Gold and platinum awards have become vivid symbols of music’s success. Honor Music is about the hobby of collecting them.
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The Beach Boys, released “Shut Down Volume 2” in March 1964 and it was certified gold by the RIAA on 12/21/66, reaching a peak chart position of #13.
RIAA White Matte awards come in slightly different formats based on their year of presentation. First presentations have components which are correct for the date of certification. In the case of “Shut Down Volume 2”, certified in December 1966, two clues point to the award being manufactured later, in 1969.
1. “… a subsidiary of capitol records industries” is printed on the bottom of the label. 
According to the “Record Label Guide” by Joe Lindsay and other sources this label was used briefly from 1968 to the 3rd quarter of 1969. The 1966 label would have said “… manufactured by Capitol Records Inc.” 
2. The presentation plate offers another clue. In 1969 the quotes around the album title would have looked like they do on this award…
A plate from 1966 would have had “little elevens” like the ones on the Animals’ award here…
These distinctions are important to some collectors because first presentations generally have more value that later ones.
Nick Venet was the executive who signed the Beach Boys to Capitol and produced their first two albums.
Original backing paper and sticker show this award is unopened, with original though second generation parts.
Thanks to Wayne Johnson at Rockaway Records for sharing this award.
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