Vinyl records have made a remarkable comeback in recent years, defying the digital music revolution. In 2022, vinyl album sales in the United States hit 43.46 million units, marking the 17th consecutive year of growth. This resurgence has reignited interest in rare and valuable records, turning vinyl collecting into a passionate pursuit.
These are 15 of the rarest vinyl records that top every serious collector’s wishlist, delving into their history, significance, and eye-watering market values.
1. The Beatles – “Yesterday and Today” (1966)
The infamous “Butcher Cover” version of “Yesterday and Today” is a holy grail for Beatles collectors. Initially released with a controversial cover featuring the band dressed in butcher smocks surrounded by raw meat and dismembered doll parts, it was quickly recalled and replaced.
Only a handful of these original covers survived, making them incredibly valuable. Mint condition copies of the “Butcher Cover” have sold for astronomical sums, with one fetching $125,000 at auction.
The rarity of this album stems not just from its limited availability, but also from its place in Beatles lore as a symbol of the band’s rebellious spirit and the changing cultural landscape of the 1960s.
2. The Quarrymen – “That’ll Be the Day” / “In Spite of All the Danger” (1958)
Before they were The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison recorded a single acetate as The Quarrymen. This record, featuring “That’ll Be the Day” and “In Spite of All the Danger,” is considered the most coveted of Beatles collectibles.
Only one original copy was ever made, currently owned by Paul McCartney, making it impossible to put a price on this unique piece of music history.
The significance of this record lies in its capture of the embryonic stage of the world’s most influential band. While the original is priceless, McCartney had 50 copies pressed in 1981, which are themselves extremely valuable.
These reproductions have sold for upwards of $13,000, demonstrating the immense interest in even secondhand copies of this earliest Beatles-related recording.
3. Sex Pistols – “God Save the Queen” (1977)
The Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” is not just a punk anthem; it’s also one of the rarest records in existence. A&M Records signed the band and pressed 25,000 copies of the single, but the deal fell through after just six days. Most copies were destroyed, with only a handful surviving.
These surviving copies are among the most valuable punk records in existence. In 2018, one of these rare A&M pressings sold for $19,500. The record’s scarcity, combined with its cultural significance as a symbol of punk rebellion, makes it a must-have for collectors of punk and rock memorabilia.
4. The Velvet Underground & Nico – “The Velvet Underground & Nico” (1967)
The debut album by The Velvet Underground & Nico, with its iconic Andy Warhol-designed banana cover, is a cornerstone of rock history.
First pressings with the peelable banana sticker intact are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors. The album’s initial commercial failure ironically contributed to its current rarity and value.
Original copies in mint condition can fetch tens of thousands of dollars. In 2017, a sealed mono copy sold for $25,200. The album’s influence on rock music, coupled with its artistic collaboration with Warhol, makes it a prized possession for both music and art collectors alike.
5. Bob Dylan – “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” (1963)
The first pressing of “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” is notable for its withdrawn tracks. Four songs on the original pressing were replaced before wide release, making copies with the original tracklist extremely rare.
These early pressings are identifiable by their unique matrix numbers and the presence of the withdrawn songs. Copies with the original tracklist have sold for over $35,000.
The album’s historical significance in Dylan’s career and the folk revival movement, combined with the mystique of the withdrawn tracks, make it a highly desirable item for collectors of folk and rock music.
6. Prince – “The Black Album” (1987)
Prince’s “The Black Album” was withdrawn from release just a week before its scheduled debut, allegedly because Prince had a spiritual epiphany and deemed the album “evil.” Most copies were destroyed, but a few escaped destruction, making it one of the most sought-after albums in pop music history.
In 2018, a sealed copy of “The Black Album” sold for $27,500. The record’s near-mythical status, combined with Prince’s legendary career and the circumstances surrounding its withdrawal, make it a crown jewel for any serious vinyl collector.
7. The Beatles – “Please Please Me” (1963)
The Beatles’ debut album, “Please Please Me,” is highly sought after in its original pressing. The first pressing, identifiable by the black and gold Parlophone label, is extremely rare.
These early copies capture the raw energy of the band at the start of their meteoric rise to fame. Mint-condition copies of the first pressing have sold for over $9,000.
The album’s historical significance as the launchpad for the most influential band in pop music history makes it a must-have for Beatles collectors and music historians alike.
