Vinyl pressings
by Spandau Ballet · 1983
Gold was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 14 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.
SPAN 2 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 11 31 timtom - cbsRunout, A-side, stamped and etched. Var. 1
SPAN 2 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 17 1 TY - cbsRunout, B-side, stamped and etched. Var. 1
SPAN 2 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 11 31Runout, A-side, stamped. Var. 1
timtom - cbsRunout, A-side, etched. Var. 1
SPAN 2 A // 2 ∇ 420 C 11 31Runout, A-side, stamped
timtom - cbsRunout, A-side, etched
SPAN 2 B // 1 ∇ 420 C 17 1Runout, B-side, stamped
TY - cbsRunout, B-side, etched
SPAN 2 A1 DAMONT timtom-cbsSide A runout, variant 1
SPAN 2 B1 DAMONT TY-cbsSide B runout, variant 1
SPAN 2 A1 DAMONT A timtom-cbsSide A runout, variant 2
SPAN 2 B1 1 DAMONT TY-cbsSide B runout, variant 2
SPAN 2 A1 3 DAMONT timtom - cbsSide A
SPAN 2 B1 1 DAMONT TY - cbsSide B
SPANX 2 A // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 5 timtom-cbsRunout A stamped / etched variant 1
SPANX 2 B // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 9 TY-cbsRunout B stamped / etched variant 1
SPANX 2 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 1 timtom-cbsRunout A stamped / etched variant 2
SPANX 2 B // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 9 TY-cbsRunout B stamped / etched variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Chrysalis X 12033First year12", Limited Edition, 45 RPM, Single · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", Limited Edition, 45 RPM, Single · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Australia | Chrysalis X 12033First year12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | Australia | Chrysalis X 12033 / Reformation SPANX 2First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CS-42740First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis 42743 / Chrysalis CHS 42743First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 42743First year7" · Colored vinyl | 7" · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 105 682 / Chrysalis 105 682-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 600 972First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 105 682 / Chrysalis 105 682-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Chrysalis 105 682First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Chrysalis 105 682 / Chrysalis 105 682-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Chrysalis 600 972First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Reformation SPAN 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Chrysalis PRP-8245First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 9206First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Chrysalis X 1203312", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| ? | Spain | Chrysalis CHS27257", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Chrysalis 4V9 4274012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
53 vinyl pressings of Gold are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is Reformation SPAN 2, released August 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPAN 2, SPANX 2, SPANP 2, VS4 42743) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPAN 2 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 11 31 timtom - cbs and SPAN 2 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 17 1 TY - cbs. 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.
