Vinyl pressings
by Metallica · 1988
Harvester Of Sorrow was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 4 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.
METAL 212 A-1U-1-1Runout variant 1 stamped side A
METAL 212 B-1U-1-1Runout variant 1 stamped side B
METAL 212 A-1U-1-1Runout variant 2 stamped side A
METAL 212 B-2U-1-1Runout variant 2 stamped side B
METDJ 2A-1U-1-Q2Both sides
METAL 212 A - 1U-1-ISide A
METAL 212 B - 1U-1-ISide B
METAL 212 A - 1U-1-ISide A Stamped
METAL 212 B - 1U-1-ISide B Stamped
870 614 1 1M 1 ℗ 1988 670 04 11 2A-side runout, machine-stamped, variant 1
870 614 1 2M 1 ℗ 1988 670 04 11 6B-side runout, machine-stamped, variant 1
870 614 1 1M 1 ℗ 1988 670 04 11 14A-side runout, machine-stamped, variant 2
870 614 1 2M 1 ℗ 1988 670 04 11 14B-side runout, machine-stamped, variant 2
870 614 - 1ASide A
870 614 - 1BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Europe | Vertigo METAL 212 / Vertigo 870 614-1First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1988 | Europe | Vertigo METAL 212 / Vertigo 870 614-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Spain | Vertigo 870 614-1First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1988 | UK | Vertigo METDJ 2First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Vertigo METDJ 212First year12", Promo, 45 RPM, Numbered · Promo, Numbered | 12", Promo, 45 RPM, Numbered · Promo, Numbered |
| 1988 | UK | Vertigo METDJ 212First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | Vertigo 870 614-1 / Vertigo METAL 212First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1988 | UK | Vertigo METAL 212 / Vertigo 870 614-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1988 | Australasia | Vertigo 870 614-1First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1988 | South Korea | Vertigo 484-3; 484-412", EP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", EP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | UK | Vertigo METAL 212 / Vertigo 870 614-112", 45 RPM, EP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Vertigo METDJ 21212", Promo, 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| ? | US | Vertigo 874062-112", Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | 12", Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
13 vinyl pressings of Harvester Of Sorrow are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1988 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Europe, Australasia, Spain. One of them is Vertigo METAL 212, released August 29, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use METAL 212, METDJ 2, METDJ 212, 870 614-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, METAL 212 A-1U-1-1 and METAL 212 B-1U-1-1. 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.
