News & Trending Jobs & Career News

13 Cassette Tapes That Are Worth a Small Fortune

Those old David Bowie, Prince, or Linkin Park tapes in your basement may be able to rake in some cash.

retro cassette tapes
Updated Nov. 26, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Inflation is difficult to deal with, and making sure you have a good amount of pocket change can be a project in itself. Nowadays, it seems everyone is trying to monetize their hobbies to keep up.

Side hustles that work with a full-time job include sourcing and selling collector's items — including cassette tapes.

Whether you have a collection gathering dust in the attic or spy some hidden treasures at the thrift stores, check out 13 cassette tapes worth a small fortune.

Earn money online by taking surveys

$55,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their surveys in your extra time.

Follow these simple steps to start earning:

  1. Sign up for an account with Survey Junkie here.
  2. Take surveys.
  3. Repeat daily and get paid for sharing your opinion!

P.S.: You can cash out with as little as $5 through PayPal or bank transfer, or transfer to gift cards from a number of stores.

Get your share of $55,000 daily by signing up here

The Black Album, Prince

Lenbir/Adobe hand holding a cassette tape, blank

Like the majority of Prince’s original works, “The Black Album” was never officially released to the public. Set to release in 1987, Prince pulled this tape from production specifically because he had experienced a spiritual experience that encouraged him to do so.

A small unknown number of copies was leaked, so the original run of cassettes is worth close to $5,000 each. In 2017, a 1987 promo cassette sold for a whopping $8,750.

Licensed to Ill (First Edition), The Beastie Boys

tomertu/Adobe cassette tape with tape coming out

Released in 1986 to fanfare and critical acclaim, the cassette's original run is hard to find now.

If you have a factory-sealed copy, you could get up to $1,500 for it. Brand-new copies can cost $450, and used options, depending on condition, can cost between $25 and $50.

Deftones, Deftones

kulzfotolia/Adobe pile of colorful cassette taoes

Deftones only had 15 copies of their first, self-titled release made on cassette. These copies had their first manager’s phone number on the jackets, a notable concept, alongside the fact that each side of the cassette holds the same four songs.

In 2024, one copy of this 1992 release was sold for $5,000.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now

Ten, Pearl Jam

shaiith/Adobe old tape walkman and pile of cassette tapes

Pearl Jam’s 1991 studio album features fan favorites like “Porch,” “Even Flow,” and “Black” among eight other gems. While a sealed, first-pressing version of this cassette has been listed and sold for as much as $4,000, copies in new condition often sell for $400 to $700.

The most expensive option currently on eBay is $663.80.

Illmatic, Nas

rawpixel,com/Adobe neatly organized pile of cassette tapes

Nas’ “Illmatic” album, which features a childhood photo of the artist, is highly regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time.

If you happen to have a sealed cassette, you could score up to $900, though the most recent highest-sold went for just over $305. Even used copies go for around $100.

The Versace Experience - Prelude 2 Gold, Prince

Roberto Sorin/Adobe impressive and neat collection of old casset tapes on a shelf stacked vertically

In 1995, this rare promotional cassette by Prince was passed out at Versace’s Paris Fashion Week show.

While it had no original value or investment, one copy has gone for as much as $4,011 in recent years.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now

Adult Diversion, Alvvays

Pleg Doroshin/Adobe close up of cassette tape

A newer release that is worth quite a bit of money is 2013’s single cassette for Alvvays’ “Adult Diversion.” This cassette was an independent release that came out before they signed to Polyvinyl, so there weren’t very many copies created and sold.

The most expensive one sold for $3,423.36.

Nevermind, Nirvana

Oleg Doroshin/ Adobe stylized and stacked cassette tapes

In 1991, Nirvana released the instant cult classic “Nevermind”, never knowing that it – and its accompanying cover – would live on in such infamy.

Sealed copies of the cassettes have sold for as much as $1,500 on eBay, but you can still make a reasonable amount on used versions.

Infinite, Eminem

tomertu/Adobe cassettes next to headphones

While a signed, sealed vinyl copy of Eminem’s “Infinite” album could score you enough to buy an SUV, an original run cassette could also make you quite a pretty penny.

A set that includes a collector’s re-issue (copy #9 of 100) and a 2018 Slim Shady EP cassette is currently being sold online for $2,000.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Phish, Phish

ardasavasciogullari/Adobe messy pile of cassettes

Phish fans were waiting with bated breath to see this lively jam band on the list. Their 1987 self-titled cassette is worth hundreds of dollars depending on its condition —a copy in very good condition went for $1,200 in 2024.

Man in the Mirror, Michael Jackson

Matt Sima/Wirestock; Adobe cassette tapes at store i holder.

The original demo tape of Michael Jackson’s hit single “Man in the Mirror” is highly sought after by collectors. As the King of Pop, any of his cassettes will garner you some sort of return — especially the rarities.

While you may never lay your eyes on it, this one is estimated to be worth between $30,000 and $50,000.

Xero, Xero

Roberto Sorin/Adobe blank cassettes  sitting in a neat line

Linkin Park’s original band name was Xero, and they self-released a self-titled full-length demo years ago that’s now worth thousands of dollars.

Because it’s rare and the band no longer exists – with its original lineup or name – it has sold for as much as $4,500.

The Man Who Sold The World, David Bowie

delphotostock/Adobe pile of cassettes

David Bowie’s elevated, jewel-toned photograph adorns the front of his 1970 full-length “The Man Who Sold The World”. This album is rare, and collectors keep a beady eye out for it.

The U.K. version of this release is known to go for around $200 in decent condition.

Bottom line

Courtesy of Ebay vintage cassette tape

You can make cash on the side from home by going through your old albums and cassettes to find diamonds in the rough.

If you’d like to make a hobby of it, begin to scope out local thrift shops, secondhand stores, and estate sales for valuable tapes.

Inbox Dollars Benefits

  • Get a $5 bonus when you register with your email
  • You could earn money by taking surveys or making online searches
  • Over $80 million paid to members so far - how much can you earn?


Author Details

Meredith Schneider

Meredith Schneider is a writer, editor, and marketing professional with over a decade of experience across multiple industries. As a creative entrepreneur, she is always on the lookout for money-saving hacks to support her single-income household. Meredith is dedicated to finding high-quality products at affordable prices to elevate her life and those around her.