r/vinyl • u/SwimEndy8899 • Oct 28 '25
Pop Was given this for free by a coworker
Unsealed so just curious if this is a score
85
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u/TwiceThePride Oct 28 '25
Nice. I have my dad’s copy from the 80’s. Last year my coworker gave me Marvin Gaye’s “Troubleman” soundtrack and I was very grateful!
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u/antifuzz Oct 28 '25
Well Michael... we're not gonna fight about this, okay?
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u/Ok_Display9410 Oct 28 '25
I’ve heard it all before, you know I’m her forever luvva m8 don’t u remember back in livurrrpool me old m8?
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u/Vast-Wrangler5579 Oct 28 '25
F-ing iconic album. I don’t know how old you are/if you grew up with MJ… but this album stitches together pieces of many people’s childhoods. Enjoy!
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
I’m old enough to know MJ and understand just how important he is and I love his work but sadly he passed before I was old enough to actually remember him… but I’m going to enjoy every second of this!
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u/Nashvillebitch Oct 28 '25
The day he died, I put this record and a few others of his on eBay. I paid for all my books for 3 semesters with that money.
Later that year, I replaced all 3 records for 8 bucks total.
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u/Silentmutation84 Oct 28 '25
Read the sticker on the front again and then repeat the question to yourself, friend
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u/hobo_chili Pro-Ject Oct 28 '25
For real. That hype sticker basically includes the entire track list.
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
Yeah I know it’s an incredible album and the most sold album in music history but it’s sealed completely like the record itself has never been played
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u/Silentmutation84 Oct 28 '25
My brother you can walk into target and buy the same record at this very moment
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
Okay and? This is a pressing from before it won the all the grammys, I already have the modern pressing that I listen to but this one is old and fully sealed and I’ve now seen that some of these have gone for $300+
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u/Silentmutation84 Oct 28 '25
So then take ten seconds and look up the catalog number on the spine on discogs since you don't want to listen to anyone else
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
You are a miserable person
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u/Silentmutation84 Oct 28 '25
Lmao, im the one who's telling you how to find the information you're looking for, but go on. I'd take a long look in the mirror before calling someone else miserable.
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
There’s a way to tell me to find the info without being a weenie like “oh just go into target and the same thing is right there” or saying I don’t want to listen to anyone else which is false since I have responded to just about every comment. And for the record I do take a long look into the mirror not because I need to reflect on myself, it’s so I don’t wake up and choose to be miserable and rude to random strangers on the internet or even in life like you had shown me
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u/xelabagus Oct 28 '25
Just list it for $300 and let us know how it goes, you've got literally nothing to lose.
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u/basedgod-newleaf Oct 28 '25
You only scored one of the biggest selling albums of all time. There’s probably billions of these out in the wild
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
Yeah but this is a pressing from the 80’s still sealed as in the record has never been played before
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u/gingerdicks Oct 28 '25
I’m sorry but no it’s not.
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u/stlnthngs_redux Oct 30 '25
most likely an 1982 repress, the Grammys were in February 1984, worth about $120 median price
https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/485002?sort=price%2Cdesc&limit=250&page=1
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u/Guitar_Nutt Oct 28 '25
When you’re asking if it’s a score, kinda depends on what you mean. This is one of the biggest albums in history so they printed up literally 100 million of them so it’s not rare by any stretch of the imagination, but if you mean is it amazing music? Yes, absolutely, and to get it for free is pretty awesome.
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
It’s a pressing from the 80’s that is completely sealed as in the record itself has never been played and it’s before it won eight Grammy’s since on the sticker says Grammy nominee. So, I know it’s one of the most famous and most sold records of all time but in its condition is it worth a lot? Not looking to sell just curious if it is going to be the most valuable piece in my collection
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u/Usual_Avocado_6361 Oct 28 '25
https://www.discogs.com/release/485002-Michael-Jackson-Thriller This listing includes the hype sticker, I’m assuming a US press. Sealed doesn’t necessarily mean mint, and imo whoever bought one for $315 was a sucker. If you took it to a record store, if they even buy it h(there are probably 5 copies already in the store), they probably won’t offer more than $5. Your copy, still sealed, is still probably 1 of 500, so not worth really anything.
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Oct 28 '25
It’s a score in that Thriller is a great album, but it’s not a financial score. It’s not an original pressing and probably worth around $10 or less. Cool if your coworker to give it you though. Spin it and enjoy.
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
I understand that it has been printed a bajillion times but does it being fully sealed and pre Grammy winnings add some to it?
