Vinyl used to be the most common method of listening to music. Of course, the introduction of CDs changed all that. MP3s helped to dig the grave for both records and CDs. Now, vinyl is making a comeback among music collectors. Hundreds of new albums are released on vinyl each year.

To collectors, new albums aren’t as enticing as rare older albums. Some rare albums can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. They’re huge prizes for a collector to find. Here’s a look at some of the most valuable vinyl records in circulation.

1. The Beatles – Yesterday and Today - This album featured an extremely controversial sleeve when it was first released. The sleeve featured members of the Beatles in butcher’s smocks, covered in raw meat. Adding to the controversy were the heads of baby dolls, which created a very grim image overall. Paul McCartney had pushed for the album’s “butcher” sleeve, and the original vinyl pressing used this image. It was almost immediately recalled. These days, a high quality pressing of this vinyl record with the “butcher” cover can fetch almost $40,000. Less well maintained copies still sell for upwards of $200.

2. Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan – This vinyl record made a tremendous impact on Western music upon its release. Dylan’s poetic lyrics and simple production style launched the folk movement in 1963. It’s no surprise that copies of the original vinyl release are valued at $35,000. The rare vinyl release from CBS contains four tracks omitted from the official version. The most valuable version is in stereo. A similar mono release is valued at about half the cost of the stereo version.

3. The Velvet Underground & Nico – Self Titled - This Andy Warhol production is extremely rare in its original pressing. It’s in a plain sleeve, and some of the tracks are alternates from the official release. The Velvet Underground is often cited as a tremendous influence, especially by ’80s bands. This record went for $25,200 on eBay. It’s value may be much higher, though, as it’s appraised around $40,000.

4. Charlie Patton – Screamin’ and Hollerin’ – This vinyl by the blues legend was released on 78RPM record. It’s valued at about $11,550. It’s exceedingly rare, and only a few copies are known to exist.

5. The Quarrymen – That’ll Be The Day/In Spite Of All The Danger - A 78RPM vinyl record. The Quarrymen later became the Beatles, and this was their first recording. The only copy of the record is owned by Paul McCartney. Should he ever decide to sell it, it’s estimated to be worth about $180,000. A re-release of the single made in 1981 is worth about $25,000. Only twenty five copies were made for the re-release. The original version is the most valuable vinyl record in the world.

If you come across any of these albums at a local garage sale, buy them immediately. Be sure to send a portion of your new riches to the writer of this article and the maintainers of Edubook for helping you know the value.

This list is by no means complete. Know of other valuable vinyl records? Post in our comments section below.