Credit: Mick Haupt
Would you pay over 10 grand for a rare CD of an Eminem EP? Probably not, but some people will. Here are 5 rare CDs that sold for ridiculous amounts of money.
With vinyl enjoying an unprecedented resurgence and cassettes making a slow and steady comeback, CDs are falling further and further by the wayside. But for rare CDs, the market is heating up.
Music lovers around the world are clearing out their collections to make way for vinyl (or are disregarding both formats as being made obsolete by digital mediums) CD sales are plummeting much in the same way that vinyl did in the mid-90s.
But before you starting dumping your rare CDs in alleyways or frisbee-ing them at cars, you might want to take a moment to check exactly what you are throwing out.
We have put together a list of 5 rare CDs on the market that have sold for ridiculous sums of money. If you own any of these, try not to have a heart attack.
Michael Jackson – Smile (1997) – worth£1,200 ($1965 AUD)
According to mjjcollectors.com, this crazy price tag applies only to copies of the Austrian edition. The release was cancelled, with all copies supposedly destroyed, but a few crept into circulation. There are quite a few fakes out there, and the site offers a handy guide to help you distinguish these from the real thing.
Coldplay –Safety EP (1998) – worth£2,000 ($3275 AUD)
Coldplay’sSafety EP contains just three tracks. The band self-released it with a limited run of 500 andthis Discogs write-up claims that “most of these copies were given to record company executives and friends & family and only a few remain in circulation”.
The Rolling Stones – Steel Wheels Japan Tour (1990) – worth£2,000 ($3275 AUD)
The Steel Wheels Japan Tour CD is career-spanning compilation of performances from the band’s 1989 Japanese tour, it was only available in Japan for promotional purpose and also contains a seven-page booklet of press material. One copy sold for 2,000 pounds in September 2019. Yep. Holy sh*t.
David Bowie – Sound + Vision (1989) – worth£4,000 ($6545 AUD)
A copy of Bowie’s epic compilation Sound + Visionsold for£4,099 on eBay in 2013.Only 350 copies of the compilation were made. It contains 49 tracks – a mix of studio and live recordings – and one video (Ashes To Ashes). The aforementioned eBay listing says it’s accompanied by a 72-page booklet and comes in ‘a basswood and birch box’. Better be a damn nice box.
Eminem – Slim Shady EP (1997) – worth£9,837 ($16,100 AUD)
Yeah, for real.Only 500 copies of the Slim Shady EP were made, and only half of those actually sold. This is probably the most valued CD of the lot despite it selling for an absurd amount. It’s only 9 tracks and a bunch are 30 second skits…
[via NME]
I'm a music enthusiast with a profound understanding of the music industry, collecting, and rare items. Over the years, I've delved deep into the world of rare CDs, their history, and their market value. I've closely followed auctions, sales, and expert opinions to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the subject.
Now, regarding the article on rare CDs, the mentioned pieces indeed hold substantial value in the collectors' market. Let's break down the concepts and provide additional information:
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Michael Jackson – Smile (1997)
- Rarity: Austrian edition, canceled release, few copies in circulation.
- Authenticity Concerns: Many fakes exist; mjjcollectors.com offers a guide for authentication.
- Market Value: £1,200 ($1,965 AUD).
-
Coldplay – Safety EP (1998)
- Limited Release: Self-released with only 500 copies, mainly distributed to record company executives, friends, and family.
- Circulation: Very few copies remain in circulation.
- Market Value: £2,000 ($3,275 AUD).
-
The Rolling Stones – Steel Wheels Japan Tour (1990)
- Exclusive Release: Available only in Japan for promotional purposes.
- Content: Career-spanning compilation of 1989 Japanese tour performances, seven-page booklet of press material.
- Market Value: £2,000 ($3,275 AUD).
-
David Bowie – Sound + Vision (1989)
- Limited Edition: Only 350 copies made.
- Contents: 49 tracks (studio and live recordings), one video (Ashes To Ashes), accompanied by a 72-page booklet, housed in a basswood and birch box.
- Market Value: £4,000 ($6,545 AUD).
-
Eminem – Slim Shady EP (1997)
- Rarity: Only 500 copies produced, with only half sold.
- Tracklist: 9 tracks, including 30-second skits.
- Market Value: £9,837 ($16,100 AUD).
These valuations underscore the niche market for rare CDs, driven by scarcity, historical significance, and the reputation of the artists. Collectors often place immense value on owning a piece of music history, leading to such high price tags for these rare finds.
