The British record collector magazine Record Collector has published several Top 20 to 100 “Worldwide Rarities” lists throughout the years for Queen and solo releases. The ones published between 1998 and 2000 can be found here. Some more lists have been published throughout the years with the last notable one being from 2021, but all were arguably incomplete. The collectors market changes on a regular basis. New items are being discovered every few months or years. Rare items are suddenly not so rare anymore because old warehouse stock was found or interest in a particular artist or release has increased or decreased, changing demand and thus an item’s value.
A small group of Queen collectors came up with the idea to compile a new contemporary list, covering not just Queen, but also the solo releases. Each list will be a Top 100 to ensure that as many releases will be covered as possible. To avoid the fact that many lists will be dominated by obscure one-off releases or test pressings, two main categories are introduced:
- General public releases: these include music formats which could be purchased in a shop, were handed out to radio stations or where released but then withdrawn again
- Non-general public releases: as expected, this one covers anything that was not made for the record buying audience. These include test pressings, acetates, special executive and non-public event releases and anything rumoured
Each of these two categories apply to every artist or band (Queen, The Cross, Brian May, Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor) and will cover 100 of the most rare and expensive releases up to the date of this publication. This approach thus means that you will get up to 200 releases per artist! The only exception is for John, since his solo output is so small.
The Top 100 lists
These lists were updated on 22 March 2026
Some words about these lists. The referenced values are all estimates and not written in stone. They are in most cases for (near) mint copies and based on (recent) sale values. Still, anyone can ask or pay for an item whatever he or she wants.
The title of a release in the list can be a link to a relevant page (i.e. Discogs or Popsike) with further details including images, catalogue number, label information etc. You may even stumble upon an opportunity to buy such an item!
The thumbnails are clickable to see a larger version of the artwork if needed, but please note that many images are sourced from various places across the internet. This means that the quality is not always that great.
Due to the band’s large output, it was decided to create multiple Top 100 lists. This page covers the Queen box set releases. Any set in a box or slipcase with some extras such as a hardback book, t-shirt or poster is considered a box set. Same for sets which combine multiple albums in individual cases with a slipcase like Miniatures. Sometimes it wasn’t too clear whether to include it or not (such as certain French CD releases in a slipcase with two albums), but for now we went ahead and included them.
As with the other lists, only official releases are included.
General public releases
The below entries cover those releases which were made available to the general public and radio stations in relation to Queen’s work.
| Details | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 5.000 € | |
 | The Complete Works 1985, EU, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) Numbered on the inside of the lid, Complete Vision sleeve is signed by full band (600 copies), 14 LP’s, booklet, tour itinerary and world map |
|
| #2 | 2.400 € | |
 | The Greatest 3 1995, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Promotional box set with 3 compilations for Paul McCartney (cover states The Beatles), Queen and the Rolling Stones |
|
| #3 | 1.500 € | |
 | News Of The World 1977, UK, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) Promo, green custom box, NOTW LP, 5 photos, biography, badge, demo copy of We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You, 50 only |
|
| #4 | 1.300 € | |
 | Queen Mania 1990, Germany, CD (5″, Box Set) Numbered and limited to 1000 copies, 17 CD’s, t-shirt, badge, poster |
|
| #5 | 1.250 € | |
