What old records are worth the most money? (2023)

How do you know if an old record is valuable?

If you're not sure how much a particular record is worth, the quickest way to find out is often to look online. Someone else is likely selling the same album on an online vinyl marketplace like Discogs or Reverb LP.

And generally speaking, rare records from the 1960s and 1970s (the "golden era" of music) which only had a few hundred copies pressed are the most valuable (even if that band is largely unknown), commanding four-figure sums in some cases.

The Beatles: 'Till There Was You'

In 2016, AFP reported that an anonymous British collector paid 77,500 pounds for the original vinyl demo record. Known as the “holy grail” of rock records, the 10-inch 78 rpm acetate record featured the namesake single on one side and the single “Hello Little Girl” on the other.

You can sell vinyl records and albums at garage sales and flea markets, use online platforms such as eBay or online record/music and bookstores, craigslist, you can contact your local library to see if they accept donations, or contact professionals like us for an appointment.

The best places to sell vinyl records online are eBay and Discogs. These are the two big 'go-to' platforms. The eBay vs Discogs debate is a big one amongst record collectors, with pros and cons to each. There are also some other alternative options listed below.

The official Discogs App is the best way to catalog your music collection, find that hidden gem, check pricing and buy music from the world's largest discography of physical music.

Rock and roll and R&B 45s with picture sleeves that were pressed in the 1950's have a value of at least $10, with many being valued at more than $100. EPs were only made in the 50's and 60's. Rock and roll and R&B 45s with the cardboard sleeves are worth at least $20, with many being worth more than $200.

For over 15 years, DJ Records USA has been in the business of buying used LPs, 45s, 78s and 12” singles from thousands upon thousands of individuals all over the United States. We buy truckloads of records from collectors, DJs, audiophiles, music industry executives, and estates.

A lot of albums sold in the 1970s and early 1980s sold millions of copies when new, and as such, it isn't difficult to find copies in nice, playable condition. That being the case, such records aren't likely to sell for very much money in the collectors market.

What record labels are the most valuable?

Here are a few tips to help you get maximum value for your records. Options for selling include websites such as Amazon, eBay, Popsike and Discogs. If you are hesitant or don't want the hassle of doing it online the best bet is to go to your favorite local record store or stores and see what they offer.

1. 'Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)' / 'Sweeter as the Days Go By' by Frank Wilson. First up we have what is for some the rarest 45 RPM single of all, with only two copies ever materialising, one of which was sold for over $37,000 in 2009.

If you want to sell it yourself and you have a lot of high-quality stuff (>$5 per record), you could post them on Facebook's 78 RPM Sell & Trade group or list on Discogs.com or even Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.org. Sometimes even lesser-quality records can be listed.

Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) There are only two known copies of Do I Love You (Indeed I Do), a rare 45-rpm Northern soul track by Frank Wilson, one of which sold for $37,000 in 2009.

Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 70 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album ever. Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, Celine Dion has four, while the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Madonna and Whitney Houston each have three.

The most valuable Elvis Presley album is his debut LP, Elvis Presley, which was released on RCA Victor in 1956. This album features Presley's first recordings, including the singles “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” A mint condition copy of this album can sell for upwards of $5,000.

“The early blues material from the '20s and '30s is the hottest material of all,” Mr. Tefteller said in a phone interview. He said that on average a rare jazz 78 might sell for $1,500 to $5,000, whereas sales for a comparable blues record would start at $5,000.

If the record is in good condition (and note that some records/genres/artists are more popular, and would be worth more), it will probably be around $15-$20. Special editions, signed or rare albums will fetch higher dollar amounts, even up to several hundred dollars.

How do you know if an album is vintage?

Check the Album's Front or Back Cover

All vinyl records have a label on the centre part of the disc. They normally will have information about the year the album was released to the public.

Yes, 78s are really popular as a collectors item. I looked through some old 78s in Tynemouth market a few weeks ago. There's always loads on sale .

High potential returns

Classic cars, fine art, coins, and stamps are popular collectible asset classes with a high potential ROI. But collectors can also profit from sports cards, celebrity memorabilia, watches, vintage whiskey bottles, old photographs, and even dinosaur bones.

photo source: Album Covers Wiki

The rarest Beatles Album is the White Album.

The Beatles – Yesterday and Today (Capitol, US album in 'butcher' sleeve, 1966). A sealed mint "first state" stereo copy sold for US$125,000 in February 2016, unsealed mint copies of this pressing have regularly sold for well over $15,000.

A deep cut vinyl record of the Beatles' early work is the promo single Ask Me Why/Anna. Only five copies of this single were ever pressed, and none of them were commercially released, making the copies incredibly rare. In 2012, a copy of this Vee Jay studio album sold for $35,000 at auction.