Counterfeit Guide
Pink Floyd — The Dark Side of the Moon
SHVL 804 (UK) / SMAS-11163 (US)
Last updated June 4, 2026
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As a dedicated fake vinyl detection tool built on expert vinyl record authentication, Vinyl Guard can detect fake vinyl records through photo-based vinyl counterfeit detection — making this dedicated fake vinyl detector the fastest way to check your Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon.
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UK original on Harvest SHVL 804; US original on Capitol/Harvest SMAS-11163. The Harvest label is black with the harvest logo in orange. Gatefold sleeve, two posters, and two stickers included in original copies. One of the highest-counterfeited albums of all time.
Matrix / Runout
UK first press dead wax reads 'SHVL 804 A //2' with hand-etched 'PORKY' / 'PECKO' (Pecko Prime).
3 Tells That Reveal a Fake
- 1
Inserts: original copies came with two 24×24 inch posters and two stickers. The posters used a specific uncoated paper stock and the prism graphic is printed with a deep, rich colour separation. Fake inserts are typically on glossy paper with less saturated colours and bleed at the prism edges.
- 2
Harvest label: genuine UK labels have 'Made in Great Britain' text and a specific font for the song titles. The orange of the Harvest logo on originals is a warm, slightly muted tone — many fakes print it in a harsher, more fluorescent orange.
- 3
Dead wax: UK first press dead wax reads 'SHVL 804 A //2' (or similar) with the Porky/Pecko Prime hand-etch ('PORKY' on Side A, 'PECKO' on Side B). These are hand-cut scratches — absence of them, or machine-uniform text, marks a later pressing or fake.
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Check My Record — 99¢Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon real or fake?
The fastest way to check if your Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon is genuine is to scan it with Vinyl Guard at vinylguard.pro. Upload a photo of the label and get a genuine or counterfeit verdict in 30 seconds for 99 cents. No account required.
How do I spot a fake Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon?
Fake Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon pressings can be identified by checking the specific tells covered in this guide. For a definitive verdict scan with Vinyl Guard at vinylguard.pro for 99 cents.
Is Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon commonly counterfeited?
Yes Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon is one of the most commonly counterfeited vinyl records because original pressings are worth significantly more than counterfeits which have no collector value. Vinyl Guard at vinylguard.pro can detect fake pressings in 30 seconds for 99 cents.
What is a genuine Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon worth?
Use the free Vinyl Guard value estimator at vinylguard.pro/tools/vinyl-value-estimator to check current market prices. Then scan with Vinyl Guard for 99 cents to verify your pressing is genuine before buying or selling at that price.
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