In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of high-priced vinyl, counting down the top 15 most expensive records ever bought by fans.
From iconic Radiohead pressings to one-of-a-kind masterpieces, prepare to be amazed by the staggering sums collectors have shelled out for these prized possessions!
Table of Contents
#1. DEATH GRIPS – EXMILITARY
Record: 2011 Release
Price: $725
Death Grips’ groundbreaking debut mixtape, Exmilitary, arrived for free download on April 25, 2011, straight from their website. It quickly gained traction, hitting iTunes and even landing on charts.
Unfortunately, uncleared samples forced the mixtape off streaming services. However, Death Grips didn’t leave fans empty-handed.
They released Exmilitary on vinyl, CD, and cassette formats exclusively on their website, ensuring fans could still own a physical copy.
As for streaming services, only the single Guillotine remains, a lone survivor from this influential mixtape.
Check out our custom vinyl record pressing
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#2. DEFTONES – WHITE PONY
Record: 2000 Promo Red Vinyl (sealed)
Price: $700
Deftones’ 2000 album, White Pony, shattered expectations and solidified their status as genre-defying innovators.
It marked a bold departure from the nu-metal sound they’d pioneered with “Around the Fur,” venturing into more atmospheric and experimental territory.
This “softness,” as some perceived it, was imbued with artistry and emotional depth, pushing boundaries and leaving a lasting impact.
Perhaps it’s this very defiance of categorization that contributes to White Pony’s enduring value and high price point.
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#3. THE MARS VOLTA – LA REALIDAD DE LOS SUEÑOS
Record: 2021 18LP Limited Deluxe Edition Box Set
Price: $560
For die-hard Mars Volta fans, La Realidad De Los Sueños (“The Reality of Dreams”) truly lives up to its title. For this comprehensive collection isn’t just a discography; it’s a treasure trove.
It includes the band’s entire studio output, along with unearthed gems like Landscape Tantrums, an unreleased track from the De-Loused In The Comatorium sessions.
To top it all off, a photo book brimming with exclusive behind-the-scenes moments offers an intimate glimpse into the band’s creative process.
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#4. SNOH AALEGRA – FEELS
Record: 2018 Clear / Glittering Pressing (signed copy)
Price: $550
While Snoh Aalegra’s debut album, Feels, officially dropped on October 20, 2017, its vinyl debut arrived a year later.
This highly sought-after first pressing featured a stunning aesthetic: clear vinyl with mesmerizing glittering swirls. A second batch was announced later in the year, but these lacked Aalegra’s signature, making the initial run even more coveted.
With only 180 copies released, fans who snagged one undoubtedly consider it a treasure.
Related Article:
9 Clear Vinyl Records That Are Just So Stunning
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#5. LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME SOUNDTRACK
Record: Volumes 1-3
Price: $500
Renowned for its revolutionary gameplay, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a beloved 1998 action-adventure game for the Nintendo 64, also boasts a soundtrack that deserves equal recognition.
Originally composed by Koji Kondo, the music took on a new life in 2017 when it was re-recorded by the acclaimed Slovak National Symphony Orchestra.
This orchestral rendition garnered high praise from fans, who appreciated the grandeur it brought to the already iconic score.
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#6. FRANK OCEAN – ENDLESS
Record: 2016 Original Pressing
Price: $500
Endless is a visual album by Frank Ocean, released in 2016. It serves as a precursor to his highly acclaimed album Blonde.
The project features experimental and ambient tracks, accompanied by a black-and-white visual component showcasing Ocean constructing a staircase.
The album is renowned for its innovative approach to storytelling and marked a significant moment in Ocean’s career, captivating audiences with its artistic depth and sonic exploration.
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#7. ROLLING STONES – TATTOO YOU
Record: 1981 Release (signed copy)
Price: $450 (in 2003)
The Rolling Stones’ Tattoo You is a bluesy rock album filled with swagger, featuring classic Stones riffs and Mick Jagger’s signature vocals.
Released in 1981, it’s a compilation of previously unreleased tracks that surprisingly became one of their best-selling albums.
At the time of the fan’s purchase, in 2003, the album was worth $450. Imagine how it’ll cost 21 years later? Pretty sure they’ll be more or less around $800 given that they still sound great.
And with every member’s signature splayed on the album, it’s practically a relic!
