Vinyl pressings
by T. Rex · 1973
20th Century Boy was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 17 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.
YMARC 4 A-2 KT 1Runout side A, variant 1
YMARC 4 B-1 KT ∴ 5Runout side B, variant 1
YMARK 4--A-1 AG KT ∴ 1Runout side A, variant 2
YMARK 4--B-1 GA KT ∴ 4Runout side B, variant 2
YMARC 4 A-2 KT 1Stamped runout, side A
YMARC 4 B-1 KT ∴ 5Stamped runout, side B
YMARC 4ALabel, side A
YMARC 4BLabel, side B
YMARC 4 · A - 1 G KTRun-out side A, stamped
YMARC 4 · B - 1 CRun-out side B, stamped
YMARC 4ALabel side A
YMARC 4BLabel side B
SMC 88664 A 2473 ZPSide A runout
SMC 88664 B 2473 ZPSide B runout
ymarc 4AA Side (On Label)
ymarc 4BB Side (On Label)
C 12568 A-5Runout A, stamped variant 1
C 12568 B-7Runout B, stamped variant 1
C 12568 A-5Runout A, stamped variant 2
C 12568 B-2Runout B, stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Austria | Ariola 12 568 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Belgium | T. Rex 4 C 006-94257First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Denmark | T. Rex Marc 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | T. Rex REX 1318 / CBS REX 1318First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Ariola 12 568 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Ariola 12 568 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Ireland | T. Rex MARC 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Italy | T. REX 3 C006 - 94257 / T. REX 3C 006 94257First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | T. Rex EOR-10320 / Odeon EOR-10320First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Odeon EOR-10320First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1973 | Japan | T. Rex EOR-10320 / Odeon EOR-10320First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | T. Rex MARC.4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Singapore & Malaysia | EMI YMARC 4AFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | South Africa | T. Rex MARC 4JFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Spain | Ariola 12568·A / Ariola 12.568-AFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | UK | Not On Label (T. Rex) 24 CENT / Not On Label (Hoxton Whores) 24 CENT12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | Demon Records DEMSING0137", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Israel | CBS marc 47", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
27 vinyl pressings of 20th Century Boy are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1973 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Yugoslavia, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is T. Rex MARC 4, released March 2, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MARC 4, SMC-88664, T.REX.10180, 12 568 AT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YMARC 4 A-2 KT 1 and YMARC 4 B-1 KT ∴ 5. 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.
