This article was originally published on Kueez
40. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue (1959)
Miles Davis is known for revolutionizing the jazz genre, not one but three times. This has to be the coolest records out there. In financial terms, Kind of Blue is his most valuable record.
Kind of Blue was recorded by legendary saxophonists Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane, bassist Paul Chambers, Pianists Wynton Kelly and Bill Evans, and drummer Jimmy Cobb. An original of this classic can go up to $1,000.
39. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin (1969)
The eponymous debut of Led Zeppelin features a mix of original material and covers of amazing blue songs. Although Rolling Stone called it “as foppish as Rod Stewart, but nowhere near so exciting,” it was still able to gain immediate commercial success.
Ironically, Rolling Stone rated it as the 29th greatest album of all time in 2003. The record can easily fetch you $1,000, but it will depend a lot on its condition.
7. The Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
According to many historians, this record has an enormous influence on the punk rock genre.
One Canadian record collector couldn't believe his luck when he bought a copy for 75 cents at a flea market. He ended up selling it on eBay for $25,200.
37. Nirvana, Bleach (1989)
The songs from Nirvana's second album Nevermind were really popular, but it is the debut record of the band that is worth the big bucks.
The original pressing of the vinyl had 1,000 copies and has sold for $2,500. The third pressing had only 500 copies and has sold for about $1,100. You can identify the third pressing by its d a red and white 12” and a blue 7” vinyl.
35. XTC, Science Friction (1977)
The British band released "Science Friction" as a 45 RPM single along with "She's So Square." Only 50 copies were printed before putting it on a 12-inch.
So, if you have one of these rare bad boys, then you can earn a little fortune. You can sell the limited record for about $2,000.
5. Bob Dylan, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963)
There is an interesting story behind this record. So before the release, a few tracks were meant to be replaced. It was a simple task, but the pressing plant didn’t get the memo and wrong songs were pressed on a few copies.
It is believed that there are less than 20 mono copies of the record and only two stereo copies. The record could fetch $35,000 or more.
34. ABBA, Hova’s Vittne (1981)
Now here is an exceptional record. The promotional copy of this single had only 200 copies and was distributed to those within the record company.
The band is considered among the most commercially successful musical groups of all time. If you have a copy of this record in good condition, it can easily earn you about $3,500.
33. The Quarrymen, That’ll Be the Day (1981)
The diehard fans of The Beatles can recognize the name "Quarrymen" as the first band name the fabulous four decided to take before they became a worldwide sensation.
This single was reprinted by Paul McCartney for his friends and family. It has a lot of value now and if you have it now then you can sell it for around $3,500.
30. The Beatles, Abbey Road (1969)
It is no surprise that any rare version of The Beatles would sell at a good price. Abbey Road was the 11th studio album of the legendary band.
It can easily sell for up to $4,000. Check for the gold sticker on the back of the album and consider yourself super lucky if you find it there. Another reason to have this record is that Rolling Stone placed it 14th on their list of the “500 Greatest Records of All Time.”
32. David Bowie, Diamond Dogs (1974)
When the label noticed that the back album cover showed the bottom half of a dog (genitals), they got nervous and the offending parts were airbrushed.
However, some enterprising employees made off with the originals. That explains why one copy was sold for $3,500 in 2003. Given that the singer passed away recently, it won't be wrong to say that the rare record can fetch you a lot more money.
31. Cherry Five, Cherry Five (1975)
Most horror movies fans have most definitely heard this band. After the band released this record, they changed their name to Goblin.
The band went on to create the hit soundtracks of Deep Red, Dawn of the Dead, and Suspiria. As their first release is quite rare, it can easily fetch you about $3,500.
29. The Thirteenth Floor Elevators, Reverberation (Doubt) (1966)
This record features hit songs, such as “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” “Fire Engine,” and “Tried to Hide.”
If you find this early recording of the band, you can make up to $4000 - depending on if you find a passionate buyer.
28. Elvis Presley, That’s All Right (1954)
Elvis Presley (aka The King) recorded this album when he was taking a break from recording. He was jamming Arthur Crudup’s song “That’s All Right, Mama” when he recorded "That's All Right, Mama."
According to many historians, this is the first true rock-n-roll record ever made. The mint condition of this record is easily worth around $4,000.
27. The Beatles, Please Please Me (1963)
Here is a fun fact for you. The Beatles recorded this album in a rush. As the deadline was approaching, they had to complete seven songs in a day. Yes, you’ve read it right.
