Vinyl records have been around for over a century and continue to be a favorite medium for music enthusiasts. While most people collect vinyl records for the love of the music, some rare and valuable records have fetched high prices in recent years. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable vinyl records. Some might surprise you!
- The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album)
Released in 1968, The Beatles’ self-titled album, commonly known as the “White Album,” is the second most valuable vinyl record (only behind a special release from The Wu-Tang Clan, which you can read about here). This album featured the band’s most eclectic mix of songs, ranging from folk to rock to blues. The original pressing of the album featured a white cover with a serial number stamped on it. Only 3,000 copies of this album were pressed with a low serial number, making them extremely valuable. In 2015, a copy of this album with the serial number “0000001” sold for $790,000 at an auction.
- Elvis Presley – That’s All Right
Elvis Presley’s first single, “That’s All Right,” was released in 1954. Only 209 copies of the original record were pressed, making it extremely valuable. In 2015, a copy of this record sold for $300,000 at an auction. It’s often cited that Presley’s vision of the song, originally recorded by Arthur Crudup, is a candidate for the title of first rock and roll album.
- The Rolling Stones – Street Fighting Man
The Rolling Stones’ single “Street Fighting Man” was released in 1968 and the original release of the record featured a controversial cover art that was quickly withdrawn by the record label. Only a few copies of the record with the original cover art were released, making it extremely valuable. A copy of this record sold for $17,000 at an auction in 2020.
- Pink Floyd – The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
Pink Floyd’s debut album, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn,” was released in 1967 and is one of the most valuable vinyl records. The original pressing of the album featured a psychedelic cover art by Syd Barrett, the band’s founding member. Only a few copies of the album with the original cover art were released, making it extremely valuable. A copy of this album sold for $32,500 in 2018 at an auction.
- Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s second album, “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” was released in 1963. The first batch of pressed albums featured four songs that were later removed and replaced with other tracks. Only a few copies of the album with the original tracklist were released, making it extremely valuable. Want a copy for yourself? In 2019, a copy of this album purchased at the low cost of $35,000 at auction.
- The Beatles – Please Please Me
The Beatles’ debut album, “Please Please Me,” was released in 1963. The original release of the album featured a black and gold Parlophone label with the misspelled song title “Love Me Do.” Only a few copies of the album with the misspelled label were released, making it extremely valuable. In fact, a copy of this album sold for $34,000 at an auction.
- Sex Pistols – God Save the Queen
Sex Pistols’ single “God Save the Queen” was released in 1977. The first 25,000 copies of the record featured a controversial cover art of a picture sleeve featuring a toilet, that was quickly withdrawn. This is one of the most sought out punk rock records and a mint copy is quoted to be around $15,000.
