The Most Expensive Record Store Day Releases of All Time
Record Store Day is fast approaching on April 23. The limited-edition nature of RSD events has been known to create an aftermarket of seismic proportions. The following ranking explores the most expensive Record Store Day releases of all time (or at least, since 2008 when RSD began).
The list is determined by the median sale value in USD on Discogs, the world’s largest online music database. This means that you might find a copy for more — or less! — in the Discogs Marketplace. If you do find one with a higher price tag, that could be an indication that the album will appreciate in value.
Obviously, the popularity of the album or artist will cause the resale value to increase. Usually, the original price tags are on par for the format or the amount pressed, but the latter is what tends to influence price over time.
For example, take a closer look at that album sitting at No. 1. There are supposed to be six copies in existence, only four of which have been claimed. The Boards of Canada 12-inch was dropped on RSD 2013 purely as a promotional stunt. The actual record contains mostly dead space, a really short clip of music, and someone reading the numbers “936557” aloud. Is it the most rapturous song to come from the electronic duo? Not by a long shot. But its scarcity has ensured a top spot in this ranking (and the band eventually released a full-length later that year).
Most of the other expensive RSD releases don’t even come close to breaking the $1,000 mark, but the median sale values are still impressive. U.S. and European RSD pressings of Taylor Swift’s 1989 both cracked the top ten and a very limited Paul McCartney release was able to claim the No.2 spot.
If you’re looking for more information about Record Store Day 2022, we have a wide variety of coverage and all of the information you need on RSD 2022 releases.
Most Expensive RSD Releases of All Time
No. 20. Taylor Swift – Red (2018)
Median Sale Price:$350.00
Format: 2xLP, Album, Ltd, Num, RE, Cle
Label: Big Machine Records
No. 20. 5 Seconds Of Summer – 5 Seconds Of Summer (2014)
Median Sale Price: $350.00
Format: LP, Album, Pic, S/Edition
Label: Capitol, Hi Or Hey Records
No. 18. The Alarm – Two Rivers (2018)
Median Sale Price: $357.14
Format: 7″, S/Sided, Single, Ltd, Num
Label: Not On Label
No. 17. Taylor Swift – Taylor Swift (2018)
Median Sale Price: $357.93
Format: 2xLP, Album, Ltd, RE, Cle
Label: Big Machine Records
No. 16. Clutch – The Obelisk (2020)
Median Sale Price: $369.99
Format: 2xLP, Album + 2xLP, Album + 2xLP, Album + 2xLP, Al
Label: Weathermaker Music
15. Phish – New Year’s Eve 1995 Live at Madison Square Garden (2015)
Median sale price: $392.48
Label: Jemp Records
Format: Box set
13. La Luz – Live! At Sonic Boom Records 10/15/13 (2016)
Median sale price: $400.00
Label: Analog Ghost Recordings
Format: Lathe cut 7-inch
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14. Avicii – The Days / Nights EP (2015)
Median sale price: $400.00
Label: PRMD
Format: 12-inch
12. The Chris Robinson Band – Betty’s S.F. Blends, Volume One (2013)
Median sale price: $434.18
Label: Silver Arrow
Format: 4 x LP
11. Lorde – Team (2014)
Median sale price: $441.17
Label: Universal Music New Zealand
Format: 7-inch
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10. Alice Cooper – Live From The Astroturf (2016)
Median sale price: $460.00
Label: Good Records Recordings
Format: 7-inch
9. Miley Cyrus – Bangerz (2017)
Median sale price: $467.50
Label: RCA
Format: 2 x LP
8. Radical Face – The Family Tree (2016)
Median sale price: $529.59
Label: Nettwerk
Format: Box set
7. Death Grips – Government Plates (2014)
Median sale price: $543.00
Label: Harvest, Third Worlds
Format: LP
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6. Taylor Swift – 1989 (2018)
Median sale price: $666.66
Label: Big Machine Records
Format: 2 x LP
5. Taylor Swift – 1989 (2018)
Median sale price: $737.50
Label: Big Machine Records
Format: 2 x LP
4. Type O Negative – None More Negative (2011)
Median sale price: $775.00
Label: Roadrunner Records
Format: Box set
3. Cake – Vinyl Box Set (2014)
Median sale price: $989.00
Label: Upbeat Records
Format: Box set
2. Paul McCartney – Sweet Thrash (2015)
Median sale price: $1,000.00
Label: Self-released
Format: LP
1. Boards Of Canada – —— / —— / —— / XXXXXX / —— / —— (2013)
Median sale price: $2,500
Label: Warp Records
Format: 12-inch
Check out Record Store Day for more information about the drops on April 23 this year. Discogs is not affiliated with the RSD organization, but we agree with their mission of bringing more people into record stores.
This article has been updated in March 2022 with the most recent median sale prices.
Icon credits by Rockicon and Lastspark.
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