Green, Ben E. The Numismatists Reference and Check Book. 1926. Third edition, revised by Guttag Brothers. Black leather binding, with gilt lettering on cover, "L. ELIASBERG." Fine. This is the second time we have had the pleasure of offering this small but highly important volume, a key piece of numismatic history documenting the formation of one of the most important collections ever assembled in this country. We present it here, much as we did a decade ago:<p>Measuring a compact 3.75 by 6.5 inches in size, easy enough to tuck into a pocket, it contains 129 numbered pages listing varieties from half cents to double eagles, plus encased postage stamps, private gold issues, and more. Spaces are provided for a basic checkmark to verify ownership, a column for condition or grade (which Louis Eliasberg filled out with a shorthand numbering system), the date purchased, and the source. Coins from the collection of John M. Clapp, and his successor and son, John H. Clapp, are separately listed with the notation they were purchased in July 1942. This is the famous $100,000 transaction in which he purchased the Clapp Collection intact, brokered by Stack’s, and based upon an appraisal made by John Zug, a prominent dealer located in Bowie, Maryland. Other items are entered individually. For example, an 1873 trade dollar in "condition 1" (Proof) was purchased from S.H. Chapman in 1926, an early acquisition. The price paid is given in code. On the other hand, an 1874-CC trade dollar is described as Fine and valued at $1 when acquired from the Clapp Collection. Among miscellaneous examples, a Proof 1856 Flying Eagle cent was bought from the New York Coin Company in 1927 for $60. In 1927 B. Max Mehl furnished dozens of needed small cents in Uncirculated and Proof grades. The Shield and Liberty nickel series seem to have been purchased en masse, in 1927, while the entry for the 1794 silver dollar seems to suggest that the Clapp Collection specimen replaced another example that had been acquired in 1927. Among gold dollars, an 1855-O in Very Good was purchased from New Netherlands in September 1940 for $2, and an Extremely Fine 1856-S was acquired from Stacks in December 1941 for $8. The especially rare 1861-D gold dollar in Extremely Fine condition was purchased in September 1943 from the Grinnell Collection, portions of which were being auctioned by B. Max Mehl (although the Mehl name is not mentioned). In contrast, the 1860-S gold dollar, described as Extremely Fine, was purchased from Mehls auction of the William F. Dunham Collection in June 1941 for $9.75. Among half eagles, he did not enter his purchase of the famous 1822, but made the notation, "Only three known to exist," and that Stacks had advised him that an example would cost $1,000 to $1,500 if one could be found, this notation probably made in the late 1930s. An 1861-C half eagle is graded as VF and was purchased in March 1941 from Syracuse dealer Barney Bluestone for $9.50. The 1854-O double eagle, described as "practically Uncirculated," was acquired in June 1946 from B. Max Mehl for $220, while at the same time a VF example of 1856-O was acquired from the same source for $210. Among Territorial coins, an 1860 $10 with a view of Pikes Peak, described as "Good," (probably meaning "nice" rather than a specific grade as understood today) was bought from Mehl in November 1940 for $22. In September 1940 Syracuse Stamp and Coin Company provided a Fine 1849 Mormon $5 for $25. Notations were kept through the mid-1940s, later supplemented for newer issues of current denominations with index cards and slips of paper tucked among the pages. The book is well used, completely intact with regard to notations and impressions, but with a few loose leaves and scotch tape repairs. One might imagine that Mr. Eliasberg carried it in his pocket during the 1930s and through the mid 1940s, referring to it often and making frequent entries. The Eliasberg Collection is the finest American cabinet ever formed and sold, with regard to completeness and overall quality, and Mr. Eliasberg used this Greens Checklist as a basis for his goal of completion. The present checklist represents an absolutely unique opportunity to acquire a memento that is, in a word, irreplaceable. It is perhaps the most valuable example of those that survive and an extraordinary record of the formation of this most famous collection. An important artifact for the finest numismatic library. Inspired by the same drive and desire for quality and significance that formulated the landmark Pogue Collections of coins and paper money, D. Brent Pogue acquired this at auction in 2010, for $51,750. It is arguably one of the most important numismatic inventories ever created and it is indeed a <em>Pogue quality</em> piece of numismatic history.From the D. Brent Pogue Library. Earlier ex Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Louis E. Eliasberg, Jr., by descent; our (Stack’s) sale featuring selections from the Louis E. Eliasberg, Jr. Estate, March 2010, lot 454.
