Vinyl pressings
by Mary Wells · 1964
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1964, 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.
R4RM-3864-1 L A/11 MT-616A TSide A runout, stamped/etched
R4RM-3865-1 L MT-616 S-2 IIII Ω T 0Side B runout, stamped/etched
H 1296Side A label
R4RM 3864Side A label
R4RM-3864-1 ASide 1, stamped
R4RM-3865-1Side 2, stamped
R4RM-3864-1 D
R4RM-3865-1 E
R4RM-3864-1 A3 IA Side (Etched & Stamped)
R4KM-3865-1 IB Side (Etched & Stamped)
H-1297A Side Label
H-1296B Side Label
R4RM-3864-1 A1 IRunout, Stamped, Side A
R4RM-3865-1 A1 IRunout, Stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | Tamla M-616First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1964 | Canada | Motown S 616 / Motown S-616First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1964 | New Zealand | Stateside MSL 6010 / Stateside MSL.6010First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Motown 616 / Motown MT-616First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Motown 616 / Motown MT 616First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Motown 616 / Motown MT-616First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Motown M 616First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Motown M-616First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Motown MT 616First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Motown M 616First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1964 | US | Motown M 616First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Motown M-616 / Motown 616LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Motown MS 616LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Motown M 616LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Motown S 616LP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 054-91054LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | UK | Starline SRS 5040 / Starline 1E 048 ◦ 91784LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | US | Motown 2826MLLP, Reissue, Compilation | LP, Reissue, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Motown M7-616R112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Australia & New Zealand | Motown M5-233V1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Tamla Motown M-616 / Tamla Motown Motown 616LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Motown M-616LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Motown M5-233V1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown M6-616-S1 / Motown S-616LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown M 616V1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown M5-233V1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown MOT-2826LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown M5-233V1LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
33 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1964 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Motown M 616, released April 15, 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 616, M-616, MT 616, 616) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R4RM-3864-1 L A/11 MT-616A T and R4RM-3865-1 L MT-616 S-2 IIII Ω T 0. 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.
My Guy
1964 · 52 pressings
Sings My Guy
1964 · 22 pressings
What's Easy For Two Is So Hard For One / You Lost The Sweetest Boy
1963 · 19 pressings
Dear Lover / Can't You See (You're Losing Me)
1965 · 17 pressings
You Beat Me To The Punch / Old Love (Let's Try It Again)
1962 · 15 pressings
Ain't It The Truth / Stop Takin' Me For Granted
1965 · 14 pressings