 | Made In Heaven 1995, Germany, Misc (Box Set) Promotional box with HFE promo CD-single, The Queen Phenomenon VHS, VHS transcript, 2 promotional booklets, rumoured to be limited to 25-30 copies |
|
| #6 | 1.200 € | |
 | Innuendo 1991, UK, Misc (Box Set) Promotional box set, contains a biography and VHS tape, 25 only |
|
| #7 | 1.100 € | |
 | Their Best 1993, USA, Misc (Box Set) Promo, black briefcase with Classic Queen CD and VHS, press release and Innuendo era promo photo, probably unnumbered |
|
| #8 | 1.000 € | |
 | Their Best 1992, USA, CD (5″, Box Set) Promo, black briefcase with US Greatest Hits CD, Classic Queen CD, GH and CQ press releases and Queen II era promo photo, probably unnumbered |
|
| #9 | 1.000 € | |
 | Their Best 1992, USA, Misc (Box Set) Promo, black briefcase with US Greatest Hits CD and VHS, two GH press releases and Innuendo era promo photo, possibly numbered |
|
| #10 | 900 € | |
 | Their Best 1992, USA, CD (5″, Box Set) Promo, black briefcase with US Greatest Hits CD, We Are The Champions promo CD-s, GH press release and Queen II era promo photo, limited and numbered to 100 copies |
|
| #11 | 850 € | |
 | Ultimate Queen 1995, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Numbered and limited to 15.000 copies, 20 CD’s, booklet, with custom outer carton, unused/sealed content |
|
| #12 | 800 € | |
 | Queen Complete 1985, Sweden, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) Box with the first 11 studio LP’s |
|
| #13 | 800 € | |
 | Wembley Roadie Cube 2011, EU, Misc (5″, Box Set) Numbered and limited, 2 CD’s, 2 DVD’s, book, memorabilia |
|
| #14 | 750 € | |
 | Five Live 1993, USA, Misc (Box Set) Promotional set of Five Live items including the white promo box, CD EP, CD-single, shirt and a map, shipped in a generic Five Live stickered box |
|
| #15 | 700 € | |
 | Absolute Greatest 2009, UK, CD (5″, Box Set) QueenOnline exclusive, numbered and limited to 500 copies, 2 CD’s, calendar, shirt, print, Christmas card |
|
| #16 | 650 € | |
 | News Of The World 1977, USA, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) Promo, black outer custom envelope, NOTW LP, 7 black & white photos, 5 press sheets, custom Queen NOTW newspaper, sheet with 2 stickers, 1977 UK fan club biography |
|
| #17 | 550 € | |
 | The 3″CD-Singles 1989, Germany, CD (5″, Box Set) Numbered and limited to 555 copies, leather wallet containing 12 3″ CD’s |
|
| #18 | 550 € | |
 | Ultimate Queen 1995, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Numbered and limited to 15.000 copies, 20 CD’s, booklet, no custom outer carton |
|
| #19 | 525 € | |
 | Studio Collection 2015, EU, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) 18 LP’s on colored vinyl, book |
|
| #20 | 525 € | |
 | Studio Collection 2015, USA, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) 18 LP’s on colored vinyl, book |
|
| #21 | 500 € | |
 | Live In Japan 2016, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Limited to 1000 copies, box with clear 2LP, CD, BR, booklets, shirt |
|
| #22 | 500 € | |
 | Live In Japan 2016, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Limited to 1000 copies, box with clear 2LP, CD, DVD, booklets, shirt |
|
| #23 | 450 € | |
 | The Platinum Collection: Special Edition 2008, Spain, CD (5″, Box Set) Tin box with 3 CD’s plus a shirt, limited and numbered to 2000 copies |
|
| #24 | 425 € | |
 | The Complete Works 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) 14 LP’s, booklet, tour itinerary and world map, Complete Vision LP plays at 45 RPM |
|
| #25 | 425 € | |
 | Limited Edition Premium USB Orb 2011, EU, Misc (Box Set) Numbered and limited to 5000 copies, USB drive contains 2011 remasters of all studio albums in WAV and MP3 format |
|
| #26 | 400 € | |
 | The Miracle 2022, EU, Misc (Box Set) QueenOnline exclusive, box with LP, 6 CD’s, DVD, BR, book, posters, press kit replica with Teaser Tape as 3″ CD |
|
| #27 | 375 € | |
 | The Complete Album Collection 2008, Italy, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 24 CD’s, 2 booklets |
|
| #28 | 375 € | |
 | Queen 40 Limited Edition Collector’s Box Set 2011, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 15 double CD albums |
|
| #29 | 350 € | |
