On the Record: Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon — Original Pressings, Value and How to Identify Yours

An original UK first pressing of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon (Harvest SHVL 804, 1973) has a solid light-blue triangle on the black prism label, A-2 and B-2 in the runouts, and comes with two posters and two stickers. Complete copies in excellent condition have recently sold for roughly £900–£1,500 (about A$1,700–A$3,000). Exceptional unplayed early-stamper copies have sold for much more. Most other copies, including Australian, US and later UK pressings, are worth far less, typically between $20 and $150. Here's how to work out which one you have.

Quick check: is my Dark Side of the Moon a first pressing?

Check	UK first pressing (1973)	Later UK copies
Catalogue number	SHVL 804	SHVL 804
Label	Black prism label with a solid light-blue triangle	The triangle is an outline only
Label rim text	"The Gramophone Co. Ltd."	"EMI Records Ltd." (from about 1975)
Runouts	SHVL 804 A-2 / B-2, machine-stamped	A-3/B-3 and higher
Sleeve	Matte gatefold that opens on one side; "Printed and made by Garrod and Lofthouse Ltd"	Different printers and finishes
Inserts	Two posters and two stickers, plus a black die-cut inner sleeve	Often missing or later versions

A solid blue triangle tells you it's a first issue, but EMI pressed huge numbers of those labels. Pink Floyd discography specialists point out that a solid-triangle copy can still come from a late batch, so check the runouts too.

How to read the runouts

The runout is the smooth area between the last track and the label. On a UK Harvest copy you'll see the matrix number, such as SHVL 804 A-2, plus a separate number and letter, such as 1 G.

• A-2 / B-2 is the matrix used for the first issue. A-3/B-3, A-4/B-4 and higher numbers came later.
• The number and letter show the mother and stamper. EMI used letters to stand for numbers, so G means 1, R means 2, A means 3 and so on. Lower numbers mean an earlier stamper.

In March 2026, an unplayed UK copy with A-2/B-2 and 1/G stampers, said to have been owned by an EMI employee, sold on Discogs for US$13,160. That's the extreme top end. Most first-issue copies have higher stamper numbers and some play wear.

The posters and stickers

A complete UK first pressing should include:

• A pyramid poster (glossy, no catalogue number)
• A band poster with six live photos and "SHVL 804" in the bottom corner
• Two pyramid stickers, ideally still unused on their backing paper
• A black die-cut, poly-lined inner sleeve

Some copies also have a round sticker on the front cover. Inserts make a big difference to value. A first pressing without them is worth noticeably less, and posters and stickers often get swapped between copies, so check they look right for the record.

What is Dark Side of the Moon worth?

Values depend on the pressing, its condition and whether it's complete. Some real sales:

Copy	Condition	Sold for
UK first pressing, A-2/B-2, 1/G stampers, unplayed	Mint, EMI employee's copy	US$13,160 (Discogs, March 2026)
UK first pressing, A-2/B-2, complete with posters and stickers	Excellent	£881 (eBay, September 2023)
New Zealand first pressing, Harvest SHVL.804	Various	Median about US$100 on Discogs
Australian 1973 quadraphonic, Harvest Q4 SHVLA.804	Various	Median about US$64 on Discogs

For your own copy, identify the pressing, grade the record and cover honestly, then compare completed sales of the same pressing in similar condition. Asking prices aren't evidence of value. Our vinyl grading guide explains the grades.

Australian and New Zealand pressings

If you bought your copy in Australia in the 1970s, there's a good chance it's an Australian pressing.

• Australia: the best-known 1973 Australian issue is a quadraphonic pressing, Harvest Q4 SHVLA.804, made by EMI (Australia). It's marked "Quadraphonic" on the back of the sleeve, and the labels read "Made in Australia by E.M.I. (Australia) Limited". First Australian pressings have a laminated (glossy) sleeve, and later ones don't. Copies came with two fold-out posters. It plays normally on a standard stereo turntable.
• New Zealand: Harvest SHVL.804, made by His Master's Voice (N.Z.) Limited, which is printed around the label rim.

These pressings are collectable in their own right but sell for much less than UK first pressings.

Other pressings collectors look for

• UK quadraphonic (Q4SHVL 804): a four-channel version with a different mix. It's collected for that mix, and it plays as stereo on a normal turntable.
• US (Harvest SMAS-11163): pressed by Capitol. US copies came with posters and stickers too, and the label rim credits Capitol Records. US copies are common and usually modestly priced.
• Japan (Harvest EOP-80778, 1973): came with an obi strip, a 32-page booklet in English and Japanese, and posters. Complete copies with the obi are sought after.
• Mobile Fidelity (MFSL 1-017): a half-speed mastered audiophile edition pressed in Japan by JVC. It's prized for its sound and is collectable in its own right.

Which is the best pressing to listen to?

Collectors argue about this endlessly. Early UK A-2/B-2 copies, the Mobile Fidelity edition and the original Japanese pressing are all commonly recommended. In practice, condition matters more than which pressing you have: a clean later copy will sound better than a worn first pressing.

If you want a new copy, the 50th anniversary remaster is the simplest choice. It's an official 2023 remaster on a single 180 g LP, released by Pink Floyd Records. We stock the 50th anniversary edition, and it's in stock now.

How to avoid paying too much

• Ask for clear photos of both labels and both runouts before paying a premium.
• Check the triangle is solid, not an outline.
• Check the rim text reads "The Gramophone Co. Ltd."
• Ask for photos of the posters, stickers and inner sleeve.
• Make sure the record matches the sleeve. Records often end up in the wrong cover over 50 years.
• Ask how it plays, not just how it looks.
• Compare completed sales of the same pressing and condition.

Our guide to identifying a first pressing explains these clues in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Dark Side of the Moon is a first pressing?

For a UK copy, look for SHVL 804, a solid light-blue triangle on the label, "The Gramophone Co. Ltd." around the label rim, and A-2/B-2 in the runouts.

What does the solid blue triangle mean?

It identifies the first issue of the UK label. Later UK copies have an outlined triangle.

How much is a 1973 Dark Side of the Moon worth?

Complete UK first pressings in excellent condition have recently sold for roughly £900–£1,500. Australian, New Zealand, US and later copies usually sell for $20–$150, depending on condition.

Is A-3/B-3 a first pressing?

No. A-3/B-3 copies came after A-2/B-2. They're still early and collectable, but they're worth less.

Was Dark Side of the Moon pressed in Australia?

Yes. The best-known 1973 Australian issue is a quadraphonic pressing, Harvest Q4 SHVLA.804, made by EMI (Australia).

Do the posters and stickers affect value?

A lot. A complete copy with both posters and both stickers is worth far more than the same record without them.

More Pink Floyd on vinyl

Read our guide to The Piper at the Gates of Dawn first pressings, or browse Pink Floyd vinyl at Heathen Records. Keep your copy in good shape with the right record sleeves.