FAQs
Absolutely! Although streaming and digital music are the most popular ways to listen these days, lots of people prefer the collectable nature and superior sound quality of CDs. This demand means that the vast majority of CDs are still worth something - and the amount you can make soon adds up!
What rare CDs are worth money? ›
Most Expensive CDs of All Time
| Price | Artist | Year |
|---|
| $1699.99 | Geisha Goner | 1993 |
| $1666.67 | Young Gangstas | 1995 |
| $1653.31 | Gangrena | 1994 |
| $1600 | Black Menace | 1993 |
45 more rowsThese are the best places to sell DVDs, CDs, games and books online:
- musicMagpie. Accepts: CDs, DVDs, Books and Games. ...
- CeX. Accepts: CDs, DVDs and Games. ...
- WeBuyBooks. Accepts: CDs, DVDs, Books and Games. ...
- GameXchange. Accepts: DVDs and Games. ...
- eBay. Accepts: CDs, DVDs, Books and Games. ...
- Amazon. ...
- Ziffit.
Go to your local pawnshop and look for similar CDs. Or look for “sold” items on eBay. At estate sales, common CDs from the 90s sell for half a buck. If you have some really collectible artists or rare CDs they may have value.
Should I keep all my old CDs? ›
If you're wondering “are CDs worth anything”, you should know there's a lot of value in those old CDs, especially if you're an audiophile. These days, some streaming services are losing their luster – with some famous artists like Neil Young taking down entire catalogs.
Do people buy CD collections? ›
That said, there are always collectors looking to complete a set, or replace a popular CD they owned in their younger years. And whatever they might pay — be it $5 or $10 — isn't a bad price for something that's been gathering dust in the basem*nt, Shrum noted. “It's a trophy for some people,” Shrum said.
Which CDs are worth more? ›
11 surprisingly valuable CDs you might own
- Prince – My Name was Price (Japan-only compilation)
- Value: $4,500-5,000.
- Rolling Stones/Paul McCartney/Queen – The Greatest (Japan-only box set)
- Value: Up to £2,500, or $5,078 equiv.
- Rolling Stones – Steel Wheels Japan Tour (Japan-only compilation)
- Value: $4,400-4,600.
The original promo copies featured a black sleeve with no title, artist name or photography, leading to it being labelled The Black Album. However, a week before the release, Prince declared the album to be 'evil' and ordered all 500,000 copies to be destroyed, turning it into one of the rarest records in the world.
How much is a bank CD worth? ›
Current national average CD rates
| Term | National average rate |
|---|
| 6-month CD | 1.57% APY. |
| 1-year CD | 1.81% APY. |
| 3-year CD | 1.41% APY. |
| 5-year CD | 1.39% APY. |
1 more rowMar 21, 2024
Recent releases in good condition might average $2.00 to $10.00 STORE CREDIT, with some being worth more. For titles that do still sell strongly and are in very good condition, we typically offer between $2 and $4 STORE CREDIT (or 50% of the credit value in cash).
Musicmagpie is one of the quickest and easiest services for selling unwanted CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays and even computer games. All you have to do is enter the barcode number from your item on the website to find out how much you'll get for it, or download the app and scan the barcode directly.
Do pawn shops buy music CDs? ›
Alpha Pawn Shops will buy your previously used CDs, DVDs and games at a fair price or trade. We've got all kinds of video games, game controllers and game consoles to keep the gamer happy!
Are CDs making a comeback? ›
The humble compact disc has gone from relic to retro as Gen Z music fans look for ways to commemorate their favorite artists.
What are 45 records worth? ›
Many 45's trade for pennies and cents. But, and this is a big but, many 45's go for reasonable sums of money, anything from a few Dollars and Pounds, to hundreds and thousands. Original 45s are highly collectible and should not be underestimated as a value store.
How much are my old CDs worth? ›
Recent releases in good condition might average $2.00 to $10.00 STORE CREDIT, with some being worth more. For titles that do still sell strongly and are in very good condition, we typically offer between $2 and $4 STORE CREDIT (or 50% of the credit value in cash).
How do I know if my CD is first edition? ›
Unlike vinyl LPs, where initial pressings can sound superior, pressed CDs sound the same through the whole batch. The only way to tell is if whoever is doing the pressing deliberately marks them as such. This information - directly or indirectly - should normally be found on the CD case or the CD itself.
Can you do anything with old CDs? ›
You might be able to donate them to schools or nursing homes. Thrift stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army will resell used CDs and give them a second life while making money for their cause.
But before you starting dumping your rare CDs in alleyways or frisbee-ing them at cars, you might want to take a moment to check exactly what you are throwing out.