 | The Complete Works 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) Numbered on the inside of the lid, 14 LP’s, booklet, tour itinerary and world map |
|
| #30 | 300 € | |
 | The Complete Works 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) 14 LP’s, booklet, tour itinerary and world map, Complete Vision LP plays at 33 1/3 RPM |
|
| #31 | 300 € | |
 | The Miracle 1989, Canada, Misc (Box Set) Promotional box set, contains a biography, stapled transcripted interview, US CD and UK cassette |
|
| #32 | 300 € | |
 | The Platinum Collection 2022, EU, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) QueenOnline exclusive, box with 6 colored LP’s, booklet, hand numbered print, limited to 2000 copies |
|
| #33 | 275 € | |
 | Five Live 1993, USA, Misc (Box Set) Promotional box with CD-single, VHS and condom |
|
| #34 | 275 € | |
 | Live At The Rainbow ’74 2014, Japan, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box with 2 CD’s, DVD, BR, book, memorabilia, Japanese insert |
|
| #35 | 250 € | |
 | Innuendo 1991, UK, Misc (Box Set) Promotional box set, contains a biography, CD and cassette, some also have a calendar |
|
| #36 | 250 € | |
 | Rocks 1991, USA, CD (5″, Box Set) 4 promotional CD’s in individual drawers, housed in a box set |
|
| #37 | 250 € | |
 | Queen Singles Collection 4 2010, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 13 CD’s |
|
| #38 | 250 € | |
 | The Queen Collection 2015, Italy, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box with 22 CD’s in custom digipacks, 3 DVD’s, box came with the first album (A Kind Of Magic) |
|
| #39 | 225 € | |
 | Live At The Rainbow ’74 2014, EU, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) 4 LP box featuring the two Rainbow concerts |
|
| #40 | 220 € | |
 | Queen II 2026, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Box with 2 LP’s, 5 CD’s, book, prints, Japanese insert |
|
| #41 | 210 € | |
 | Queen I 2024, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 6 CD’s, book, posters, Japanese insert |
|
| #42 | 200 € | |
 | Queen Singles Collection 4 2010, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 13 CD’s |
|
| #43 | 200 € | |
 | A Night At The Odeon 2015, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Box with CD, DVD, BR, 12″, book, memorabilia, Japanese insert |
|
| #44 | 200 € | |
 | Queen x Onkyo Digital Audio Player 2016, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Queen branded Onkyo hi-res audio player, with SD card containing five Queen songs |
|
| #45 | 200 € | |
 | News Of The World 2017, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 3 CD’s, DVD, book, replica presskit, stickers, posters, 1977 replica tour laminat |
|
| #46 | 190 € | |
 | On Air 2016, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 6 CD’s, booklet |
|
| #47 | 190 € | |
 | The Miracle 2022, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 5 CD’s, DVD, BR, book, posters, Japanese insert |
|
| #48 | 185 € | |
 | CD Single Box 1991, Japan, CD (3″, Box Set) Promo, box with 12 3″ CD’s, booklet |
|
| #49 | 175 € | |
 | Queen Singles Collection 1 2008, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 13 CD’s |
|
| #50 | 175 € | |
 | Queen Singles Collection 3 2010, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 13 CD’s |
|
| #51 | 175 € | |
 | The Platinum Collection 2022, EU, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) Box with 6 colored LP’s, booklet |
|
| #52 | 170 € | |
 | The Miracle 1989, UK, Misc (Box Set) Promotional box set, contains a biography, photo, CD and cassette |
|
| #53 | 160 € | |
 | Queen II 2026, EU, Misc (Box Set) Box with 2 LP’s, 5 CD’s, book, prints |
|
| #54 | 160 € | |
 | Queen II 2026, USA, Misc (Box Set) Box with 2 LP’s, 5 CD’s, book, prints |
|
| #55 | 155 € | |
 | Box Of Tricks 1992, UK, Misc (Box Set) Box with cassette, VHS, book, poster, t-shirt, pin, patch |
|
| #56 | 150 € | |
 | The Eye 1999, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Big box PC game with 5 CD’s featuring the game and Queen audio, manual, post card, artwork and manual in Japanese |
|
| #57 | 150 € | |
 | Queen Singles Collection 3 2010, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 13 CD’s |
|
| #58 | 145 € | |
 | CD Single Box 1991, Japan, CD (3″, Box Set) Box with 12 3″ CD’s, booklet |
