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Data as of Jun 16, 2026
David Bowie – Low
1977 · UK · RCA · Vinyl LP Album Stereo
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Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Apr 30, 2026
- MMint
- $272.18
- NMNear Mint
- $243.53
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $186.23
- VGVery Good
- $128.93
- G+Good Plus
- $71.63
- GGood
- $42.98
- FFair
- $28.65
- PPoor
- $14.33
184 copies listed on Discogs from $17.65.
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- PL 12030 APL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ W A2H STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ W A1AK STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ W A2N STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ W A4W STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶2̶ W A2AO STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶2 W A3Z STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶2̶ W A3B STERLINGPX̶L 12030-A-1 W A1AV A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1 STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ A2Z W STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶ A2D W STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-ƻ W A2P STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1 A4K W STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ W A1R STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶ 2̶0̶3̶0̶ A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶2̶ W A1H STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶ 2̶0̶3̶0̶ A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-2 W A2T STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ W A1N STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ A2E W STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ W A1AI STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶-̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶A-̶2̶ A3T STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶-̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶A-̶2̶ W A1AG STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1 W A1W STERLINGPxL 12030-A-1 W A1AY A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1 STERLINGPxL 12030-A-1 W A1AE A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1 STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶2̶ W A3G STERLINGPL 12030-A A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶1 W A1F STERLINGPL 12030-A A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶2 W A3U STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶ A4I W STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶2̶ W A1E STERLINGPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ ̶ ̶R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ A̶-̶2 W A3T STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶1 STERLING A3F WPL 12030-A-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶2̶ W A3P STERLINGPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶1 STERLING A4H WPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶1 STERLING W AIXPL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶1 STERLING A2 A WPL 12030-A-1 W A1Z A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶A̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶A̶-̶1 STERLING
- Runout — side B
- PL 12030 BPL 12030-B-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶1̶ A1J W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2̶ A5O W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2̶ A2X W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B̶-̶2̶ A6H W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B̶-̶2̶ A5G W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2̶ A4W W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B̶-̶2̶ A6B W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2 A2H W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B-̶2 A30 W STERLINGPL 12030-B-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B-̶1̶ A1L1 STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B-̶2 A2AM STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2 A6J W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶1̶ A5B W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶-̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B̶-̶2̶ A1P W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶-̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B̶-̶2̶ A2A W STERLINGPL 12030-B-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-1̶ W A1H STERLINGPL 12030-B-1 A1O A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶1̶ W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶-̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B̶-̶2̶ A2AS W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶-̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B-̶2̶ A6F STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶-̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B-̶2̶ A2AX STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2 A2J W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2 A6E W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-B̶-̶2 AZAC STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-B̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶B̶-̶2̶ A6E W STERLINGPL 12030-B A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶B R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶B-̶1 W A1F STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-B̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶B̶-̶2̶ \\ A6G W STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2̶ A4U W STERLINGPL 12030-B A̶P̶L̶1̶-̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B-̶1 W A1E STERLINGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶-2̶ A4T W STERLINGPL 12030-B-1 A/B A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶B R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶B-̶1 STERLING WPL 12030-B-2 ̶A̶P̶L̶1̶-̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ ̶R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶-̶B̶-̶2̶ A6F STERLING WPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶B R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶B-̶2 STERLING W AIAGPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶B R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶B-̶2 A1AH STERLING WPL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶ ̶B R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶ ̶B-̶2 A 3B W STERLING
- Pressing Plant ID
- W(Runouts)
- Price Code
- ZZ
- Other
- (CPL1 2030)(Labels)
- Manufactured By
- RCA Ltd.
- Printed By
- Garrodprint Ltd.
- Made By
- Garrodprint Ltd.
- Recorded At
- Le Château D'Hérouville
- Recorded At
- Hansa Tonstudios
- Mixed At
- Hansa Tonstudios
- Lacquer Cut At
- Sterling Sound
- Pressed By
- RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK
Specifications
- Artist
- David Bowie
- Genre
- Electronic, Rock
- Style
- Art Rock, Ambient, Experimental
- Year
- 1977
- Label
- RCA, RCA Victor
- Catalog number
- PL 12030
- Country
- UK
Tracklist
- A1Speed Of Life
- A2Breaking Glass
- A3What In The World
- A4Sound And Vision
- A5Always Crashing In The Same Car
- A6Be My Wife
- A7A New Career In A New Town
- B1Warszawa
- B2Art Decade
- B3Weeping Wall
- B4Subterraneans
- Producer
- David Bowie
- Producer
- Tony Visconti
- Arranged By
- Brian Eno
- Arranged By
- David Bowie
- Design [Uncredited]
- George Underwood
About this record
The matrix runout PL 12030-A-1 stamped at RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK identifies this 1977 UK pressing of Low, where STERLING appears etched in the dead wax alongside deliberately scratched-out catalogue digits. Demand significantly outpaces supply: 6011 collectors want this pressing against 16333 who own one, yet only 184 copies are listed for sale across the market.
