Here are some of the world’s most expensive vinyl records as of 2023:
- Wu-Tang Clan – Once Upon a Time in Shaolin: This is the most expensive vinyl record ever sold. The one and only copy of the album was recorded as a secret project over a 5-year period, stored in a vault in Morocco, and then sold via auction in 2015 for a whopping $2 million.
- The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album): This album was released in 1968 and is one of the most iconic albums of all time. A rare copy of the album sold for $790,000 at an auction in 2021
- Elvis Presley – My Happiness: This is the first-ever recording made by Elvis Presley in 1953. Only one copy of the record exists, which was sold at auction in 2015 for $300,000.
- The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band: This album was released in 1967 and is considered one of the greatest albums of all time. A signed copy of the album sold for $290,500 at an auction in 2021.
- John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Double Fantasy: This album was released in 1980 and is famous for being John Lennon’s last studio album before his death. A copy of the album signed by Lennon just hours before his death sold for $525,000 at an auction in 2021.
- The Beatles – Yesterday & Today: This album was released in 1966 and features the controversial “butcher cover”. A sealed copy of the album sold for $125,000 at an auction in 2021.
- Aphex Twin – Caustic Window: This is an example of a record that hit the spot at the right time. Caustic Window was released in 1996 by Richard David James, or Aphex Twin, as he’s better known. One of the original test pressings appeared for sale on eBay in 2014 and was acquired by Markus ‘Notch’ Persson, the creator of Minecraft, for $46,300.
- Frank Wilson – Do I Love You (Indeed I Do): The song was pressed in 1965 by the Motown subsidiary label, Soul. Being Wilson’s only Motown single, and the fact that there’s rumoured to be only five left in circulation, the chances of finding one are almost impossible. One of the last remaining copies that we know about sold at auction to an anonymous buyer in May 2009 for $37,000.
- Tommy Johnson – Alcohol and Jake Blues: Paramount records released Tommy Johnsons ‘Alcohol and Jake Blues’ in 1930. Johnson was a musician and songwriter from Terry, Mississippi, who was best known for his eerie falsetto voice and sophisticated guitar playing. A copy of ‘Alcohol and Jake Blues’ 78 rpm was listed on eBay in 2013, selling for an impressive $37,100.
- Scaramanga Silk – Choose Your Weapon: This is a limited edition vinyl record that was released by Scaramanga Silk in 2008. Only ten copies were made, each with a unique cover design created by artist Jimi Crayon. One copy sold for £2,700 ($3,500) on eBay in 2018.
These records are just some examples of how valuable vinyl records can be. If you’re interested in learning more about vinyl records or purchasing some yourself, check out Presley Collectibles. We have an extensive collection featuring rare and authentic items that aren’t available anywhere else.
World’s Most Expensive Vinyl