|
| #59 | 145 € | |
 | Box Of Tricks 1992, UK, Misc (Box Set) Box with CD, VHS, book, poster, t-shirt, pin, patch |
|
| #60 | 145 € | |
 | Miniatures Volume 2 1998, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Numbered and limited, 4 CD’s |
|
| #61 | 140 € | |
 | Greatest Hits II 1991, UK, Misc (Box Set) Promotional box set, contains a CD, VHS and book |
|
| #62 | 130 € | |
 | News Of The World 2017, EU, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 3 CD’s, DVD, book, replica presskit, stickers, posters, 1977 replica tour laminat, biography is misprinted |
|
| #63 | 130 € | |
 | News Of The World 2017, USA, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 3 CD’s, DVD, book, replica presskit, stickers, posters, 1977 replica tour laminat, biography is misprinted |
|
| #64 | 130 € | |
 | The Miracle 2022, EU, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 5 CD’s, DVD, BR, book, posters |
|
| #65 | 130 € | |
 | The Miracle 2022, USA, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 5 CD’s, DVD, BR, book, posters |
|
| #66 | 130 € | |
 | Queen I 2024, EU, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 6 CD’s, book, posters |
|
| #67 | 130 € | |
 | Queen I 2024, USA, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 6 CD’s, book, posters |
|
| #68 | 125 € | |
 | Miniatures Volume 1 1998, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Numbered and limited, 4 CD’s |
|
| #69 | 120 € | |
 | News Of The World 2017, EU, Misc (Box Set) Box with LP, 3 CD’s, DVD, book, replica presskit, stickers, posters, 1977 replica tour laminat |
|
| #70 | 100 € | |
 | Hit Box 1982, Netherlands, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) Box featuring the albums News Of The World, Jazz, The Game and Hot Space |
|
| #71 | 100 € | |
_japan_2005_jp_cd_5_box_set_id7068.jpg) | Jewels I & II – We Will Rock You (Shinjuku Kona Theater) Japan 2005 2005, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with embossed silver slipcase, 2 CD’s |
|
| #72 | 100 € | |
 | Queen 2007, USA, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 6 Hollywood Records CD’s including 1991 bonus tracks |
|
| #73 | 100 € | |
 | The Cosmos Rocks Collectors Edition 2008, USA, Misc (Box Set) Box with 5 LP’s, 1 DVD, 1 CD, Best Buy exclusive |
|
| #74 | 100 € | |
 | Greatest Hits I II & III: The Platinum Collection 2011, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) GH 1, 2 & 3 packed together with a slipcase, comes with a mini Red Special replica in a special box |
|
| #75 | 100 € | |
 | Live In Japan 2017, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Box with CD, BR, shirt |
|
| #76 | 100 € | |
 | Live In Japan 2017, Japan, Misc (Box Set) Box with CD, DVD, shirt |
|
| #77 | 100 € | |
 | The Platinum Collection 2026, EU, Vinyl (12″, Box Set) Box with 6 LP’s, booklet |
|
| #78 | 95 € | |
 | Queen Live 1990, Germany, CD (5″, Box Set) Live Magic and Live Killers packed together with a slipcase |
|
| #79 | 95 € | |
 | Queen Singles Collection 2 2009, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 13 CD’s |
|
| #80 | 95 € | |
 | Live At The Rainbow ’74 2014, USA, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box with 2 CD’s, DVD, BR, book, memorabilia |
|
| #81 | 90 € | |
 | Five Live 1993, USA, Misc (Box Set) Promotional box with CD EP, VHS |
|
| #82 | 90 € | |
 | The Eye 1998, Spain, CD (5″, Box Set) Big box PC game with 5 CD’s featuring the game and Queen audio, manual, post card, artwork and manual in Spanish |
|
| #83 | 90 € | |
 | Live At The Rainbow ’74 2014, EU, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box with 2 CD’s, DVD, BR, book, memorabilia |
|
| #84 | 90 € | |
 | A Night At The Odeon 2015, EU, Misc (Box Set) Box with CD, DVD, BR, 12″, book, memorabilia |
|
| #85 | 80 € | |
 | The Crown Jewels 1998, USA, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 8 CD’s, booklet |
|
| #86 | 80 € | |
 | Made In Heaven + Innuendo 2002, France, CD (5″, Box Set) Two albums packed together with a top-lid slipcase |
|
| #87 | 80 € | |
 | Queen 40 Limited Edition Collector’s Box Set 2011, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 5 double CD albums, the rest of the space was filled up with empty black cardboard |
