VinylAI 
Data as of Jun 16, 2026
Queen – Greatest Hits
1981 · UK · EMI · Vinyl LP Compilation Stereo
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Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Jun 9, 2026
- MMint
- $40.79
- NMNear Mint
- $36.49
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $27.91
- VGVery Good
- $19.32
- G+Good Plus
- $10.73
- GGood
- $6.44
- FFair
- $4.29
- PPoor
- $2.15
129 copies listed on Discogs from $1.58.
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
- EMTV30 AEMTV 30 A-13-1- 1 DEMTV 30 A - 8EMTV 30 A - 9EMTV 30 A - 3EMTV 30 A - 5EMTV 30 A - 1 3 1 3 8E MTV 30 A - 7 1 6 8 2EMTV 30 A-8 428 1EMTV 30 A-10-1-2-1EMTV 30 A-7EMTV 30 A-1 YEMTV 30 A-1 3EMTV 30 A-1 X 3EMTV 30 A-1 1 2E MTV 30 A - 7 199EMTV 30 A-1 142EMTV 30 A-1 2 27EMTV 30 A - 3 1 2 4EMTV 30 A - 1 X 3EMTV 30 A-7 317 1EMTV 30 A-1 2 9EMTV 30 A - 7 2 219EMTV 30 A -1 7 2 2EMTV 30 A-1 37 2
- Runout — side B
- EMTV30 BEMTV 30 B-10C-1-2 DEMTV 30 B - 7EMTV 30 B - 6EMTV 30 B - 1EMTV 30 B - 3EMTV 30 B - 1 1 1 3 9EMTV 30 B - 8 2 4 7 2EMTV 30 B-6 393 3EMTV 30 B-7EMTV 30 B-6EMTV 30 B-8 :EMTV 30 B-8 1EMTV 30 B-8EMTV 30 B-1 4 5EMTV 30 B-8 1E MTV 30 B - 1 191EMTV 30 B-1 47EMTV 30 B - 1 58EMTV 30 B - 3 : 1 4 0 1EMTV 30 B - 8 Y 1EMTV 30 B-6 330 3EMTV 30 B-1 3 4EMTV 30 B - 1 2 12EMTV 30 B -1 5 8 1EMTV 30 B-1 138
- Other
- TM 81 10 GL(Sleeve, date printed, company)
- Manufactured By
- EMI Records Ltd.
- Pressed By
- EMI Records
- Record Company
- EMI Records Ltd.
- Printed By
- Garrod & Lofthouse
- Made By
- Trademasters Ltd
Specifications
- Artist
- Queen
- Style
- Arena Rock, Hard Rock, Pop Rock, Classic Rock, Rock & Roll, Glam
- Year
- 1981
- Label
- EMI
- Catalog number
- EMTV30
- Country
- UK
Tracklist
- A1Bohemian Rhapsody5:50
- A2Another One Bites The Dust2:32
- A3Killer Queen2:58
- A4Fat Bottomed Girls3:16
- A5Bicycle Race2:57
- A6You're My Best Friend2:48
- A7Don't Stop Me Now3:25
- A8Save Me3:44
- B1Crazy Little Thing Called Love2:40
- B2Somebody To Love4:51
- B3Now I'm Here4:10
- B4Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy2:52
- B5Play The Game3:21
- B6Flash2:45
- B7Seven Seas Of Rhye2:45
- B8We Will Rock You2:00
- B9We Are The Champions2:57
- Engineer, Co-producer
- Mack
- Producer
- Brian May
- Producer
- Mack
- Producer
- Queen
- Producer
- Roy Thomas Baker
- Producer [Assistant]
- Mike Stone
About this record
The UK pressing of Queen's Greatest Hits (catalogue EMTV30, 1981) carries matrix runouts etched by EMI Records Ltd. and Trademasters Ltd., distinguishing it from the simultaneous US Elektra release (5E-564) and later reissues from 2016 onward. With 5275 collectors actively seeking this title against 19165 who own one, demand remains steady but the market is saturated—129 copies currently for sale push the lowest asking price down to 1.58 USD, yet a Mint copy commands 40.79 USD.
What drives its value
Condition drives the entire price spread on this 1981 UK pressing. A Mint copy reaches 40.79 USD, while NM drops to 36.49 USD, VG+ settles at 27.91 USD, and VG falls to 19.32 USD—a steep cliff that reflects how wear on the grooves and sleeve affects desirability.