The price spread from Mint at 272.18 USD down to Poor at 14.33 USD reflects how condition dominates value on this art rock landmark.
What drives its value
The 1977 UK RCA pressing PL 12030 commands a Mint price of 272.18 USD, dropping to 243.53 USD in Near Mint and 186.23 USD in VG+, with a floor of 128.93 USD for VG copies. The lowest asking price across 184 active listings is 17.65 USD, indicating heavy wear dominates the secondhand pool.
Community data shows 16333 have-it against 6011 want-it, a ratio suggesting moderate scarcity rather than rarity. As the original UK release on RCA (catalogue PL 12030), this pressing holds value over later reissues, though the wide Mint-to-VG+ spread of 272.18 to 186.23 USD means even lightly played copies retain substantial worth.
The STERLING pressing plant mark and etched runout matrix distinguish this from other 1977 variants and support collector demand.
How to appraise this pressing
Verify this pressing by the catalogue number PL 12030 printed on the RCA Victor label; the sleeve reads RCA but labels state RCA Victor. Examine the matrix runout etched into the dead wax: Side A reads PL 12030-A-1 with STERLING and deliberate scratches obscuring earlier digits, while Side B reads PL 12030-B-1 with identical treatment.
The pressing plant attribution to RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK is confirmed by STERLING and the etched matrix format. The 12-inch paper insert with credits and orange sticker listing tracks on the rear cover are original to this variant.
Inner sleeves show printer run dates of 12/76, 11/76, or 2/77 depending on stock; the generic white die-cut sleeve is standard. Grade by examining the vinyl surface under light: Mint (272.18 USD) shows no marks; NM (243.53 USD) permits only light dust; VG+ (186.23 USD) allows light surface noise; VG (128.93 USD) shows audible but not heavy wear.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
Issued with a 12" paper insert with credits; most copies with an orange sticker with the track list on rear cover.
Published by: A1 to A6, B4 Bewlay Bros. S.A.R.L./Fleur Music. B1 Bewlay Bros. S.A.R.L./Fleur Music/E.G. Music Ltd. A7, B2, B3 Bewlay Bros. S.A.R.L./Chrysalis Music Ltd./Fleur Music.
Recorded at The Chateau and Hansa By The Wall. Mixed at Hansa By The Wall. Cover photo from 'The Man Who Fell to Earth', a Cinema 5 release.
RCA on sleeve, RCA Victor on labels. (CPL1 2030) appears as reference on labels only.
Initial copies included a small black and white pamphlet advertising the official David Bowie Fan Club and back catalogue. Generic white die-cut inner sleeve of the Variant 1 shows printer run date 12/76. Copies also exist with printer run date of 11-76 upon initial release. Variant 19, 27 and 32 has an inner sleeve date 2-77.
NB. The sticker shown in the photos here "Featuring the hit single Sound and Vision", would not have appeared on initial copies and not until at least later in February when the single was released and charted in the UK.
The two different fonts used for catalogue numbers on the fan club leaflet is due to RCA England using a US original leaflet as the basis - UK catalogue numbers which differ from the US numbers are shown in a different font to those where the US and UK catalogue numbers are the same (see the leaflet image of 59734).
Less noticeable is the rescan (of the US cover) in the very top RH corner - the area where the US catalogue number appeared has been "shaded in". There is the faint outline of a rectangular section where this has been performed.
Runouts are etched except STERLING. Many of the letters/numbers are scratched out.
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Frequently asked
How do I confirm this is the original 1977 UK pressing and not a reissue?
Check the label for RCA Victor and catalogue number PL 12030. Examine the matrix etched in the dead wax: the original UK pressing shows PL 12030-A-1 and PL 12030-B-1 with STERLING and scratched-out digits. Reissues use different pressing plants and matrix formats. The 12-inch paper insert with credits and the orange sticker on the rear cover are original to 1977 copies.
What is a VG+ copy worth, and how does it compare to lower grades?
A VG+ copy is valued at 186.23 USD according to the price guide. In VG condition, the value drops to 128.93 USD; in G+, it falls to 71.63 USD. The jump from VG+ to VG represents a significant loss, making condition assessment critical on this pressing.
Why do some inner sleeves have different printer dates?
Generic white die-cut inner sleeves were printed in batches: some show 12/76, others 11/76 on initial release, and later stock shows 2/77. These dates reflect manufacturing runs, not pressing variants, and do not affect the vinyl itself or its value.
What does STERLING in the runout mean?
STERLING etched in the dead wax indicates the pressing plant was RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK. This plant attribution is specific to certain 1977 UK pressings and helps distinguish them from other variants pressed at RCA Ltd. or Garrodprint Ltd.
Why is the lowest asking price only 17.65 USD when VG copies are worth 128.93 USD?
The 184 copies currently for sale include heavily damaged stock grading Poor (14.33 USD) or Fair (28.65 USD). The lowest price of 17.65 USD reflects the market floor for worn copies; it does not represent typical value. A VG copy at 128.93 USD or better requires careful inspection and is far less common in the active sales pool.