Vinyl pressings
by The Monkees · 1970
Monkee's Theme / I'm A Believer was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1970, the album's first year. 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.
Ste-ZHPA-2948 Manufactured in Germany S-IIRunout side A
Ste-ZHPA-2949 Manufactured in Germany S-IIRunout side B
ZHPA-2948Label side A
ZHPA-2949Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | RCA Victor 66-16 025First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Bell Records 2008 2487", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Bell Records BELL 13547", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Bell Records BELL 13547", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Belgium | Arista 4C 006-613787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Netherlands | Arista 102.5497", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | Old Gold OG 91237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Old Gold OG 91237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Old Gold OG 91237", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Arista ARIDJ 4877", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Old Gold OG 91237", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Old Gold OG 91237", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Arista BELL 1354 / Bell Records BELL 13547", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Lebanon | Bell Records 2008 2487", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 91237", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 91237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Monkee's Theme / I'm A Believer are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1970 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in Germany. One of them is RCA Victor 66-16 025.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 66-16 025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Ste-ZHPA-2948 Manufactured in Germany S-II and Ste-ZHPA-2949 Manufactured in Germany S-II. 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.
