Vinyl pressings
by The Irish Rovers · 1974
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
A-MCA-566A-Z MCA4066 R 1 A 5NBRunout side one records 1, Stamped
MCA 4066 R 1 S 4 MCA -567 - B5NBRunout side four records 1, stamped
B MCA-568-C #2 X SNB MCA-4066 RZ S2Runout side two records 2, stamped
MCA 2-4066 R2 S3 MCA 569 #15NBRunout side three records 2, stamped
A-MCA-566A-2 SNBRunout side 1 records 1, Stamped
B MCA-568-C #2 X SNBRunout side 2 records 2, stamped
C MCA 569- P NBRunout side 3 records 2, stamped
D MCA 567 NBRunout side 4 records 1, stamped
MCA 2-4066-R-1-A A-MCA-566 A-2 # 2 SnBSide A etched
MCA 2-4066 Ꝛ2 S2A̶ ̶ B-MCA-568-C # ₳2 X SNBSide B etched, 3rd 2 scratched over an A
MCA 2-4066 R2 S ᴃ̶3 MCA 569 #1 SnBSide C etched, 3 scratched over a B
MCA 4066 R1SB M̶C̶A̶ ̶5̶6̶7̶D̶ MCA-567-B SnBSide D etched
A-MCA-566A-2 #2 SNB ◎—∈—◎Side A runout - Variant 1
B-MCA-568-C SNB ◎—∈—◎Side B runout - Variant 1
MCA-569 #1 SNB ◎—∈—◎Side C runout - Variant 1
M̶C̶A̶-̶5̶6̶9̶-̶D̶ MCA-567-B SNB ◎—∈—◎Side D runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 7771First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2 4066First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2 4066First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2 4066 / MCA Records MCA2-4066First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2 4066First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | New Zealand | MCA Records IR20First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | MCA Records IR20First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2 4066 / MCA Records MCA2-4066LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA 2-4066LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA 2-4066LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2 4066LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 2-4066LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | MCA Records IR 20LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA 2-4066LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA 2-4066LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1974 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in Canada, US, Australia, New Zealand. One of them is MCA Records MCA2 4066.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA2 4066, IR20, MAPS 7771) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-MCA-566A-Z MCA4066 R 1 A 5NB and MCA 4066 R 1 S 4 MCA -567 - B5NB. 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.
