Quesiton for the gold coin catalog collectors-- Garrett, Norweb, Bass, or Eliasberg catalogs?

Longacre

OK. If you are into collecting old auction catalogs and collect gold coins, which set of catalogs should you buy and why? Thanks.

RYK

I have all of the above. In order of preference and why:

1. Eliasberg: Many condition census coins, generally very high quality and complete. Excellent text.
2. Bass (II-IV): As above, but lots of duplicates (low, mid, and high range) spread out over three catalogs.
3. Norweb: Incomplete, gold series spread over three catalogs, lots of mid-range coins.
4. Garrett: My catalog collection is incomplete, so I am probably not qualified to discuss.

When I am confronted with a high end gold coin, I check all three of the above catalogs (#1-3), to see if I can make a match.

Don't forget Dallas Bank, Miles, Milas (for No Motto $5's), all Stack's sales, all great collections. There are probably more that I need to get (Miller, Montgomery, etc.). As one goes back farther in time, the picture quality gets worse.

Coinosaurus

Heritage Green Pond for the southern branch mint stuff.

For catalogs, it is just better to get ALL of them. I mean everything printed since 1975 or so. With patience it can be done for a few grand. Prior to that the plates are crappy and it is more important to be choosy about whether the catalog has significant research value.