Vinyl pressings
by Rachel Sweet · 1980
Fool's Gold was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
BUY-67-A-3 < 4 STEVESRunout Groove Side A Etched: Variant 1
BUY-67-B1 < 3 STEVERunout Groove Side B Etched: Variant 1
BUY-67-A4 < STEVESRunout Groove Side A Etched: Variant 2
BUY-67-B1 < 3 STEVERunout Groove Side B Etched: Variant 2
BUY-67-A2 2 SA. ΛRunout side A, etched/stamped
BUY-67-B2 STEVE 3 ΛRunout side B, etched/stamped
BUY 67-ALabel, side A
BUY 67-BLabel, side B
BUY-67-B1 < STEVERunout Groove Side A: Variant 1
BUY-67-A-3 < 7 STEVESRunout Groove Side B: Variant 1
BUY-67-B2Runout Groove Side A: Variant 2
BUY-67-A4Runout Groove Side B: Variant 2
BUY-67-A1 < SA. CRunout A, etched: Version 1
BUY-67-B1 < STEVERunout B, etched: Version 1
BUY-67-A4Runout Groove Side A: Version 2
BUY-67-B2Runout Groove Side B: Version 2
640.187-A/1ARunout side A (etched)
640.187-B/1ARunout side B (etched)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Belgium | Stiff Records 640 187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Stiff Records 640.187First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-1502First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-1502First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | Stiff Records STF 12First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1929First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1929First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 67First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 67First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 67First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 67First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Fool's Gold are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Belgium, France, Japan and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 67, released February 15, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 67, 640 187, 640.187, VIPX-1502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY-67-A-3 < 4 STEVES and BUY-67-B1 < 3 STEVE. 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.
