Most Valuable CDs

Rare and valuable CDs you might own or find at a garage sale.

CDs, what a crappy medium. Over time they get scratched, warped, skip and…well, you know — that’s a huge reason I can’t remember the last time I touched one.

I think just about everyone realizes that vinyl records have become collectable, but tt’s kind of suprising CDs are already a collector item.

Album: Radiohead – Special Sampler 2003 Estimated Value: $600 – 800

Background: Ultra rare 2003 Japanese only promotional only 15-track compilation CD featuring tracks from each of their albums along with the track There There – Single Edit and Album Version.With a 24-page Japanese booklet featuring band members biography, discography PCD-2764

Album: Metallica – Mandatory Metallica Estimated Value: $500

Background: Mega Rare 1988 US original 7-track promo-only compilation CD, this issue is without the track ‘One’ which was added to the later 8-track issue, custom picture sleeve PR8020-2

Album: Coldplay – Mince Spies Estimated Value: $400 (Rising fast – Hold on to it)

Background: 2001 UK fanclub-only 2-track CD single, featuring Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas from the BBC Radio 1 session and Yellow The Alpha Remix, limited to 1000 copies, custom card picture sleeve featuring a Christmas message COLDXMAS1

Album: Rolling Stones – Welcome To Japan Licks Estimated Value: $1750-2000

Background: Licks Japan Tour 2003 Sampler (Ultra rare 2003 Japanese Toshiba EMI promotional only 10-track copy controlled CD. Issued to promote the Japanese dates of the Licks Tour. Unique custom picture sleeve showing Mick on stage with Japanese tour dates listed in bottom corner.

Album: Bob Dylan – Mr. D’s Collection #3 Estimated Value: $1,000 -1,200

Background: Very Rare 1993 Japanese 12-track promo-only CD, most tracks otherwise unavailable on CD, superb unique picture sleeve.

Album: David Bowie – Special DJ Sampler Estimated Value: $1,000

Background: Mega rare 1999 Japanese promo only 17-track CD to promote the Hours album, including Let’s Dance, Starman, Sound & Vision, Boys Keep Swinging & Thursday’s Child, unique David picture sleeve with discography PCD-2188

Album: Pink Floyd – Fate of Circle Estimated Value: $1,000

Background: 1994 Japanese 24-track promo-only 2-CD set, features selections from The Division Bell plus 2 live tracks & selected songs from the Floyd back catalogue & related solo Gilmour, Waters, Mason & Wright, superb custom digipak page + 10-page booklet! XDCS93138~9

Album: Bruce Springsteen – 70’s to 80’s The Future Of Rock ‘N Roll Estimated Value: $2,000 – 2,500

Background: Rare 1988 Japanese promotional-only 2-CD set; Disc 1 features 14-tracks from the 70’s and Disc 2 features 16-tracks from the 80’s; legendary rarity and probably the hardest Springsteen promo to find, housed in fat double CD case with guitar picture insert.

Album: Led Zeppelin – 1996 Special Sampler Estimated Value: $700

Background: Ultra rare 1996 Japanese 13-track promo-only CD, in superb custom fold-out digipak picture sleeve + booklet ASCD-112

Album: R.E.M. – The Wake-Up Bomb Estimated Value: $400 (and rising fast)

Background: Rare 1996 Japanese 16-track retrospective promotional only CD including the classic tracks Orange Crush, Losing My Religion, Shiny Happy People, Everybody Hurts, Man On The Moon, What’s The Frequency Kenneth & Crush With Eyeliner.

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Album: Rolling Stones – Steel Wheels Japan Tour 1990 Estimated Value: $4,500

Background: Double disc set. Promo-only. This cd set has 22 tracks andcomes with a music shop only promo poster. This is a Japanese CBS Sony release. Album: Nirvana – Penny Royal Tea Estimated Value: $2,000

Background: This is a one track only disc that contains the Scott Litt Mix. UK Promotional Single.

Album: Tori Amos – Precious Things Promo CD5 Estimated Value: $1,000

Background: US 5-Track picture disc promo. Album: Pet Shop Boys – Totally Estimated Value: $2,500

Background: 1988 11 track promo cd with black and white picture sleeve.

 

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