Vinyl pressings
by The Shadows · 1973
Golden Record was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 3 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.
M6 291489 05278 A 21Runout side A
M6 291490 05278 B 21Runout side B
C 064 - 05278 ALabel side A
C 064 - 05278 BLabel side B
M6 291489 05278 A 21Runout side A (machine-stamped)
M6 291490 05278 B 21Runout side B (machine-stamped)
M6 291489 05278 A 21Runout side A (machine-stamped)
M6 291490 05278 B 21Runout side B (machine-stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Belgium | Columbia 4 C 066-05278 / EMI Belgium 4 C 066-05278First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Belgium | Columbia 4 C 066-05278 / EMI Belgium 4 C 066-05278First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | France | Columbia 2 C 064-05278 / Columbia 2 C 064-05.278First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Greece | Columbia SCXG 13010LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Greece | Columbia SCXG 13010First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | France | Columbia 2C 066-05278 / Columbia 2C 066-05.278LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1975 | France | Columbia 2 C 066-05278LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | France | Columbia 2C 066-05278 / Columbia 2C 066-05.278LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 070-05.278LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 070-05.278LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 066-05278LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 066-05278LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Columbia 2 C 066-05278 / EMI 2C 066 05278LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Columbia 2C 066-05278 / Columbia 2C 066-05.278LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Columbia 2C 066-05278 / Columbia 2C 066-05.278LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Columbia SCXG 13010 / Columbia C 064 - 05.278LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Greece | EMI SCXG 13010LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Greece | Columbia SCXG 13010LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
18 vinyl pressings of Golden Record are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1973 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in France, Belgium, Greece. One of them is Columbia 2 C 064-05278.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2 C 064-05278, 4 C 066-05278, SCXG 13010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M6 291489 05278 A 21 and M6 291490 05278 B 21. 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.
