RIAA Platinum album award for Metallica's Ride The Lightning album. Released on Nov. 16, 1984, the album was certified Platinum for one million copies sold on May 16, 1989. 

The album, the group's second studio release and last to include Dave Mustaine, who would go on to form Megadeth, also was one of the last to feature bassist Cliff Burton (1962-1986). While only rising to #48 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, it did well worldwide and helped to cement the group as a force. By 2012 the release had been certified 6x Multi-Platinum for 6 million sold in the U.S. 

Item Highlights:

• RIAA Platinum album sales award from the "R" hologram period
• In Excellent condition
• Award made in 1990
• Presented to Elektra Records
• All original with manufacturer's sticker
• Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
• Great collectors item for any Metallica fan

Detailed Item Description: This is an official RIAA R hologram Platinum award made in 1990, making it approx. 31 years old. It is presented to Elektra Records.

It is in Excellent condition with only very minor mars on the frame and plexiglass. The backing paper is original, complete with Fitzgerald Hartley manufacturer's sticker on its' back.

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 20 to 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.