Velvet Underground & Nico Peelable Banana Value Guide (2026)

When it came out in 1967, barely anyone bought it. The Velvet Underground & Nico peaked at #171 on the Billboard chart. Brian Eno later said the album sold only 30,000 copies in its first five years - but everyone who bought one started a band. Today, an original 1967 pressing with the Andy Warhol banana sticker still intact and unpeeled sells for $25,000 to $50,000 or more. It's one of the most collectible records in rock history, and that banana is the reason.

Quick Value Summary


Item	The Velvet Underground & Nico (Peelable Banana Cover)
Year	1967
Label	Verve Records
Category	Vinyl Records
Format	12" LP (mono and stereo)
Producer	Andy Warhol
Condition Range
Reissue with peelable banana (e.g., 2008 180g)	$500 – $1,500
Original 1967, peeled banana	$5,000 – $15,000
Original 1967 mono, unpeeled banana, NM	$25,000 – $50,000+
Rarity	Rare (original with unpeeled banana)

The Story

Andy Warhol didn't just produce this album. He designed the cover, managed the band, and insisted that German singer Nico be added to the lineup - a decision that caused tension but created something unforgettable. His only formal credit on the album reads "produced by Andy Warhol."

The music was unlike anything in 1967. While the rest of the world was doing the Summer of Love, the Velvet Underground was writing about heroin addiction ("Heroin"), sadomasochism ("Venus in Furs"), and street life ("I'm Waiting for the Man"). Lou Reed's lyrics were raw and literary. John Cale's droning viola was abrasive and hypnotic. Nico's voice was cold and otherworldly.

Nobody knew what to do with it. Radio wouldn't play it. Stores didn't stock it. The few thousand people who found it were changed by it. Punk, art rock, alternative music, indie rock - this album is the ancestor of all of them.

Warhol's banana cover became the album's visual signature. The original concept required a special sticker overlay during manufacturing: a yellow banana sticker that could be peeled off to reveal a pink, flesh-colored banana underneath. It was Warhol being Warhol - turning a commercial product into interactive pop art. That peelable sticker is now the single biggest value driver for collectors.

How to Identify It

The Banana Sticker

This is everything.

Unpeeled: The yellow banana sticker is intact, still adhered to the cover. This is the most valuable state. The sticker should show its original print quality and adhesive - it's not a standard sticker you'd find on a modern reissue.
Peeled: The sticker has been removed, revealing the pink banana underneath. Still collectible, but worth significantly less than unpeeled.
Missing: The sticker is gone entirely, leaving adhesive residue or a blank spot. Least valuable original cover state.

Original 1967 Pressing vs. Reissues

The album has been reissued many times, and some reissues (like the 2008 Vinyl Lovers 180g edition) recreate the peelable banana. Don't confuse a reissue banana with an original.

How to tell them apart:

Label: Original pressings are on Verve Records (V-5008 for mono, V6-5008 for stereo). Reissues use different labels and catalog numbers.
Matrix/runout numbers: Check the numbers scratched into the dead wax near the label. Original 1967 pressings have specific matrix data.
Paper and print quality: Originals use 1960s paper stock and printing. The cover feels different from modern reproductions.

Mono vs. Stereo

Mono: Verve V-5008. Rarer and more valuable. The mono mix is considered by many to be the superior listening experience.
Stereo: Verve V6-5008. More common. Still valuable with an unpeeled banana, but not at the same level as mono.

Cover Variations

Torso cover vs. no-torso cover: Some pressings (particularly from the Emerson pressing plant on the East Coast) feature a subtle torso image on the back cover. The "torso" variant is particularly sought after by collectors.

Value by Condition

The banana is the dividing line. Everything else is secondary.

State	Pressing	Condition	Value Range
Unpeeled banana	Original 1967 mono	NM	$25,000 – $50,000+
Unpeeled banana	Original 1967 stereo	NM	$15,000 – $30,000
Peeled banana	Original 1967	Good condition	$5,000 – $15,000
Peelable banana	Reissue (e.g., 2008 180g)	NM	$500 – $1,500

Original 1967 mono East Coast pressings with unpeeled bananas regularly command five-figure prices. The torso cover variation adds a premium on top of that.

Authentication & Fakes

What to Watch For

Reissue bananas passed off as originals. The 2008 Vinyl Lovers reissue looks convincing at a glance. Always check the label, catalog number, and matrix.
Replaced stickers. Someone applies a new banana sticker to an original cover that lost its original. The adhesive, print quality, and alignment will differ from a genuine 1967 sticker.
"Unpeeled" claims on partially peeled copies. Some stickers have been lifted at the edge and re-adhered. Examine all edges carefully.

Verification Steps

✅ Verve Records label (V-5008 mono or V6-5008 stereo)
✅ Correct 1967 matrix/runout numbers
✅ Period-appropriate paper stock and printing
✅ Banana sticker with original adhesive and print quality
✅ Emerson pressing plant identifiers for East Coast copies (if applicable)

Where to Sell

Reissues ($500–$1,500)

Discogs - Large vinyl marketplace with knowledgeable buyers
eBay - Good reach for collectible reissues

Original Pressings ($5,000+)

Heritage Auctions - Strong music memorabilia department
Specialist record dealers - Dealers who focus on 1960s rock will understand the nuances
Discogs - Can work for high-value records, but ensure buyer protection

High-Value Originals ($25,000+)

Heritage Auctions or specialist auction houses - For five-figure records, you need a venue with credibility and reach
Private sale through authenticated dealers - For discretion

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Common Questions

How much is The Velvet Underground & Nico with a peelable banana worth?

It depends on the pressing and whether the banana is peeled. An original 1967 mono pressing with an unpeeled banana in near-mint condition: $25,000 to $50,000+. Peeled original: $5,000 to $15,000. A modern reissue with a peelable banana: $500 to $1,500.

Why does the banana sticker matter so much?

It's what makes the cover iconic. Andy Warhol designed it as interactive pop art - the instruction to "Peel slowly and see" is part of the concept. An unpeeled banana proves the album has been kept in its original state for nearly 60 years. That's rare, and collectors pay accordingly.

Is the mono or stereo version more valuable?

Mono (Verve V-5008) is rarer and more valuable. It also had a smaller pressing run. Many audiophiles consider the mono mix superior for listening. But both versions are valuable with an intact banana.

How do I tell an original from a reissue?

Check the label first. Originals are on Verve Records with specific catalog numbers (V-5008 for mono, V6-5008 for stereo). The 2008 Vinyl Lovers reissue and other modern pressings use different labels. Matrix numbers in the dead wax and paper stock quality also distinguish originals from reissues.

Did Brian Eno really say that about the album?

The quote - that only 30,000 people bought the album but every one started a band - is widely attributed to Eno and captures the album's outsized influence. Whether the number is precisely accurate is debatable, but the sentiment is undeniably true. This album launched punk, art rock, and alternative music.