Vinyl pressings
by The Monkees · 1966
I'm A Believer was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
41 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 15 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.
TZKM--7744--6S A2A side runout, stamped, variant 1
TZKM--4620--4S IB side runout, stamped, variant 1
TZKM--7744--2S A1 RA side runout, stamped, variant 2
TZKM--4620--2S RB side runout, stamped, variant 2
TZKM-7744-9S HRun-out area side A [Stamped]
TZKM-4620-8S HRun-out area side B [Stamped]
TZKM-7744Label side A
TZKM-4620Label side B
TZKM--7744--6S A1A Side Runout
TZKM--4620--4S A 2B Side Runout
TZKM--7744--5S A4A Side Runout, Variant 1
TZKM--4620--5S A0B Side Runout, Variant 1
TZKM--7744 - 1 1 S MRA Side Runout
TZKM--4620 - - 6 S MRB Side Runout
TZKM-7744A Side Label
TZKM-4620B Side Label
TZKM-7744-1CA Side runout
TZKM-4620-1CB Side runout
TZKM-774-2TA Side runout. (Variant 2)
TZKM-4620-2TB Side runout (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Australia | RCA 66-1002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Australia | RCA 66-1002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Australia | RCA 66-1002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Australia | RCA 66-1002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | RCA Victor 66-1002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | RCA Victor 66-1002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | France | RCA Victor 45.951First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | Germany | RCA Victor 66-1002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Germany | RCA Victor 66-1002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | Greece | RCA Victor 47g 1278First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Greece | RCA Victor 47g 1278First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Ireland | RCA Victor ERC 1560First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Japan | Victor SS-1719First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 60413First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 60413First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Rhino Records R2 560125 / Rhino Handmade R2 5601257", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-1037 / RCA Victor 66-10027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Egypt | RCA Victor ES-RCA-79-17", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | El Salvador | RCA 76-23267", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | El Salvador | RCA Victor 76-23267", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Lebanon | RCA Victor MA 40527", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Turkey | RCA Victor 66-10027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Colgems 66-10027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
68 vinyl pressings of I'm A Believer are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1966 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Colgems 66-1002, released November 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 66-1002, RCA-1560, RCA 1560, 47g 1278) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TZKM--7744--6S A2 and TZKM--4620--4S I. 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.
