Vinyl pressings
by Rufus · 1979
Numbers was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 5 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.
AA-1098-A (3) AZ ❀ D bRunout side A, variant 1
CP AA-1098-B (1)Runout side B, variant 1
AA-1098-A (3) AZ❀ BG S 2Runout side A, variant 2
CP AA-1098-B (1)Runout side B, variant 2
A-5 [Union Jack symbol] AA-1098--A KM ① AZEtched in runout, Side A
A-1 [Union Jack symbol] AA-1098--B KM ① AZEtched in runout, Side B
1S AA-1098-A CS ① AZSide A Runout - Etched
SXT AA-1098-B ③ AZ ❀、SX E12Side B Runout - Etched
AA-1098-ASide A Label
AA-1098-BSide B Label
AA-1098-A SP ① AZ 1-2Side A runout - etched, variant 1
AA-1098-B SP ① 1-2 AZSide B runout - etched, variant 1
AA-1098-A SP ① AZ 1-1Side A runout - etched, variant 2
AA-1098-B SP ① 1-2 AZSide B runout - etched, variant 2
AA-1018-A RB ① AZ S-6462Runout side A etched
(AA-1098-A)Label side A
(AA-1098-B)Label side B
AA-1098-B RB ① AZ S-6463
AA-1098-A MCA - P AZ ✧-P-✧A Side Deadwax [Etched]
AA-1098-A MCA - P AZ -P-B Side Deadwax [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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-1098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MAA-1098First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | Germany | ABC Records 200 013 / ABC Records 200 013-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | ABC Records YX-8158-ABFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | ABC Records YX-8158-ABFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ABC Records AA-1098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ABC Records AA-1098First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc |
| 1979 | US | ABC Records AA-1098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ABC Records AA-1098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ABC Records AA-1098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ABC Records AA-1098First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | ABC Records AA-1098First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | US | ABC Records AA-1098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Numbers are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is ABC Records AA-1098, released January 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AA-1098, ABCL 5263, 9022-1098, MAA-1098) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA-1098-A (3) AZ ❀ D b and CP AA-1098-B (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.