The rarest of copies of the band's debut album has been sold for about $4,200. The first pressing also contains band's name in gold lettering.
26. Depeche Mode, Music for the Masses (1987)
This record is good, but it is the cover that makes it so valuable. In the original UK version, there was a graphic of a white speaker with sound waves emanating from it.
As the cover was scrapped, it was replaced by the photograph of a loudspeaker in the middle of the desert. However, a few copies were printed with the old design. So, a rare copy of this record was sold for $4,600 in 2011.
25. Elvis Presley, Speedway (1968)
The King was at the end of his acting career when he recorded Speedway. Although the film did not receive much success, the copies of the soundtrack became extremely valuable.
Only 300 copies were printed and you could sell it for $5,000 if it is in pristine condition. Even if it isn’t in perfect condition, it can still get good money.
24. Misfits, Legacy of Brutality (1985)
With only 16 copies of the second pressing of this compilation album, it is a rare record that can put about $5,000 in your hands.
Misfits’ singer Glen Danzig quit the band and avoided paying royalties to his old band-mates by overdubbing the instrumental parts of the band's old recordings.
23. Elton John, I’ve Been Loving You (1968)
Elton John collaborated with Bernie Taupin on many of his greatest hits. Bernie was credited for penning the lyrics, but John admitted that he had written the song himself.
“Thank You for All Your Loving” and “Angel Tree” is included in this version. If you find the right collector, you can sell the ultra-rare copy for about $5,000.
22. Brute Force, King of Fuh (1969)
The Beatles’ label Apple Recordings printed this single, but it almost never saw the light of day. It is because the lyrics had obscenity in them.
In 2010 (after nearly half a century, the record was given a proper release. However, you can get about $5,000 if you have one of the original 1,000 copies.
21. Bruce Springsteen, Spirit in the Night (1973)
Coming across the original pressing of “the Boss" is quite hard and that's why the original pressing can fetch $5,000.
If you think that you have a copy somewhere collecting dust, it is time for you to start digging.
20. Century Symphony Orchestra, Waltzes by Johann Strauss, Jr. (1956)
The list would be incomplete without including a classical music record in it.
With only seven copies of this record, it is no surprise that it can fetch a handsome amount. In fact, one of the displays at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh was sold for $5,500 in 2012.
19. Max Steiner, The Caine Mutiny
When Herman Wouk threatened the studio never to use his work if they released the album, the record was scrapped with half dialogue and half soundtrack.
The reason why Wouk was furious was that he saw the theft of his intellectual property. Hence, Columbia destroyed all the copies. However, employees filched some copies. In 2012, one copy sold for $6,700.
18. Sex Pistols, God Save the Queen (1977)
There were 25,000 copies of this record, but it is believed that only 10 survived after they were destroyed on the orders of A&M.
As expected, a few people pinched some copies and they have been sold for over $8,600.
17. U2, Pride (In the Name of Love) (1984)
It is said that this limited Australian edition only has 50 copies. Although Rolling Stone's list of greatest songs ever made ranks it at 38th number, Bono says that he is not much satisfied with the song.
The song is known for referencing the civil rights movement and the assassination of Martin Luther King. If you own or see one of these 12-inch singles, you should know that it can fetch up to $9,000.
16. Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), Xanadu (1980)
Xanadu is considered by many as one of the worst movies ever made and the theme song isn’t much popular as well. So, what’s so special about it?
Well, it is believed that Olivia Newton-John hated her look in the picture printed on the front of the disc. So, she asked the record company to stop the pressing. If you find a copy of the original, you can cash it in for $9,100.
15. Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568 (1957)
It is estimated that there were about 300 to 1,000 copies of this record. What makes it special is a story that when the famed jazz record label Blue Note was printing the record it ran out of labels.
In 2015, the standard label that had the address listed as "47 West 63rd NYC" was sold for $11,162 on eBay. It is believed that the other version that said "47 West 63rd New York 23" must be worth more than the standard one.
14. Robert Johnson, Me and the Devil Blues (1938)
This 78 RPM platter could be worth up to $12,000 as it features “Me and the Devil Blues” on side A and “Little Queen of Spades” on side B.
The song on side A tells the story who wakes up when Satan knocks on his door.
