Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1989
The Miracle was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
QUEEN 15 A--1-1-Q2Runout Side A, variant 1
QUEEN 15 B-1-1-Q 2Runout Side B, variant 1
QUEEN 15 A--1-1-Q2 DRunout Side A, variant 2
QUEEN 15 B-1-1-Q 2 DRunout Side B, variant 2
12 QUEEN 15 A-1-1-1-DSide A, variant 1
12 QUEEN 15 B-2-1-2 DSide B, variant 1
12 QUEEN 15 A-1-1-1- DSide A, variant 2
12 QUEEN 15 B-2-1-1 DSide B, variant 2
D 12QUEEN 15 A-1-1-1-Side A
D 12QUEEN 15 B-2-1-1Side B
QUEEN 15 A--1-1-1-Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
QUEEN 15 B--1-1-1-Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
QUEEN 15 A--1-1- DSide A runout, stamped, variant 2
QUEEN 15 B-1-1-1- DSide B runout, stamped, variant 2
QUEEN 15 A- - 1- 1- 1- DRunout stamped side A [Variant 1]
QUEEN 15 B - 1 - 1- 1- DRunout stamped side B [Variant 1]
QUEEN 15 A- - 1- 1- DRunout stamped side A [Variant 2]
QUEEN 15 B - 1 - 1- 1- DRunout stamped side B [Variant 2]
QUEEN 15 A--1-1-Q2Runout Side A
QUEEN 15 B-1-1-Q 2Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Argentina | EMI 522First year7", 45 RPM, Misprint, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Australasia | Parlophone A 2347First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Parlophone 060-20 3643 6 / EMI 060-20 3643 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Parlophone 006 20 3643 7 / Parlophone 006-20 3643 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | EMI 20 3643 6First year12", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Parlophone QUEENH 15 / Parlophone QUEEN 15First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | UK | Parlophone QUEENH 15First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | UK | Parlophone QUEENH 15 / Parlophone QUEEN 15First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | UK | Parlophone QUEEN 15First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | Parlophone 12 QUEENP 15 / Parlophone 12QUEEN 15First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | UK | Parlophone 12 QUEEN 15 / Parlophone 12QUEEN 15First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | Parlophone QUEEN 15First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
12 vinyl pressings of The Miracle are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, Australasia, Europe, Argentina. One of them is Parlophone QUEEN 15, released November 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use QUEEN 15, 12 QUEENP 15, 12 QUEEN 15, QUEENH 15) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, QUEEN 15 A--1-1-Q2 and QUEEN 15 B-1-1-Q 2. 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.