The original UK EMI pressing holds its value better than the 2016 Virgin EMI reissue or the 2020 Hollywood Records version, both of which trade far below these figures. With 129 copies listed for sale and a want-to-have ratio of 5275 to 19165, this is a common record; buyers should expect to negotiate below asking price.
The 17-track compilation, pressed across EMI and Trademasters plants, remains a gateway Queen album rather than a rarity.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number EMTV30 on the front cover and spine. The matrix runouts on the dead wax read EMTV30 A and EMTV30 B on the labels themselves; deeper inspection reveals EMTV 30 A-13-1- 1 D and EMTV 30 B-10C-1-2 D etched into the vinyl.
The pressing plant stamps vary—EMI Records Ltd. and Trademasters Ltd. both appear on original 1981 UK copies. The inner sleeve has rounded corners and carries no barcode on the back, a hallmark of the original issue.
Grade by examining the vinyl surface under light for hairline scratches and the sleeve for creasing or seam splits; the absence of a barcode and the printed inner sleeve are authentication markers, not condition indicators. Play-test to confirm groove integrity, as many copies show light surface noise from storage.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Release notes
Issued with a printed inner sleeve with rounded corners. No barcode on the back of the sleeve.
Manufactured in the UK.
Publishers: A1, A3, A6, B3, B7: Trident Music A2, A4, A5, A7-B2, B4, B5, B8, B9: Queen Music Ltd./ EMI Music Publishing Ltd. B6: Queen Music Ltd./ Wide Music Inc./ EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
A1, A6: (P) 1975 Queen Productions Ltd. A2, A8, B5: (P) 1980 Raincloud Productions Ltd A3: (P) 1974 Queen A4, A5, A7: (P) 1978 Raincloud Productions Ltd. B1: (P) 1979 Raincloud Productions Ltd. B2, B4: (P) 1976 Queen Productions Ltd. B3, B7: (P) 1974 Queen B6: (P) 1980 Queen Productions Ltd./Starling Productions Ltd B8, B9: (P) 1977 Queen Productions Ltd. This compilation (P) 1981 EMI Records Ltd.
Runouts: Variant 12's 'Y' and Variants 14 & 16's 'X 3' are etched.
Durations do not appear on this release.
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Other pressings of this release
Different editions of the same album — pressing decides value.
Frequently asked
What is the price difference between a Mint and VG copy of this UK pressing?
A Mint copy is valued at 40.79 USD according to the price guide, while a VG copy sits at 19.32 USD. The gap reflects the sensitivity of 1981 vinyl to handling and storage; even light play leaves visible marks that collectors penalize heavily. These are estimates as of the guide's last update and assume no barcode loss or sleeve damage.
How do I tell the UK EMI pressing from the US Elektra version?
The UK pressing carries catalogue EMTV30 (or the alternate 0C 062-78 041) on EMI; the US pressing is marked 5E-564 on Elektra. The UK inner sleeve has rounded corners and no barcode on the back. Matrix runouts on the UK pressing read EMTV30 A and EMTV30 B; US copies show different etchings. The pressing plants also differ—UK copies list EMI Records Ltd. or Trademasters Ltd., while US copies were pressed elsewhere.
Is this the original 1981 release or a reissue?
This is the original 1981 UK pressing. Later reissues include a 2016 Virgin EMI Records version (barcode 0602557048414) and a 2020 Hollywood Records US pressing (D003654901). The 1981 original is identifiable by the rounded-corner inner sleeve, the absence of a barcode, and the specific matrix etchings (EMTV 30 A-13-1- 1 D and EMTV 30 B-10C-1-2 D).
Why is a VG+ copy worth 27.91 USD when 129 copies are for sale at 1.58 USD?
The 1.58 USD figure represents the absolute lowest asking price in the current market—likely a heavily played or damaged copy. The price guide values reflect typical market rates for each condition grade; VG+ at 27.91 USD assumes a clean, playable record with minimal surface noise and an intact sleeve. Most of the 129 listings are probably priced below guide value due to condition issues, storage wear, or seller urgency.
Does this pressing have a barcode?
No. The UK 1981 pressing has no barcode on the back of the sleeve, a detail that confirms originality. Later reissues, including the 2016 Virgin EMI version, carry barcodes. The absence of a barcode is one of the easiest ways to distinguish the original from reissues when examining a copy in hand.