Vinyl pressings
by Santo & Johnny · 1964
The Beatles Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1964, 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.
XTV-95279-1A o 1 B PRunout, side A, var. 1
XTV-95280-1B o 1 A PRunout, side B, var. 1
XTV-95279-1A RL 1 P oRunout, side A, var. 2
XTV-95280-1B L 1 o PRunout, side B, var. 2
T XSV-95295 -3 VRunout Side A
XSV-95296 -3Runout Side B
o XTV-95279-1B RL 1 ASide A runout, etched ("o" and "1 A" stamped)
o XTV-95280-1A RL 1 ASide B runout, etched ("o" and "1 A" stamped)
XTV 95279Side A label
XTV 95280Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | Canadian American CALP 1017First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Japan | Union Records UPS-5043First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | New Zealand | Canadian American Calp 1017 / Canadian American CALP 1017First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | USA & Canada | Canadian American CALP1017 / Canadian American CALP 1017First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | USA & Canada | Canadian American SCALP1017First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-095LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Chile | MICROFON LP - 50LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-095LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-095LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-095LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of The Beatles Greatest Hits are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1964 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in USA & Canada, Canada, Japan, New Zealand. One of them is Canadian American CALP1017.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CALP1017, SCALP1017, CALP 1017, UPS-5043) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XTV-95279-1A o 1 B P and XTV-95280-1B o 1 A P. 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.
