Vinyl pressings
by The Beatles · 1979
20 Golden Hits (Original Recordings) 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.
18 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
F 666 618 A-1 I- 9 2 VCRun-out Side A
F 666 618 B-1 I I9 I VCRun-out Side B
F 666.618-ACentre Label Side A
F 666-618-BCentre Label Side B
YXLD-YAX 1230
YXLD-YAX 1231
YXLD-YAX-1230Run-out Side A
YXLD-YAX-1231Run-out Side B
COLOMBIA 11851 A 18 - VIII - 81Centre Label Side A
COLOMBIA 11851 B 11 - XII - 81Centre Label Side B
07030 A 21 M6 327952 1Side 1 run-out, stamped
07030 B 22 M6 328186 1Side 2 run-out, stamped
07030 A 21 M6 327952 1Runout side A
07030 B 22 M6 328186 1Runout side B
2C 070-07.030Label side A
2C 070-07.030Label side A
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 | Argentina | EMI 56172First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Argentina | EMI 9172 / ATC 9172 (24-4)First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Colombia | EMI 11851First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | France | Odeon 2C 070 07.030First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | France | Odeon 2C070-07030First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | France | Odeon 07030First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1979 | Germany | Odeon ADEG 61 / Odeon ADE H 40First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Arcade ADEG 61 / Apple Records F 666.618First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1979 | Germany | Arcade ADEG 61 / Odeon F 666.618First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Germany | Trent ADE H 40 / Trent ADEG 61First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Germany | Arcade ADEG 61 / Odeon F 666.618First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1979 | Germany | Arcade ADEG 61 / Odeon ADEG 61First yearLP, Compilation, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | not on label 190 001 3First yearLP, Compilation, White Label, Stereo | LP, Compilation, White Label, Stereo |
| 1979 | Kenya | Parlophone PCSJ (L) 205First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Spain | Odeon 10C 068-007.030 / Odeon 10C 068-007 030First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Finland | Parlophone 7C 070-07030 / EMI 7C 070-07030LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Parlophone 3C064-07030LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | EMI 3C 064 - 07030 / Parlophone 3C 064 - 07030LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Parlophone 7C 070-07030LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Venezuela | EMI 103.04436LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Venezuela | EMI 4436LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1982 | Venezuela | EMI 4436LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1984 | Venezuela | EMI 4436LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | Peru | EMI BE.02.0015LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Parlophone PCSJ (L) 205 / EMI PCSJ (L) 205LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
28 vinyl pressings of 20 Golden Hits (Original Recordings) are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1979 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Netherlands, Argentina, Colombia, France and more. One of them is Odeon F 666.618, released May 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F 666.618, 56172, 9172, 11851) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F 666 618 A-1 I- 9 2 VC and F 666 618 B-1 I I9 I VC. 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.
