RIAA Gold 45 "white matte" award for the Beatles "A Hard Day's Night", which was released on July 13, 1964 and just a month later certified Gold by the RIAA on Aug. 25, 1964 for 1 million copies sold.

One of the most famous hits of the Beatles career, it went to #1 in virtually every major music market worldwide. The tune is of course featured prominently on the soundtrack to the Beatles' first feature film of the same title.

Item Highlights:

• RIAA Gold 45 award with white matte, gold disc, and gold info plate
• Estimated to have been made in 1964
  
• Presented to The Beatles
• In VG condition with some typical frame wear
• Has unopened original back with New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker 
• "White matte" awards (obviously so-named due to the white matte used) were made from from 1964-1974
• RIAA white matte awards numbered only 5-25 plaques worldwide for any given single/album 
• Award measures approx. 13" x 17"
• Beautiful and very rare collector's item

Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold single award was made in 1964. The award is presented to The Beatles. This award is 57 years old and yet is in VG condition. There is some very minor discoloration of the matte near some of the edges, a few mars on the wood frame and tears on the backing paper as is expected.. The award also has its' original New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to get a highly coveted early Beatles RIAA white matte award presented to the group themselves. Did you know the Beatles have more RIAA sales in the top 10 highest auction sales than any other artist?

Notes on the condition of all vintage RIAA awards like this one: Please do not buy this item if you want a brand new piece of memorabilia. These are historical artifacts from the year they were produced. As a result they may show signs of wear. Frankly, if you see a 50-year-old award purported to be in 100% perfect condition, it might be too good to be true. After all, an antique should have "good' wear. If not, you might want to question the piece.

As to where they came from, they could have been displayed in record label offices, recording studios, artist manager's offices, radio stations, private collector's homes and yes, of course, possibly the artist's or songwriter's home. Typically, we don't know all the places they may have been over the years other than what we've stated in the description.