Vinyl pressings
by Kenny Rogers & The First Edition · 1971
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
P 31172 RS6437A-1FSide A, etched, Variant 1
P 31173 RS6437B-1ESide B, etched, Variant 1
P 31172 RS6437A-1H SCSide A, etched, Variant 2
P 31173 RS6437B-1H ATSide A, etched, Variant 2
31172RS6437A-1BSide 1 Variant 1
31173RS6437B-1BSide 2 Variant 1
31172RS6437A-1DSide 1 Variant 2
31173RS6437B-1CSide 2 Variant 2
1S 31172 RS6437A-1G A13Runout A etched, Variant 1
1S 31173 RS6437B-1D A18Runout B etched, Variant 1
S 1 31172 RS6437A-1D B 7Runout A etched, Variant 2
Ƨ 1 31173 RS6437B-1C A 7Runout B etched, Variant 2
31172 1S ⅠSide 1 Runout
31173 1S ⅠSide 2 Runout
31,172Side 1 Label
31,173Side 2 Label
T 31172 RS6437A-1BRunout A variant 1
T 31173 RS6437 B-1BRunout B variant 1
31172 RS6437A-1B D TRunout A variant 2
31173 RS6437B-1B TRunout B variant 2
T I 31172 RS6437A-1BRunout A etched
T I 31173 RS6437B-1ARunout B etched
31,172Matrix A on label
31,173Matrix B on label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Germany | Reprise Records 44 119 / Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Germany | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Italy | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | South Africa | Reprise Records RRC 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records ST-93458 / Reprise Records 6437LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records 6437 / Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6437First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-1460LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-1460LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Reprise Records 6437LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Midi MID 24 012LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Midi MID 24 012LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | New Zealand | Sound Value Records AXIS 148LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | Taedo 444 / Taedo EU 444LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Reprise Records RS 6437LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
45 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Reprise Records RS 6437.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS 6437, 6437, 44 119, RRC 6437) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P 31172 RS6437A-1F and P 31173 RS6437B-1E. 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.