|
| #88 | 75 € | |
 | Greatest Hits I & II 1992, Australia, CD (5″, Box Set) Numbered and limited, 2 individual CD’s |
|
| #89 | 75 € | |
 | The Eye 1998, France, CD (5″, Box Set) Big box PC game with 5 CD’s featuring the game and Queen audio, manual, post card, artwork and manual in French |
|
| #90 | 75 € | |
 | Queen Singles Collection 2 2009, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 13 CD’s |
|
| #91 | 75 € | |
 | Greatest Hits I II & III: The Platinum Collection 2014, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) GH 1, 2 & 3 packed together with a slipcase |
|
| #92 | 70 € | |
 | The Definitive Collection 2007, Italy, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 4 CD’s, booklet, Queen image on the front of the box |
|
| #93 | 65 € | |
 | The Queen Collection 1992, USA, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 3 CD’s, post card |
|
| #94 | 60 € | |
 | The Eye 1998, Germany, CD (5″, Box Set) Big box PC game with 5 CD’s featuring the game and Queen audio, manual, post card, artwork and manual in German |
|
| #95 | 60 € | |
 | Greatest Hits / Greatest Hits III 2002, Argentina, CD (5″, Box Set) GH 1 & 3 packed together with a slipcase, Colección Musimundo |
|
| #96 | 60 € | |
 | Queen Singles Collection 1 2008, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 13 CD’s |
|
| #97 | 55 € | |
 | Gold 2002, South Korea, CD (5″, Box Set) Gold box with 2 CD’s |
|
| #98 | 55 € | |
_eu_misc_5_box_set_id7093.jpg) | Hungarian Rhapsody (Live In Budapest) 2012, EU, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box with DVD, 2 CD’s |
|
| #99 | 55 € | |
 | On Air 2016, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Box with 6 CD’s, booklet |
|
| #100 | 50 € | |
 | Greatest Hits I & II 1992, UK, CD (5″, Box Set) Numbered and limited, 2 individual CD’s |
|
Wonderful! You’ve managed to reach the end of this Top 100 list! Hope it was worthwhile and in some way educative. On to the next one!
Non-General public releases
The next entries cover those releases which were not made available to the general public. These include test pressings, acetate discs, releases for special events, executive pressings and rumoured releases.
Unfortunately there are only five as there are not that many known, certain collectors tend to not share information about their collection or there are simply not that many of these type of releases for their work.
| Details | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2.900 € | |
 | Live At Wembley ’86 1992, USA, Misc (Box Set) Promo, 2 CD’s, cassette, t-shirt, presskit, all housed in a bag, limited and numbered to 250 copies, expected to have been handed out during a launch party |
|
| #2 | 2.250 € | |
 | Innuendo 1991, USA, Misc (Box Set) Promotional custom made Innuendo-bag, handed out during album launch event at Queen Mary’s Grand Salon, bag contents may vary, can contain shirt, poster, album on cassette and CD, promo flat and photo |
|
| #3 | 2.200 € | |
 | Classic Queen 1992, USA, Misc (Box Set) Promo, 1 CD in a longbox, promo cassette, sweatshirt, mug, presskit, all housed in a custom bag, expected to have been handed out during a launch party |
|
| #4 | 1.100 € | |
 | Absolute Greatest 2009, UK, CD (5″, Box Set) QueenOnline exclusive, artist proof, numbered and limited to 5 copies, 2 CD’s, calendar, shirt, print, Christmas card |
|
| #5 | 550 € | |
 | The Miracle 2022, EU, Misc (5″, Misc) Set of 5 CD’s, DVD, BR as checkdiscs aka test pressings, dated 05.05.20222, each disc comes in a clear jewel case, no artwork |
|
This second list concludes the top rarities and collectables for box set releases by Queen. It is expected that there are still some gems hidden in someone’s collection unless information has gone lost over the years. But anything that may pop up and catches our eyes, may be added to these list in the (near) future so feel free to check for updates every now and then!
For an overview of all available lists, please refer to the main article.
These Top 100 lists were created with the valuable input from the following people: Remy Hunter, Paul Bird, Román Varady, Jamie Mercury, Gary Taylor, Andrés Campos Goussen, Ron Formela
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