Vinyl pressings
by The Rolling Stones · 1977
30 Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 17 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.
GKAY 31664 3S T2 1B 18 △ PRunout side A, variant 1
GKAY 31665 2S T2 1B 12 △ PRunout side B, variant 1
GKAY 31666 2S T2 1B 15 △ PRunout side C, variant 1
GKAY 31667 2S T2 1A 49 △ PRunout side D, variant 1
GKAY 31664 3S T2- 1B 28 4Runout side A
GKAY 31665 2S T2- 1A 41 △ P 2Runout side B
GKAY 31666 1S T2- 1A 60 △ P 5Runout side C
GKAY 31667 1S T2- 1A 49 △ P 5Runout side D
GKAY 31664 3S T2 1B 18 △ PRunout area side A - variant 1
GKAY 31665 2S T2 1B 12 △ PRunout area side B - variant 1
GKAY 31666 2S T2 1B 15 △ PRunout area side C - variant 1
GKAY 31667 2S T2 1A 49 △ PRunout area side D - variant 1
DVL2-0268-A-1 I Λ 2 QRunout A version 1
DVL2-0268-B-1 I Λ 2 IRunout B version 1
DVL2-0268C-1 I Λ 1 DRunout C version 1
DVL2-0268D-2 I Λ 1 ARunout D version 1
3042 A A1D JNSide A Runout
DXL2 3042-B C1D DBSide B Runout
3042C B1C JNSide C Runout
3042 D A1C JNSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | ABKCO DXL2-3042First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Argentina | ABKCO DXL2-3042First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Australia | ABKCO DXL2-3042First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Canada | ABKCO TA-1077First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Canada | ABKCO TA-1077First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Canada | ABKCO TA-1077First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Chile | ABKCO DXL2-3042First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Colombia | ABKCO 05(3931)01493/94First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | Ecuador | ABKCO NL 03042-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Ecuador | RCA Victor ECS 800393/800394First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Greece | ABKCO RCLP 20102-103First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Greece | ABKCO RCLP 20102-103LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Israel | ABKCO DXL2-3042 / Eastronics DXL2-3042First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Italy | ABKCO NL 03042(2) / ABKCO NL 03042-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | ABKCO NL 03042(2) / ABKCO NL 03042-1First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | South Korea | RCA JRPL-3221LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
32 vinyl pressings of 30 Greatest Hits are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1977 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Italy, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is ABKCO NL 03042(2).
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NL 03042(2), DVL2-0268, DXL2-3042, TA-1077) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GKAY 31664 3S T2 1B 18 △ P and GKAY 31665 2S T2 1B 12 △ P. 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.
