13 Rare Cassette Tapes Valued At A Shockingly High Price

Most folks tossed cassette tapes ages ago, leaving only a few collectors clutching what turned out to be magnetic gold.

Certain demo recordings and tiny-run releases now fetch jaw-dropping prices, proof that nostalgia mixed with rarity creates a powerful little storm. Grunge greats, indie-pop sweethearts, and underground icons all left behind tapes that carry the warm plastic smell of old electronics and the emotional punch of a time capsule.

Here are thirteen cassettes showing how a simple shell and a strip of magnetic ribbon can turn into a treasure worth thousands.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be treated as financial, investment, or collecting advice. Valuations for cassette tapes and other collectibles can change over time and may vary widely between buyers, sellers, and marketplaces. Readers should independently verify current prices and conditions and, where appropriate, consult qualified professionals before making any purchasing or selling decisions. Any cassette images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily represent the exact tapes referenced in the article, for copyright and rights-management reasons.

1. Deftones – Deftones (1992 Demo Cassette)

Only fifteen copies of this early Deftones demo were ever pressed, making it rarer than a unicorn at a petting zoo. Collectors who track down an authentic copy often shell out around £4,065.57, topping recent Discogs cassette sales charts.

Before the band’s breakthrough with Adrenaline, this lo-fi recording captured their raw, heavy sound. If you stumble upon one at a garage sale, you’ve basically won the lottery.

2. The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince) – The Versace Experience – Prelude 2 Gold (1995)

Handed out exclusively to guests at a Versace fashion show in 1995, this promo cassette bundles unreleased and experimental Prince material. Copies have sold for about £3,783.33 on Discogs, cementing its status among the priciest tapes ever.

Fashion meets funk in this ultra-limited release. Owning one means you hold a slice of both music and runway history, wrapped in purple mystique.

3. Xero – Xero (1997 Demo, Pre–Linkin Park)

Before Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda became household names, they recorded under the name Xero. This early demo tape captures the band’s pre-fame sound and has fetched roughly £3,658 from collectors eager to own a piece of nu-metal history.

Imagine hearing the seeds of Hybrid Theory in a garage recording. That’s the magic this cassette offers to fans and historians alike.

4. Alvvays – Adult Diversion (2013 Cassette Single)

Released before Alvvays signed to Polyvinyl, this limited-run cassette single showcases their jangly guitars and lo-fi charm. Its indie-pop appeal helped it climb to around £2,780 in secondary-market sales.

Canadian cool meets DIY spirit on this tape. If you missed their early shows, owning this cassette is the next best thing to time travel.

5. Ghost – Ghost (Self-Titled Demo)

Swedish rockers Ghost built a cult following with their occult-tinged theatrics and heavy riffs. This demo tape, circulated before their mainstream breakthrough, has traded hands in serious collectors’ circles for high three-figure to low four-figure sums.

Owning a Ghost demo is like holding a backstage pass to their rise. The band’s mystique only adds to the tape’s allure and value.

6. Buck 65 – Year Zero

Canadian hip-hop artist Buck 65 crafted this obscure cassette, which became a coveted underground artifact. Its limited nature and cult following have pushed sale prices into shockingly high territory compared with typical rap tapes.

Underground hip-hop rarely gets this much love. If you’re a fan of introspective beats and poetic flows, this tape is the holy grail you never knew existed.

7. Boards Of Canada – Boc Maxima (1996)

Originally circulated in tiny quantities, this early Boards of Canada release is notorious among electronic-music fans. Collectors pay big money to own one of the few known copies, turning it into a legendary tape.

The duo’s haunting, nostalgic soundscapes defined a generation of electronica. If you find a copy, you’re holding a piece of ambient music history that’s worth more than gold.

8. Various Artists – De La Viande Pour Le Disco (Feat. God Is My Co-Pilot)

An ultra-obscure compilation featuring experimental acts like God Is My Co-Pilot, this cassette sits squarely in the “if you know, you know” zone of avant-garde collectors. Discogs sales show serious demand and very limited supply.

Avant-garde music thrives on obscurity, and this tape delivers in spades. Owning it means you’re part of an exclusive club that values art over mainstream appeal.

9. Celine Dion – Opération Beurre De Pinottes (1985)

Tied to the children’s film Opération beurre de pinottes (The Peanut Butter Solution), this French-language soundtrack cassette captures Celine Dion’s early career. Rarity plus star power helped copies reach very high resale prices.

Before she became a global icon, Celine sang for kids’ movies. This tape is a charming time capsule of her pre-fame days, cherished by collectors worldwide.

10. Eminem – Tracks From The Slim Shady EP (Late ’90s Promo Cassette)

A scarce promo linked to Eminem’s breakout era, this cassette bundles cuts from the Slim Shady period. Collectors chasing early Marshall Mathers material have pushed this tape into the top tier of Discogs cassette sales.

Before The Marshall Mathers LP shook the world, this tape hinted at greatness. Owning it means you witnessed the birth of a rap legend, one rhyme at a time.

11. Phish – Phish (Self-Titled Cassette)

Jam-band devotees cherish this early Phish tape, which captures the band’s formative sound and improvisational roots. A combination of fan devotion and scarcity has driven its price into the upper ranks of cassette auctions.

If you’ve ever followed Phish on tour, you know the magic of their live jams. This cassette bottles that lightning, making it a must-have for any serious fan.

12. Nirvana – Demo (Late ’80s)

Recorded before the band became a global phenomenon, this early Nirvana demo cassette is treated as holy-grail material by collectors. One of these has sold close to £975 on Discogs, proving grunge history doesn’t come cheap.

Kurt Cobain’s raw vocals and distorted guitar laid the groundwork for an entire generation. This tape is a window into that revolutionary moment, forever frozen on magnetic ribbon.

13. The Smashing Pumpkins – The Smashing Pumpkins (1989 Demo)

A pre-fame demo from The Smashing Pumpkins, showcasing the band before mainstream success. This cassette, tied closely to early alternative-rock history, has matched the Nirvana demo with a recorded sale around £974.51.

Billy Corgan’s vision started here, in a basement recording that would eventually birth anthems like “Tonight, Tonight.” This tape is a testament to dreaming big and starting small.