The Ten Most Expensive Vinyl Records of All Time

In a digital world where music is available at the click of a button, vinyl still occupies a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts and collectors. Some rare records achieve astronomical prices and are true treasures for their owners.¹

In recent years, vinyl has made a remarkable comeback. While streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music dominate the music industry, interest in authentic sound and the tangible experience of vinyl records continues to grow. But did you know that some copies change hands for truly incredible sums?

The value of these rare vinyl records is determined by various factors: a limited edition, historical significance, the condition of the vinyl and cover, and sometimes even by famous manufacturing errors or the personal history of the item. For collectors, these records are not just an investment but also a tangible piece of music history.

In this article, we explore the fascinating world of exclusive vinyl records and reveal the ten most expensive copies ever sold. From a unique Wu-Tang Clan album to a numbered Beatles edition – these are the holy grail of vinyl collecting.¹

1. Wu-Tang Clan - "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" (2015) - $2 Million

The top spot on our list is held by an album designed as a piece of art. The hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan recorded "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" over six years (2007-2013) and then decided to do something revolutionary: only one copy was pressed.²

The idea behind this extreme limitation was to increase the intrinsic value of the music, which, according to producers Cilvaringz and RZA, had almost fallen to zero through the internet. Their goal was to restore music’s status as a work of visual art. The record was sold in 2015 to Martin Shkreli, the controversial then-CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, for an impressive $2 million.³

The album was kept in a handcrafted silver jewelry box sealed with the Wu-Tang logo in wax. The purchase agreement included a remarkable clause: the album may not be used commercially until 2103 (88 years after purchase).⁴

The story took an unexpected turn when Shkreli was convicted of fraud in 2018. The US government confiscated the album and sold it in 2021 for $4 million to PleasrDAO, a collective of NFT collectors. The group announced plans to make the album more accessible to the public.⁴

2. The Beatles - "The Beatles" (White Album) No. 0000001 (1968) - $790,000

When it comes to expensive records, it’s no surprise that The Beatles appear multiple times on our list. In second place is a special version of their iconic "White Album." In 2015, Ringo Starr’s personal copy, marked with serial number "No. 0000001," was auctioned for $790,000.⁵

This was not just a record – it was literally the very first printed copy of this milestone in music history. The Beatles received the first four copies of the album, and Ringo was lucky enough to get the very first. He kept the record stored in a safe deposit box in London for 35 years, which preserved it in excellent condition.⁶

“We played the vinyl back then,” Starr later said in Rolling Stone. “We didn’t think: ‘We’ll keep it for 50 years, and then it will be in perfect condition.’ Whoever gets it, my fingerprints will be on it.”⁶

The proceeds from the auction went to Starr’s Lotus Foundation, which is involved in social welfare projects.⁶

3. Elvis Presley - "My Happiness" (1953) - $300,000

In third place is a recording of enormous historical value: the very first studio recording Elvis Presley ever made. In July 1953, a year before his official debut single "That’s All Right," 18-year-old Elvis entered Memphis Recording Service and recorded two songs for $4: "My Happiness" and "That’s When Your Heartaches Begin."⁷

There is only one copy of this acetate record, likely made by Elvis as a birthday present for his mother. The record marks the beginning of what would become one of the most influential music careers of all time.⁷

In 2015, this unique recording was purchased for $300,000 by none other than Jack White, frontman of The White Stripes and an enthusiastic vinyl collector. White subsequently had multiple copies pressed for the wider public.⁸

White provided a fascinating look into the preservation process of this historic recording by releasing a video showing the acetate record being digitized.⁸

4. The Quarrymen - "That’ll Be The Day / In Spite Of All The Danger" (1958) - $275,000

Before they became The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison played in a band called The Quarrymen. In 1958, they recorded a demo record with covers of Buddy Holly’s "That’ll Be The Day" and "In Spite of All The Danger," the only song credited to Paul McCartney and George Harrison.⁹

This recording cost 17 shillings and sixpence (about 88 cents at the time) and was made in Percy Phillips’ home studio in Liverpool. It is effectively the very first recording that would later become one of the most successful bands of all time.⁷

Only one original copy of this record exists, owned by Paul McCartney. In 1981, he had about 50 copies made as gifts for family and friends. The original is estimated at around $275,000, while the copies from 1981 are each worth approximately $12,000.⁷

5. The Beatles - "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (signed) (1967) - $266,300

Another Beatles item in the list is a copy of their groundbreaking album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" signed by all four band members. This copy was sold a few years ago for more than a quarter of a million dollars.⁷

The album, released in 1967, is considered one of the most influential rock albums of all time and marked a turning point in music history. Copies with signatures from all four Beatles are extremely rare, which explains the high price.