8. Röyksopp – “Melody A.M.” (2001)
Röyksopp’s debut album “Melody A.M.” is a modern rarity. The Norwegian electronic duo released 100 hand-spray painted copies, each with unique artwork by Banksy before he became a household name. These limited edition copies are now among the most valuable records of the 21st century. In 2017, one of these Banksy-designed copies sold for $11,000.
The combination of Röyksopp’s influential electronic music and Banksy’s now-iconic artwork makes this album a unique intersection of music and visual art collectibles.
9. Frank Wilson – “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)” (1965)
Frank Wilson’s Northern soul classic “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)” is one of the rarest and most valuable 7-inch singles in existence. Only a handful of copies are known to exist, as most were destroyed when Wilson decided to focus on producing rather than performing.
In 2009, a copy of this single sold for $37,000. Its rarity, combined with its status as a Northern soul classic, makes it a holy grail for soul music collectors and DJs specializing in rare groove.
10. Aphex Twin – “Caustic Window” (1994)
Aphex Twin’s unreleased album “Caustic Window” exists only as a handful of test pressings. The album was shelved before release, making these test pressings incredibly rare.
In 2014, a Kickstarter campaign raised funds to purchase and digitize one of these test pressings. The test pressing was subsequently sold on eBay for $46,300.
The album’s rarity, combined with Aphex Twin’s cult status in electronic music, makes it a unique collector’s item that bridges the gap between physical and digital music collecting.
11. Jean Michel Jarre – “Music for Supermarkets” (1983)
Jean Michel Jarre’s “Music for Supermarkets” is the epitome of exclusivity in vinyl collecting. Only one copy of this album was ever pressed, making it arguably the rarest record in existence.
After its single radio play, Jarre destroyed the master tapes and printing plates, ensuring its uniqueness. The sole copy was auctioned at Hôtel Drouot in Paris for 69,000 francs (approximately $14,000 at the time). This album’s extreme rarity and the artistic statement behind its limited release have made it a legendary item in the world of music collecting.
While bootleg copies exist, the original stands as a unique piece of music history.
12. David Bowie – “The Prettiest Star” (1970)
David Bowie’s “The Prettiest Star” single, featuring Marc Bolan on guitar, is a rare gem in Bowie’s discography. The original pressing was a commercial failure, selling only a few hundred copies before being deleted. This initial lack of success has ironically made it one of Bowie’s most collectible records.
Mint-condition copies of this single have sold for over $3,900. The collaboration between two glam rock icons, combined with its rarity, makes this single a highly sought-after item for collectors of 1970s rock and Bowie enthusiasts.
13. Wu-Tang Clan – “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” (2015)
In a unique experiment in music distribution, Wu-Tang Clan produced only one copy of “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin.” This single-copy album was sold at auction with the stipulation that it couldn’t be commercially released for 88 years.
The album was purchased by controversial pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli for $2 million.
While not technically available to collectors, this album represents the ultimate in rarity and exclusivity in the music world. Its unique release strategy and astronomical price tag have made it a talking point in discussions about music ownership and value in the digital age.
14. Led Zeppelin – “Led Zeppelin” (1969)
The first pressing of Led Zeppelin’s debut album with turquoise lettering on the Atlantic label is highly prized by collectors. These early pressings capture the raw energy of the band at the start of their career and are distinguished by their superior sound quality.
Mint-condition copies of this pressing have sold for over $1,300. The album’s significance in hard rock history, combined with the band’s enduring popularity, makes it a must-have for collectors of classic rock vinyl.
15. Pink Floyd – “The Dark Side of the Moon” (1973)
While “The Dark Side of the Moon” is one of the best-selling albums of all time, certain pressings are extremely valuable. The original UK pressing with the solid blue triangle on the label and the poster and stickers intact is highly sought after by collectors.
Mint-condition copies of this pressing have sold for over $3,900. The album’s iconic status in rock history, its groundbreaking sound, and its instantly recognizable artwork make it a centerpiece of many serious vinyl collections.
These 15 rare vinyl records represent the pinnacle of music collecting, each telling a unique story of artistry, controversy, or historical significance. While the chances of stumbling upon one of these rarities in a dusty attic or flea market are slim, their existence proves the enduring allure of vinyl.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