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#8. HERBIE HANCOCK – INVENTIONS AND DIMENSIONS
Record: 1964 Original Mono
Price: $450
Herbie Hancock’s 1963 album, “Inventions & Dimensions,” is a genre-bending exploration of jazz. It breaks away from the hard bop style of his earlier work, venturing into a more abstract and rhythmic territory.
Featuring a tight-knit quartet with a prominent Latin percussion section, the album prioritizes improvisation and experimentation over traditional melodies.
This forward-thinking approach showcases Hancock’s piano mastery while foreshadowing his future explorations in modal jazz and fusion.
Related Article:
12 Of The Greatest Jazz 12 Inches Vinyl Records Of All Time
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#9. COCK SPARRER – THE ESSENTIALS
Record: 2010 Limited Box Set
Price: $420 (+sf)
UK street punk outfit Cock Sparrer’s The Essentials isn’t your typical greatest hits album.
Released in 2008, it’s a raw and energetic compilation that digs beyond their commercial peak, showcasing the band’s blistering energy and working-class anthems.
If you’ve just got a copy of this, then expect a potent blend of social commentary, singalong choruses, and most-worthy punk rock fury, capturing the essence of Cock Sparrer’s enduring legacy.
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#10. TITLE FIGHT – FLORAL GREEN
Record: 2012 Limited Record Release
Price: $400
Even if I were a Title Fight fan, shedding off $400 from my pocket would still have me second-guessing.
The fan who bought it for that amount did so too. But knowing that there’s only 150 copies all over the world, is just too hard to pass up.
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#11. WESTSIDE GUNN – PRAY FOR PARIS
Record: 2020 Release
Price: $400
Westside Gunn’s Pray For Paris blends grimy boom bap production with luxurious boasts. It finds the Buffalo rapper reflecting on his hustler past that funded his lavish Parisian lifestyle.
Featuring guest appearances from Griselda affiliates and hip-hop heavyweights, it’s a high-energy celebration of achievement and excess.
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#12. PHISH – THE CLIFFORD BALL + FLATBED JAM
Record: 25th Anniversary Box Set + 2022 LP Release
Price: $400
Fans can surely dive deep into Phish’s legendary 1996 festival, The Clifford Ball, with this comprehensive box set. It features all 12 LPs capturing every note from both days, meticulously mixed and mastered for the ultimate listening experience.
But the party for one particular fan doesn’t stop there. Because along with the box set, they got the 2022 Flatbed Jam LP release too.
It’s a late-night, 37-minute ambient set played from the back of a flatbed truck for dedicated fans.
Check out our 12-inch vinyl record pressing
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#13. LEE MORGAN – LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
Record: 12 LP Box Set
Price: $385
Lee Morgan’s Live at the Lighthouse isn’t just a concert recording, it’s a blistering snapshot of a legendary trumpeter pushing boundaries.
Recorded in 1970 at a California club, this electrifying set captures Morgan’s quintet in their prime.
This box set is a treasure trove for jazz enthusiasts, offering an unparalleled window into a legendary live performance.
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#14. PEARL JAM TEN CLUB – LET ME SLEEP
Record: 1991 Christmas Single
Price: $360
For Pearl Jam diehards, the 1991 Ten Club exclusive Let Me Sleep is a coveted rarity. This limited edition 7-inch vinyl single holds the distinction of being the very first offering for the band’s official fan club.
The A-side features the original Let Me Sleep (Christmas Time) track, a unique holiday-themed composition not found on any Pearl Jam studio albums. The B-side, Ramblings, offers a taste of the band’s early, more experimental sound.
This collectible single is a must-have for any Pearl Jam fanatic, a chance to own a piece of the band’s history and a glimpse into their creative evolution.
Check out our 7-inch vinyl single pressing
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#15. AC/DC – POWERAGE
Record: 1978 Original Australian Pressing (signed copy)
Price: $350
AC/DC’s 1978 album, Powerage, is a high-voltage shot of pure rock and roll!
It features the electrifying duo of Angus Young’s razor-sharp riffs and Bon Scott’s unforgettable vocals on classics like Highway to Hell and Shoot to Thrill.
Powerage is a relentless powerhouse, showcasing the band’s raw energy and signature sound that would ignite a generation of rock fans.
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So there you have it – a glimpse into the world of astronomical vinyl record prices.
It’s a testament to the enduring power of music and the lengths fans will go to own a cherished piece of history.
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD, custom vinyl records and merch company in LA.
