Vinyl pressings
by Kiss · 1993
Alive III was first pressed on vinyl in 1993. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1993, the album's first year, in 2 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.
314 522 645-1AS DMM SP1 RB PrecisionSide 1 / Hand etched
314 522 645-1BS DMM SP1 RB PrecisionSide 2 / Hand etched
314 522 646-1AS DMM SP1 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 3 / Hand etched
314 522 646-1BS DMM SP1 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 4 / Hand etched
314 522 645-1AS DMM SP1 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 1 / Hand etched
314 522 645-1BS DMM SP1 SP1-1 RB PrecisionSide 2 / Hand etched
314 522 646-1AS DMM SP1 RB PrecisionSide 3 / Hand etched
314 522 646-1BS DMM SP1 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 4 / Hand etched
314 522 645-AAS DMM 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 1 / Hand etched, Variant 1
314 522 645-1BS DMM SP1 RB PrecisionSide 2 / Hand etched, Variant 1
314 522 645-1AS DMM 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 3 / Hand etched, Variant 1
314 522 645-1BS DMM 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 4 / Hand etched, Variant 1
314 522 645-1AS DMM SP1 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 1 / Hand etched
314 522 645-1BS DMM SP1 RB PrecisionSide 2 / Hand etched
314 522 646-1AS DMM SP1 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 3 / Hand etched
314 522 646-1BS DMM SP1 1-1 RB PrecisionSide 4 / Hand etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Australia | Mercury PLP 7 31451-48272LP, Picture Disc, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Picture disc | LP, Picture Disc, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Picture disc |
| 1993 | UK | Mercury ME 1451-0 TPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1993 | UK | Mercury ME 1451-0 TPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1993 | UK | Mercury ME 1451-0 TPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1993 | UK | Mercury ME 1451-0 TPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1993 | US | Mercury 314 522 647-1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1993 | US | Mercury 314 522 647-1First yearLP, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1993 | US | Mercury 314 522 647-1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1993 | US | Mercury 314 522 647-1First yearLP, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1993 | Colombia | Mercury 514 7771First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1994 | Brazil | Mercury 514 827-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Mercury B0020470-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | Europe | Mercury 06025 377 882-5 (5)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | Europe | Mercury 06025 378 506-1 (7) / Universal 06025 378 506-1 (7)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Mercury B0037354 / UMe B0037354LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Mercury B0037355-01 / UMe B0037355-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
16 vinyl pressings of Alive III are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1993 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1993, in US, Colombia. One of them is Mercury 314 522 647-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 314 522 647-1, 514 7771) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 314 522 645-1AS DMM SP1 RB Precision and 314 522 645-1BS DMM SP1 RB Precision. 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.
