Vinyl pressings
by John Lennon · 1973
Mind Games was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
49 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 27 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.
7YCE 21736-2U AM TR S-45-X-48158-Z10 -Runout A, variant 1
7YCE 21737-2U AM TR S-45-X-48169-Z10 -Runout B, variant 1
7YCE 21736-2U TR AG S-45-X-48158-Z10 1Runout A, variant 2
7YCE 21737-2U T 1 S-45-X-48169-Z10Runout B, variant 2
7YCE 21736-2U AGStamped A
7YCE 21737-2U TStamped B
7YCE.21736Label A
7YCE.21737Label B
7YCE 21736 -2UA Side Stamped
7YCE 21737 -2UB Side Stamped
S - 45 - X - 48158 - Z 10A Side Etched
S - 45 - X - 48169 - Z 10B Side Etched
7YCE 21736-2UStamped A
7YCE 21737-2UStamped B
7YCE.21736Label A
7YCE.21737Label B
S-45-X-48158-Z3 1868 TR 0Etched Runout Side A Variant 1
S-45-X-48169 Z6 1868 #3 TR 0Etched Runout Side B Variant 1
S-45-X-48158-Z-4 1868-3 TR 0Etched Runout Side A Variant 2
S-45-X-45169 Z5 1868#5 TR 0Etched Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Angola | Apple Records 8E 006 05494MFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Apple Records R 5994First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Apple Records 4C 006-05494 / Apple Records C 006-05494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Apple Records R 5994 / Apple Records 4 C006_05494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Apple Records 1868First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | Apple Records 1868First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Chile | EMI 1026First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Denmark | Apple Records R 5994First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Apple Records 2C 008-05494 / Apple Records 2C 008-05.494First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-05 494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-05 494 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-05 494First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-05 494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Apple Records 05 494First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | Apple Records R 5994First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | Apple Records R 5994First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Odeon EAS-171287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Capitol Records 18687", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Capitol Records 18687", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records 18687", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Ireland | Apple Records R 59947", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | South East Asia | Apple Records R 59947", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
65 vinyl pressings of Mind Games are listed here, from 31 countries, released between 1973 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, New Zealand, Australia and more. One of them is Apple Records R 5994, released November 16, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 5994, 1868, P-1868, NZP.3463) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7YCE 21736-2U AM TR S-45-X-48158-Z10 - and 7YCE 21737-2U AM TR S-45-X-48169-Z10 -. 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.
