Cassette tapes, once thought to be a relic of the past, have experienced a resurgence among collectors, with some even reaching eye-watering prices.
Despite the prevalence of digital streaming, tapes have become highly sought after, particularly for their nostalgic value, unique packaging, and rarity. Whether it’s a demo from an emerging band, a limited-edition release, or an obscure treasure from a famous artist, cassettes continue to attract collectors willing to pay top dollar for that perfect addition to their collection.
Here, we’ve compiled the top 13 most expensive cassettes ever sold on Discogs. While these particular cassettes might not be readily available today, collectors can still add them to their Wantlists on Discogs for the chance to snag them when they resurface.
If you’re interested in the entire list, including some very obscure releases, you can read about all 25 on Discogs’ website.
7. Boards of Canada - Boc Maxima (1996)
Boc Maxima is a mixtape from the influential electronic duo Boards of Canada that last sold on Discogs for £1,283.02. Highly coveted by collectors, it contains rare, unreleased tracks that have helped solidify their legacy in ambient and IDM music. | Warp/Discogs
8. Various Artist - De La Viande Pour Le Disco
This experimental release, known for its eclectic mix of genres, combines quirky soundscapes with the unexpected, making it a standout for collectors of rare and obscure music. Featuring the likes of God Is My Co-Pilot (pictured), a copy of the tape last sold for £1,250.89. | Getty Images/Discogs
9. Celine Dion - Opération Beurre de Pinottes (1985)
Before becoming a global sensation, Celine Dion’s early releases include Opération Beurre de Pinottes, an obscure, French-language cassette that stands as an interesting piece of her musical journey. A copy last sold for £1,220.71. | Getty/Discogs
10. Eminem - Tracks From The Slim Shady EP (1997)
This rare cassette contains tracks from Eminem’s early Slim Shady EP, offering a glimpse into his formative years before the rise to fame that would define his career. If you're after a copy, the last time one sold on Discogs went for £1,138.99. | Getty/Discogs
11. Phish - Phish (1987)
Phish’s 1987 release on cassette tape captures the band in their early years, blending progressive rock with improvisational jams. The tape sold for £1,016.39 when one was last made available from a collector. | Getty/Discogs
12. Nirvana - Demo (1990)
This demo tape from Nirvana offers an intimate look at their early recordings before the band’s breakthrough with Nevermind. It’s a rare collector’s item for fans of the grunge pioneers that would have cost me £974.51 to buy, given the Nirvana fan that I am. | Getty/Discogs