Vinyl pressings
by Judy Cheeks · 1980
Mercy was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 3 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.
102 690 A-1/80S 020 Made in Germany MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout A
020 102 690 B-1/80S MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. Made in GermanyRunout B
S 102 690 ALabel A
S 102 690 BLabel B
600312 A-1/80S MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. Made in GermanyRunout side A
020 600312 B-1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. Made in GermanyRunout side B
600312 A-1/80S MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. Made in GermanyRunout Groove Side A
020 600312 B-1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. Made in GermanyRunout Groove 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Ariola 103 155First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 102 690 / Ariola 102 690-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 600 312 - 213First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Ariola 600 312 - 213 / Ariola 600 312First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Bolivia | Ariola AAS-9045 / Ariola AAS - 90457", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Arabella 102 6907", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | Ariola ARL 370477", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Ariola S-5257", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Peru | Ariola 102.6907", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Ariola A - 102 6907", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Ariola 102.6907", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Mercy are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Germany, Brazil, Netherlands. One of them is Ariola 102 690.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 102 690, 600 312 - 213, 103 155) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 102 690 A-1/80S 020 Made in Germany MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. and 020 102 690 B-1/80S MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. Made in Germany. 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.