Currently, copies signed by all band members sell for around $11,500, while a copy signed only by producer George Martin is roughly $10,400.⁷

6. The Beatles - "Yesterday and Today" (1966) - €42,000

The sixth spot again goes to The Beatles, with their controversial "Yesterday and Today" album, better known as the "Butcher Cover" album. The original cover featured band members in white butcher coats, surrounded by raw meat and decapitated baby dolls.¹⁰

After intense reactions, the cover was quickly withdrawn and replaced by a more harmless version. Capitol Records literally glued the new cover over the old in already pressed copies. The rare original versions with the "Butcher Cover" are highly sought after by collectors.¹⁰

Original copies with the open "Butcher Cover" can fetch up to €42,000, and copies where the original "butcher" cover remains fully underneath the pasted second cover are also worth significant sums.²

7. Frank Wilson - "Do I Love You? (Indeed I Do)" (1965) - €35,000

In seventh place is a single by Motown producer Frank Wilson. This 7-inch single was actually never officially released, as Wilson decided to focus on his career as a producer rather than as an artist.²

Motown boss Berry Gordy ordered nearly all copies destroyed, but some escaped this fate. In the late 1970s, one copy appeared in England, and since then, the record has become one of the most sought-after Northern Soul singles.²

Due to its extreme rarity and musical quality, this record can fetch up to €35,000 at auctions. It’s a perfect example of how scarcity combined with artistic value can lead to extraordinary prices.²

8. Bob Dylan - "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" (1963) - €31,000

The eighth spot goes to a rare version of Bob Dylan’s second album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan". What makes this record special is that it’s an extremely rare early pressing with later versions replaced by other tracks.²

Originally, four songs appeared on the track list, but at the last moment, they were replaced by "Rocks and Gravel," "Let Me Die in My Footsteps," "Gamblin' Willie’s Dead Man’s Hand," and "Talking John Birch Blues." Only a few copies of this original version with the original songs circulated before the change. Afterward, they were replaced by "Masters of War," "A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall," "Bob Dylan’s Dream," and "Talking World War III Blues."²

These original versions with the rare tracklist can fetch up to €31,000 and are considered some of the most valuable folk records ever.²

9. The Velvet Underground & Nico - "The Velvet Underground & Nico" (1966) - €22.500

The debut album of The Velvet Underground, produced by Andy Warhol with his iconic banana design on the cover, is one of the most influential rock albums of all time. Although initially not a commercial success, it is today an extremely sought-after collector’s item.²

Particularly valuable are the original pressings with the “removable” banana on the cover, a design by Warhol himself. On the very first copies, the yellow banana peel could actually be “peeled” away to reveal a pink banana underneath.²

This original edition with the intact peel mechanism can fetch up to €22.500, especially if it’s in excellent condition and signed by band members or Warhol himself.²

10. Elvis Presley - "Stay Away, Joe" (1967) - €22.000

The tenth place is occupied by another rare Elvis Presley title. "Stay Away, Joe" contains recordings Elvis made for a one-time radio broadcast and is thus extremely rare.²

This album, which was never intended for commercial release, includes a 30-minute recording produced specifically for a radio show. Due to this special origin, the record has become very valuable, with an estimated worth of €22,000.²

The rarity is further increased because many of these special radio pressings have been destroyed or lost over the years, making the remaining copies increasingly valuable.²

Conclusion

The ten most expensive vinyl records in the world all tell fascinating stories about rarity, historical significance, and priceless cultural value. Whether it’s an intentionally limited edition like the Wu-Tang album, historic first recordings like Elvis Presley’s, or rare records with altered tracks or covers due to chance — these musical artifacts represent a unique piece of history.¹¹