13. The White Stripes, Lafayette Blues (1998)
With only 15 copies of the record, the album features the songs “Lafayette Blues” on side A, and “Sugar Never Tasted So Good” on side B.
If you have the record stored somewhere, then congratulations because you are potentially sitting on about $12,700.
12. Stonewall, Stonewall (1976)
There is a high possibility that you haven't heard of this obscure band. It is because they were never signed to a record label and their only release was pressed without their knowledge.
Unfortunately, the release (Tiger Lily) was handled by a record label that was a scam. However, some of the release of the record label achieved a cult following over the years. This record will be worth around $14,000 if you find the right collector.
11. Röyksopp, Melody A. M. (2001)
The debut record of Norwegian electronic duo was a huge success as it sold over 1 million copies. That's why the pressing of the record is quite valuable.
The only 100 of these limited edition copies were hand-spray painted by elusive street artist Banksy. So, that explains why they are listed as high as $14,204 on Discogs.
10. The Beatles, Yesterday and Today (1966)
This record is famous for another reason. It is because it featured a photo of fab four in which they were dressed in butcher's attire and holding headless baby dolls. And it doesn't end here; there was raw meat strewn across the laps of baby dolls.
As expected, the cover wasn’t well received and the Capital Records had to buy back the 750,000 records by paying $250,000. However, they couldn’t get their hands on some records. If you have one of those copies, you are sitting on $15,300.
9. The Rolling Stones, Street Fighting Man (1968)
This valuable album was self-censored by the record label because the album featured a photo of unconcerned police officers standing over an injured protester.
The record label destroyed all the copies and only 18 records survived. In 2011, one of those records was auctioned off for $17,000.
8. The Five Sharps, Stormy Weather (1952)
This record is considered extremely rare. It is believed that only three copies of Stormy Weather exist.
If you have this copy in your basement or somewhere hidden, you should know that it could go as high as $20,000.
38. The Who, The Who Sell Out (1967)
In the first run of The Who’s third album, there were only 1,000 copies. The album was half-pressed mono and half stereo.
If you are lucky enough to have one of the rare albums along with the psychedelic butterfly poster, then it can help you get around $1,100 on eBay.
6. Frank Wilson, Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
When Motown producer/songwriter Frank Wilson recorded “Do I Love You” and “Sweeter As the Days Go By,” he agreed with Mowtown founder, Berry Gordy, that it'd be best if he’d work behind the scenes.
So, Gordy ordered to destroy all the pressings. Luckily two copies survived and one of them was sold in 2009 auction for about $34,000.
36. David Bowie, The Prettiest Star (1973)
It won't be wrong to say that this 45 RPM single is extremely rare. The late rockstar proposed to his future (ex) wife Angela Barnett while performing the song over the phone.
Marc Bolan played the guitar for the record, but he became Bowie’s rival as the relationship between them soured due to the remarks of Bolan’s wife to Bowie. She told him that “Marc is too good for you, to be playing on this record!” Well, it became evident that Bowie had the last laugh. The record can easily fetch you $2,000.
4. Tommy Johnson, Alcohol And Jake Blues (1930)
A North Carolina seller was extremely lucky when he came into possession of a rare 78 RPM slab. He found it at an estate sale.
He sold it on eBay for $37,100. It is believed that these are the only copies of the record that exist - both belong to John Tefteller and the winning bidder.
3. Prince, The Black Album
Prince recorded The Black Album but decided to halt the release and recall all the pressed 500,000 copies. He paid the label to recall the copies because he had an epiphany that his record was "evil."
Given that some promotional copies were already in circulation, the singer eventually changed his mind and released a CD version in 1994. In 2018, an original (unopened) pressing sold for $42,300 and if you have an unsealed Canadian version then it is worth $25,700.
2. Aphex Twin aka Caustic Window, Caustic Window
Richard D. James, aka Aphex Twin decided to release his album under the alias "Caustic Window." However, he decided to abandon the project when only five copies were pressed.
Luckily, one copy escaped the destruction and appeared in 2014 on Discogs. The asking price was $13,500. The vinyl copy was sold on eBay for $46,300, Minecraft creator Markus Persson bought the lucky copy.
1. The Beatles, The Beatles (aka “The White Album”) (1968)
Unsurprisingly, this classic from The Beatles tops our list. This one of a kind album is marked with the serial number “A0000001.”
It was kept in a bank vault for almost three-and-a-half decades and was sold during a charity for - wait for it - $790,000.