B-4Runout Side B, Variant 1
EMI 5287 A - 5 - 1 - 2 - 5 NICKZRunout Side A, Variant 2
EMI 5287 B - 3 6 1Runout Side B, Variant 2
EMI 5287 A-3 1 5 NICKZ 1Runout A
EMI 5287 B-4 1 0 2Runout B
EMI 5287ALabel A
EMI 5287BLabel B
EMI 5287 A-3Side A, Variant 1
EMI 5287 B-4Side B, Variant 1
EMI 5287 A-5-1-Q3Side A, Variant 2
EMI 5287 B-3-1-Q1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | Harvest 72888First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Capitol Records B-72888First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-07 638 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-07 638First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | EMI 1C K 052-07 638 Z12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Germany | EMI 052-07638ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | EMI 1C K052-07 638 ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint |
| 1982 | Guatemala | EMI ST-12202First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Guatemala | EMI ST-122027", Single, Repress | 7", Single, Repress |
| 1982 | Guatemala | EMI ST-122027", Single, Repress | 7", Single, Repress |
| 1982 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Philippines | EMI EMI-73-X-260First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-007638 / EMI 006-007638First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-007638 / EMI 006-007638First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | EMI EMI 5287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | EMI EMI 5287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | UK | EMI EM 666 / EMI 7243 8704167 77", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2005 | UK | EMI 12EM666 / EMI 7243 8704166 012", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Parlophone 2564625169 / Parlophone 52877", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2014 | US | BMG BMG14027V / BMG 8810341117777", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | EMI 12 EMS 18691 / Toshiba EMI 12 EMS 18691LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | EMI 12 EMS 18691 / Toshiba EMI 12 EMS 18691LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | EMI 12 EMS 18691 / Toshiba EMI 12 EMS 18691LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | EMI 12 EMS 18691 / Toshiba EMI 12 EMS 18691LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited |
| 2025 | Europe | EMI 12 EMS 18691 / Toshiba EMI 12 EMS 18691LP, Album, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Test pressing, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Test pressing, Limited |
41 vinyl pressings of The Number Of The Beast are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1982 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Australia, Europe, Netherlands and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5287, released April 26, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5287, EMI-753, 1C K 052-07 638 Z, 1A K052-1076386) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5287 A-5-1-2-2 NICKZ and EMI 5287 B-4. 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.
