Vinyl pressings
by Mike Oldfield · 1984
Discovery was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 21 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.
DMM 206 300 A 4/84 S III IIA-Side Runout [hand-inscribed "II", rest stamped]
DMM 206 300 B-1/84S III IIB-Side Runout [hand-inscribed "II", rest stamped]
DMM 206300 A-1/84 SIIIA-Side Runout (Alternative1)
DMM 206300 B-2/84 SIIIB-Side Runout (Alternative1)
V 2308 A-1U-1-1- TOWNHOUSE Tim + ianRunout side A, variant 1
V 2308 B-2U-1-1-X1 TOWNHOUSE TY/ICRunout side B, variant 1
V 2308 A-1U-1-1- TOWNHOUSE Tim + ianRunout side A, variant 2
V 2308 B-1U-1-1- TOWNHOUSE TY/ICRunout side B, variant 2
DMM 206300 A-4/84 S III IIRunout side A, variant 1
DMM 206300 B-4/84 S III IIRunout side B, variant 1
DMM 206300 A-4/84 S III IIRunout side A, variant 2
DMM 206300 B-4/84 S III VRunout side B, variant 2
V 〄Ⓑ V-2308A E111✢Side A runout
V-2308B E111✢Side B runout
V-2308-ASide A label
V-2308-BSide B label
∆ MX 204583-B V2308-1Runout, side A
MX 204584-B V2308-2Runout, side B
MX204583Label, side A
MX204583Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin V 2308 / Virgin V2308First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VL 2294First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VL 2294 / Virgin VL2294First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VL 2294First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 300-620 / Virgin 206 300-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 28 585-8 / Virgin 28585-8LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 300 / Virgin 206 300-620First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 300-620 / Virgin 206 300First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 70259 / Virgin 70 259First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 70259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Virgin 41 249 4LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1984 | Germany | Virgin V 2308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Virgin VG 50064 / Virgin 062-VG 50064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Iceland | Virgin V 2308First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Virgin V 2308 / Virgin DMM 206 300First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Mercury 474 777-3 / Virgin EMI Records 474 777-3LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Iceland | Steinar Hf. V 2308LP | LP |
| ? | Spain | Virgin T 206 300 / Virgin T 206300LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
45 vinyl pressings of Discovery are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1984 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Europe, Japan, Taiwan and more. One of them is Virgin V 2308.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2308, 206 300, VIL-6127, 3075) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DMM 206 300 A 4/84 S III II and DMM 206 300 B-1/84S III II. 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.
