In the late 1950s and through the 1960s, many albums were released in both mono and stereo versions. They often had different catalog numbers, and sometimes different mixes.
How to tell which you have
- Look for "Mono," "Monaural," "Stereo" or "Stereophonic" on the front cover, back cover and label.
- Compare the catalog number: labels often used a different prefix or number for stereo.
- Check the runout etchings, which usually differ between versions.
Which is worth more?
It depends on the album. For many 1960s rock and pop records, mono was the main release and stereo came later or sold less, and collectors often prefer the original mono mix. For some jazz and orchestral recordings, early stereo pressings are the more sought-after version. As stereo took over in the late '60s, mono versions of some late titles were pressed in small numbers, which can make them rare.
Condition still matters most
A rare mono copy in poor condition can be worth less than a clean stereo copy. See our grading guide, or send photos and we'll tell you which you have.