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Top Green Day Vinyl Records Every Collector Must Have

Top Green Day Vinyl Records Every Collector Must Have

Did you know that an artist who would eventually sell over 75 million albums began with humble, independent releases between 1989 and 1994, before signing with a major label? Green Day, one of the most popular rock bands of a generation, released a fascinating array of LPs and EPs during this period, many of which remain lesser-known gems. Notably, from 1989-1990, Green Day released several EPs on 7-inch vinyl in various colors through Lookout! Records, something we’ll explore in greater detail in a future article.

Green Day’s Vinyl Debut: 1,000 Hours (1989)

Green Day’s vinyl debut, the 1,000 Hours 7-inch EP, is another highly collectible release. This EP was pressed in multiple vinyl colors and insert combinations, with the green and blue vinyl variants being especially notable. Approximately 600 green copies and 200 blue copies were pressed, both featuring the Laytonville address on the cover. The clear vinyl variant, however, is exceedingly rare.

These early pressings rarely appear on the market and, when they do, typically sell for $200-$400, depending on condition. For collectors, 1,000 Hours represents an essential piece of Green Day’s early history.

Green Day’s First LP: 39/Smooth (1990)

Green Day’s first full-length album, 39/Smooth, was released on April 13, 1990, by Lookout! Records. The initial pressing included 800 copies on green vinyl, accompanied by a double-sided insert. This first pressing, available in both black and green vinyl, features the Laytonville, CA address on the back cover. In contrast, later pressings display a Berkeley, CA address, making it easy to differentiate a 1990 pressing from subsequent releases.

On Discogs, the green vinyl pressing is highly sought after, with 1,300 collectors wanting it and only 217 owning it. Depending on its condition, this album typically sells for $250-$600, with recent sales closer to $500 due to its rarity. Its release on a small, independent label and the limited green vinyl variant make it a valuable and iconic collectible.

Dookie (1994)

When Green Day made their major-label debut with Dookie in 1994, the album brought pop-punk into the mainstream, selling over 20 million copies worldwide. Among the most collectible variants of Dookie is the German release, a limited-edition green vinyl pressing. This version was restricted to 10,000 individually numbered copies worldwide and featured dark green translucent vinyl.

Each record came with a unique number printed on a sticker, alongside the Green Day and Dookie logos. However, this release omitted an insert. Adding to its intrigue, the album’s back cover originally included an image of Ernie from Sesame Street as a puppet on someone’s hand. After legal threats from Sesame Street, this design was banned, and subsequent editions excluded Ernie. This rare variant, often identified by a large green hype sticker on the front cover, sells for $300-$700 depending on condition.

Final Thoughts

While Green Day has released many other iconic albums, these three releases 39/Smooth, Dookie, and 1,000 Hours stand out as the most collectible, offering significant value and upside for vinyl enthusiasts. Good luck tracking these treasures down, and happy collecting!


Check out episode 14 of Vintage Media Grading–The Podcast by pressing the “play” button above.

To learn more about having your collectible vinyl records graded and encapsulated, including slab preparation services, visit us at VMGvinyl.com

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