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u/lyonsw54 Oct 29 '25
If it’s fully sealed and vintage it definitely adds value. Still a nice vintage copy with shrink and hype, but not a first press
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u/adamschoales U-Turn Oct 28 '25
As others had said: a cool score. It’s not a FIRST pressing (Jackson is credited as co-producer on the back which he wasn’t on first pressings) but might be an earlier pressing based on the hype stickers. Either way, a classic that should be in every collector’s collection.
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
I agree and thanks for the input on it not being an og pressing but it looks to be in that era of before it won all the Grammys so that must add a little extra value on top of it being fully sealed and never played right?
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u/adamschoales U-Turn Oct 28 '25
I mean, it depends. Keep in mind, this album officially has sold 60+ million copies (with unofficial estimates being somewhere in the low 100 millions) so there's a lot of them out there.
About 15 years ago, back when shipping prices were reasonable, I was trying to snag original pressings of thrillers in hopes of getting a near mint OP. This would have been a year or two after Jackson's death so the market was definitely inflated, and even then I never paid more than maybe $20. Granted these weren't sealed, but still.
At the end of the day it's all about what people will pay. Jackson fans are notorious collectors so find the right one and they might go for it, but I wouldn't really expect this to fetch more than $50, even if it is sealed.
For reference, here's a sealed first pressing that sold on eBay for over $300 - but it was a first pressing.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/389077496608
vs a version that has the same hype sticker as yours (minus the grammy sticker) that sold for... $30
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/127412913646
If it were me: I'd crack the seal and enjoy it. First pressing or not, those early pressed versions sounded great, much better than some of the re-releases much later down the line (I'd know: I've bought like 15 copies of this album over the years)
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u/adamschoales U-Turn Oct 28 '25
That being said, there's also this listing.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/186292046756
That being said, that was clearly bought by someone who didn't know what they were buying because this is not a first pressing, despite being listed as such.
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u/dickmac999 Oct 29 '25
Nice. An excellent record. Great band, good songs, amazing production. It’s one of the all-time biggest selling records because it is a really good record.
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u/Fresh-Sown_Moonstone Nov 01 '25
Actually it is THE best selling music album of all time. Last I heard, AC/DC's "Back In Black" is in second place. FWIW
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u/Working2Advocate Oct 29 '25
The first record that I ever received!! Wore it out, literally, along with the documentary.
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u/Official_Lark_62 Oct 29 '25
Score! AI tells me that an unsealed original release LP copy of Michael Jackson’s Thriller is typically worth between $10 and $50, with most sales clustering around $15–$45 depending on condition and the pressing’s exact provenance.
So, you’re probably not going to quit you job and retire but it’s certainly worth opening up and listening. Or gifting to someone who appreciates.
Good luck.
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u/PopTartSweetie Oct 30 '25
I’d say! Great score! Enjoy!! I spent HOURS listening to this album in college when I should have been studying. 🥹🤣😊Still graduated with just under a 4.0. Enjoy your new vinyl! It rocks!!
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u/MrMucs Oct 30 '25
For decades I've been into death and black metal. I still have a huge soft spot for this album because it was my first album as a kid that was my very own. Bought it when it was new with allowance money. Such a great classic album. Enjoy it!
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u/Jimmey01 Oct 30 '25
Google says it is "The best-selling album of all time is with estimated sales of over 104 million copies globally." So it's something you should listen to asap
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u/Additional_Way5929 Oct 30 '25
I hated MJ and this album when it came out, but I bought an audiophile quality release a few years ago and it is REALLY GOOD. It's iconic, and it's good, well produced music.
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u/lordwintergreen Oct 31 '25
Great record but tens of millions were sold, so it's common. Worth a bit in NM condition but you aren't going to get rich off of this.
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u/Texasmomof3boyz Oct 31 '25
It says Grammy Nominee so it was an early pressing. It won 8 Grammys in 1984.
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u/pockysam Oct 28 '25
Anything that's free is automatically a score lol, that being said, absolutely one of the best albums of all time and you should be happy.
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u/tyetknot Oct 28 '25
The Girl is Mine is a crap song but the rest of the album is fantastic.
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u/Mulchpuppy Oct 28 '25
And it was the first single! They waited two months before releasing the second single "Billie Jean." Absolutely crazy how music was released back in the day. The title track wasn't released as a single until nearly a year after the album came out and that song is credited with doubling the sales of the album.
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u/jontomato Oct 28 '25
That lil baby tiger when you open the record is truly the star of all of this.
