Vinyl pressings
by Van Morrison · 1980
Common One was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
BSK-1-3462-JW2 #3 0Side A, variant 1
BSK-2-3462 JW1 #2 0Side B, variant 1 & 2
BSK-1-3462-JW2 #5 0Side A, variant 2
BSK-1-3462-JW2 0Side A, variant 3
BSK-1-3462-WW3 #3 ─◁Side A runout, variant 1
BSK-1-3462-WW2 #2 ─◁Side B runout, variant 1
BSK-1-3462-WW3 #5 .─◁Side A runout, variant 2
BSK-2-3462-WW2 ̶#̶3̶ 1-2 #3 .─◁Side B runout, variant 2
BSK-1-3462 LW1 **Etched side A, except ** stamped, variant 1
BSK-2-3462 LW2(crossed out)4 **Etched side B, except ** stamped, variant 1
BSK-1-3462 LW1 • ⥛ ✲ ✲Etched side A, except ⥛ ✲ ✲ stamped, variant 2
BSK-2-3462 LW2̶ 4 • ⥛ ✲ ✲Etched side B, except ⥛ ✲ ✲ stamped, variant 2
△24820 MR (2) BSK-1-3462 S1 + SLM + △445 B-15166Side A, etched except "SLM" stamped
△24820X BSK-2-3462 S2 + SLM + △445-X MRSide B, etched except "SLM" stamped
6302021 1// ▽ E420 1 1 4Runout Side 1 stamped, variant 1
6302021 2// ▽ E420 1 1 5Runout Side 2 stamped, variant 1
6302021 1// Y1▽ E420 1 11 2Runout Side 1 stamped, variant 2
6302021 2// Y1▽ E420 1 1 3Runout Side 2 stamped, variant 2
MX196735 6302 021-1 𝄞Runout Side A
MX196736 6302 021-2 𝄞Runout Side B
6302 021 1Side A label
6302 021 2Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Austria | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3462First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album, Mispress | LP, Album, Mispress |
| 1980 | Greece | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Ireland | Mercury 6302021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7683First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7683First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Mercury 6302 021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Warner Bros. Records R1 3462LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Mercury 6302 021 / Polygram 6302 021LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| ? | Italy | Mercury 6302 021LP, Album | LP, Album |
36 vinyl pressings of Common One are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1980 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3462.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3462, 6302 021, XBS 3462, 6302021) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3462-JW2 #3 0 and BSK-2-3462 JW1 #2 0. 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.
