These 15 Vintage CDs Are Fetching Eye-Watering Prices Today

Person browsing through a rack of CDs in a store. They are wearing a long-sleeved black top and their hair is tied back with a scrunchie. The background is blurred, focusing on the CDs and the person’s hands.
Charday Penn/istockphoto

Vinyl records have seen a recent resurgence, and a heightened sense of nostalgia has settled in for cassette tapes. But what about CDs? Turns out, CDs have made quite the comeback, with some selling for dazzling amounts among audiophiles and collectors. For those who held onto their old collections, a little trip down memory lane could yield a serious payday. Here are 15 vintage CDs that could be worth serious cash today.

1. The Beatles: ‘The Beatles in Mono’ (Box Set, 2009)

A collection of The Beatles albums and booklets spread out in front of a white box labeled "The Beatles in Mono." The albums have various colorful and iconic cover art, arranged fan-like in a semicircle.
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eBay

This limited-edition box set features the Beatles’ albums in their original mono mixes, as they were first released in the ‘60s. With only a few thousand copies ever made, the 12-count CD set has since become a collector’s dream. Brand new sets can easily sell for over $200, with autographed sets commanding much more.

2. Prince: ‘The Black Album’ (Original Pressing, 1994)

A black square CD case with a clear plastic cover. It appears blank, with no visible text or images. The spine is dark with a textured surface. The background is plain white.
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eBay

Originally shelved by Prince himself just days before its release in 1987, “The Black Album” is seen as one of the rarest CDs in his catalog. Released in limited quantities, the CD is considered a rare gem among collectors, with prices ranging from around $50 to over $150 for a single copy. Fun fact: Prince believed the album was “evil” and reportedly felt unwell while working on its many “dark themes.” But for collectors, the lore only adds to the album’s value.

3. Depeche Mode: ‘Music for the Masses’ (Limited Edition Box Set, 1987)

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eBay

This limited edition box set of “Music for the Masses” includes unique artwork and a series of collectible postcards handpicked by the band. Only a small number of these sets were released, making them a rarity among Depeche Mode fans. This set can sell for around $700 when complete and in good condition.

4. Queen: ‘Innuendo’ (Hollywood Records Promo, 1991)

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eBay

The promotional version of this Queen album by Hollywood Records is considered highly valuable due to its rarity and whimsical artwork. Promos were distributed in limited numbers, mainly for radio and music industry professionals. Serious fans of the band will pay top dollar for a well-preserved copy, with some selling for around $200 on sites like eBay.

5. The Smashing Pumpkins: ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’ (Limited Edition Box Set, 1995)

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eBay

This box set edition of “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” is a must-have for die-hard fans. Featuring exclusive artwork, lyric booklets, and rare prints, copies in excellent condition can fetch over $1,000.

6. Oasis: ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’ (UK Promo CD, 1995)

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eBay

The U.K. promo version of Oasis’s “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” album is another collector’s dream. These promotional CDs are valuable because they were issued in small batches with distinctive artwork and inserts for media use. Collectors and Oasis fans are willing to pay a premium (around $100 or more) for these rare copies, especially in mint condition.

7. The Cure: ‘Wish’ (Japanese First Pressing, 1992)

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eBay

The Japanese and Brazilian pressings of The Cure’s “Wish” are particularly valuable to collectors because of its unique OBI strip and exceptional sound quality. Only a limited number were released, making it a hot commodity among Cure collectors. Prices for this CD start at $200, and signed copies are worth much more.

8. Wu-Tang Clan: ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’ (Promo CD, 1993)

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eBay

Promotional CDs of “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” were issued in small quantities for radio and media use, making them highly sought-after among fans of the acclaimed band. The promo version, which includes exclusive tracks or alternate artwork, adds to its lasting appeal. Collectors are willing to pay over $1,000 to own this rare piece of hip-hop history.

9. Tool: ‘Aenima’ (Original Pressing, 1996)

Abstract image featuring a bright, glowing square in the center. Surrounding it are distorted, ghostly skull-like shapes, blending into the dark background, creating a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.
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eBay

Tool’s “Aenima” is a cult favorite in the world of heavy metal and rock, with the original pressing of the CD (featuring the whimsical lenticular cover) fetching higher prices due to its rarity and limited availability. Copies in excellent condition can sell for around $200 or more, with sealed versions commanding even higher prices.

10. Pearl Jam: ‘Ten’ (Japanese Disc Edition, 1991)

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eBay

The Japanese edition of Pearl Jam’s “Ten” album is revered for its top-tier audio mastering and unique artwork. With a limited release, it’s a treasured item among grunge music collectors. Depending on the condition and packaging, this CD typically sells for around $50 or more. But in rare cases, mint copies have been known to command much higher prices (as evidenced by this sealed copy selling for a whopping $10,000 on eBay).

11. Radiohead: ‘OK Computer’ (Special Edition, 1997)

Disco Gs
Disco Gs

This special edition of Radiohead’s “OK Computer” includes exclusive artwork, a hardcover book, and a bonus disc with rare tracks. Collectors prize it for its design and the rarity of the bonus content. A pristine copy can be valued at around $500.

12. Fleetwood Mac: ‘Rumours’ (West German Pressing Long Box, 1984)

Disco Gs
Disco Gs

This “Rumours” album pressing from West Germany is considered rare due to its unique sound quality and mixing. The early pressings are renowned for the album’s cover art, which features a young Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks. Depending on the condition, these CDs can be worth several hundred dollars, with signed copies of the album fetching much more.

13. Nirvana: ‘Nevermind’ (First Pressing, 1991)

Album cover for Nirvana's "Nevermind" featuring a baby swimming underwater towards a dollar bill on a hook. It includes a shoe on the case and a sticker listing songs: "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Come As You Are," and "Lithium.
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eBay

The first pressing of Nirvana’s acclaimed album “Nevermind,” which introduced hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Lithium,” and “Come As You Are,” is considered a holy grail for both grunge collectors and die-hard fans of Kurt Cobain. Early copies from 1991, especially those with the original artwork that feature the uncensored baby photo, are particularly valuable. Mint-condition first pressings can sell for close to a grand, with sealed copies fetching even higher prices.

14. David Bowie: ‘Outside’ (Promo CD with Alternate Artwork, 1995)

Abstract album cover of "1. Outside" by David Bowie. Features a blurred, painterly image of a person's face with closed eyes in soft colors, with the artist's name and album title in block letters at the top left.
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eBay

Promotional copies of David Bowie’s trippy “Outside” album featuring alternate artwork is another hot commodity for collectors. Distributed in small numbers to critics and radio stations, the album is considered an ultra-rare find. In good condition, a copy can sell for over $100, with sealed copies going for even more.

15. Michael Jackson: ‘Thriller’ (Japanese First Pressing, 1982)

CD of "Thriller" by Michael Jackson on a blue surface. The case is open, revealing the CD insert with track listings on the left, and the cover showing Michael Jackson in a white suit and black shirt on the right.
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eBay

The Japanese first pressing of “Thriller” is highly sought-after for its superior sound quality and unique packaging. Collectors are willing to pay hundreds of dollars (around $200) for a copy, especially if it includes the original OBI strip and inserts. If you happen to own a copy signed by Jackson, it can be worth a small fortune, with copies hovering around $15,000.

Author
Alina Wang

From Queens, New York, Alina has a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communications from CUNY Baruch and enjoys writing and creating content on a variety of topics, including lifestyle, politics, and, of course, wealth trends. Find her on X @atlasseventeen