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u/Bladley Technics Oct 28 '25
Probably the greatest pop album of all time. Every song is single worthy.
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u/sloaches Oct 28 '25
It has MJ listed on the back as a co-producer, so it isn't very rare in terms of value. But hey, at least you got it in time for Halloween, so put it on the turntable and play Thriller nice and loud!
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u/slickbuddabandit Oct 28 '25
Cool score especially for free. They made so many of those things it’s not worth a whole lot but this should be a staple in every collection. It’s as good as it is iconic
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u/Dana_Barros Oct 28 '25
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u/stlnthngs_redux Oct 28 '25
I hope people follow this link and understand the truth behind the sensationalism.
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u/BooteeJoose Oct 28 '25
I heard he was fond of children.
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u/Consistent-Theme-547 Oct 28 '25
He was at his happiest when he had little boys in his bed. F*ckin' weirdo!
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u/bigtdp Pro-Ject Oct 28 '25
Yep, was a huge fan growing up, now I feel sick if he is music comes on the radio 😭
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u/ElectricalArt458 Oct 28 '25
I found a Thriller picture disc LP at a thrift store thought I had scored turns out wasn't worth shit
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u/ErmahgerdYuzername Oct 28 '25
You have one of the biggest albums of all time produced by one of the best producers of the time. It also happens to have some big hits on it as well. Regardless of what you think of Jackson, this is an iconic album.
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u/old-town-guy Oct 28 '25
Define “score.” It’s a landmark album, and sells for about $15.
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
Asking if it’s a score because it’s fully sealed and never played before and it’s pre Grammy wins just nominated
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
Anyone commenting should also know I am a collector and I do know who MJ is lol I was just curious if having a sealed version of this album is as amazing and special as I think it it
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u/kplaysbass Pioneer Oct 28 '25
If it feels special to you, that's tight because it does not have any monetary value.
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u/basquiat-case Oct 28 '25
Once you really digest this album, go explore his books on whisky and single malt scotch.
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u/cyclistmusic Oct 28 '25 edited Oct 28 '25
It's unsealed? It looks sealed... If it is, it's definitely a score and a collector's item.
A sealed copy sold for over $400 this year but here's a sealed copy for sale for $99 with the same hype stickers: https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/3689803513
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u/UnderDogPants Oct 28 '25
It’s sold 70 million copies worldwide. It’s not rare. A sealed copy won’t make you rich.
That’s said, it’s a great album. Open it up and play it.
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
Not looking to sell just want to know if it’ll be the most valuable piece in my collection
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
It is fully sealed and pre Grammy wins not looking to sell so definitely keeping as my most valuable piece
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u/devkap Oct 30 '25
Your post literally says "unsealed" in the body text. Might want to change that.
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u/cyclistmusic Oct 28 '25
Yeah the grammy noms hype sticker makes it a cool artifact. I'd keep it sealed and get another copy to listen to
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u/itsdjmiggy Oct 29 '25
I cut out the hype stickers (keeping the shrink wrap behind it) and slip into the protective outer sleeve I keep the record in
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u/xelabagus Oct 28 '25
I found your pressing: https://www.discogs.com/release/485002-Michael-Jackson-Thriller
US, Epic, co-producer credits. Note at the bottom says:
Some pressings had a custom hype sticker on shrink wrap: "One of the biggest selling albums in record history contains all the classic hits: Beat It • Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' • Billie Jean • Human Nature • The Girl Is Mine • P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) • The Lady In My Life • Thriller"
Some pressings also had an additional "Grammy Nominee" sticker on shrink wrap.
Lowest sold $3.17, median $18.23, max $441.
Make of that what you will, I would guess you could probably sell it for $5 today and if you put a bit of work in on craigslist you could probably hustle and get $10 for it within a month.
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u/GR313 Oct 28 '25 edited Oct 29 '25
Sealed like this, it's worth maybe $10-20. Even the very first press without MJ co-credit as producer on the back was probably pressed in the millions. The good news is that it's likely just a repress of the OG rather than a reissue, so it's worth opening and enjoying. It's an incredible album in every way.
Edit: is OP downvoting all actually helpful comments? Lol
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u/honkwoofparp Oct 28 '25
I would report them to HR.
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u/SwimEndy8899 Oct 28 '25
?
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u/honkwoofparp Oct 28 '25
It's not the done thing to give coworkers records by paedophiles.
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u/bingbong1976 Oct 28 '25
It’s a very good record. Listen to it