Vinyl pressings
by The Mission · 1986
Gods Own Medicine was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
MERH-I02-A1 "THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR... TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout side A, variant 1
MERH-I02-B2 ... AND WE HAD FUN." MT. TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout side B, variant 1
MERH-102-A2 "THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR... MT. TOWNHOUSE KEV 1Runout side A, variant 2
MERH-102-B1 ... AND WE HAD FUN." MT. TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout side B, variant 2
MERH-I02-AI "THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR... TOWNHOUSE KEVRunouts Side A, variant 1
MERH-I02-B2 ... AND WE HAD FUN." MT. TOWNHOUSE KEVRunouts Side B, variant 1
MERH-102-A1 "THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR... MT TOWNHOUSE KEVSide A, variant 2
MERH-102-B1 ...AND WE HAD FUN" TOWNHOUSE KEVSide B, variant 2
MERH-102-A2 "THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR... TOWNHOUSE KEVSide A runout
MERH-102-B2 ... AND WE HAD FUN." MT. TOWNHOUSE KEV.Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 830 603-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Vertigo 830 603-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 603-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 603-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 603-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 603-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Mercury 830 603-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | Mercury LPR 19154 / Mercury 830 603 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Philippines | Mercury 830 603-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MERH 102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MERH 102First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1986 | Israel | Mercury 830 603-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MERH 102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury 830 603-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Argentina | Mercury 830 603-1 / Mercury 29027LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Mercury 574 306-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
31 vinyl pressings of Gods Own Medicine are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1986 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Israel, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury MERH 102, released November 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERH 102, 830 603-1, LPR 19154) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERH-I02-A1 "THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR... TOWNHOUSE KEV and MERH-I02-B2 ... AND WE HAD FUN." MT. TOWNHOUSE KEV. 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.
