Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1959
Symphony No. 5 / Coriolan Overture was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1959, 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.
K2 RY3244-1S C1 IRunout side A - machine stamped - variant 1
K2 RY3245-1S I C2Runout side B - machine stamped - variant 1
K2 RY3244-5S I A1Runout side A - machine stamped - variant 2
K2 RY3245-4S I B1Runout side B - machine stamped - variant 2
K2 RP-2342-1SRunout side A - machine stamped
K2 RP-3243-6SRunout side B - machine stamped
K2 RP3242-5s A1Runout side A - machine stamped, variant 1
K2 RP3243-3s B2 RRunout side B - machine stamped, variant 1
K2 RY3244-4SRunout side A - machine stamped - variant 1
K2 RY3245-5SRunout side B - machine stamped - variant 1
(K2RY-3244)Matrix on label - side A
(K2RY-3245)Matrix on label - side B
K2 RY3244-3S A6 4544S IRunout side A - machine stamped
K2 RY3245-4S E3 8577SRunout side B - machine stamped
K2RY-3244-10S A2Runout side A - machine stamped
K2RY-3245-10S B1Runout side B - machine stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2343 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2343First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | New Zealand | RCA Victor Red Seal RSLS 3577 / RCA Victor Red Seal RSLS 3577First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2343 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2343First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2343 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2343First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2343 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2343First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | New Zealand | RCA Victor Red Seal RSLS 3577 / RCA Victor Red Seal RSLS 3577First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2343LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | RCA Victrola VICS 1161 / RCA Victrola VICS. 1161LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2343 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2343LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | UK | Camden Classics Victrola CCV 5023 / RCA CCV 5023LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2343 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2343LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Victrola VICS-1161LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | RCA Victrola KVS 136LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Victor SLS-101LP, 10", Stereo | LP, 10", Stereo |
| ? | UK | RCA Victrola VICS 1161LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2343 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2343LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2343 / RCA Red Seal LSC-2343LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 5 / Coriolan Overture are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1959 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2343, released August 21, 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSC-2343, LM-2343, RSLS 3577) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K2 RY3244-1S C1 I and K2 RY3245-1S I C2. 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.
