Here's what a true nodder expert replied to my (your) question:

"Yes overall the Gold base quality is below the others, there are exceptions but particularly the later runs were rife with problems. I think that they probably had some profit issues and decided to cut costs by reducing quality and using cheaper material. The paints, shellac and decals used all seem to be inferior to the earlier molds."

Tim Hunter was the ultimate Bobbing Head Guru for many years. He literally wrote the book on them. He always said the Gold Base Series was the toughest condition-wise because of what he called "that chippy chippy paint".

So something about the paint and varnish was indeed of lesser quality. Amazing that any of these survived in NRMT-MINT condition. They were marketed to kids and were just "asking" to be broken. :eek:

My modest Tiger nodded collection. Just picked up the mini a couple weeks ago.
Attachment 643873

Great little collection. I find it odd that certain teams (like my Giants) never used the body with the poked out elbow. I’ve said it before….I’d love to talk to an 80+ year old who worked in the nodder factory.

Nice collection, I'm disappointed the Cardinals have never done Curt Flood or Bill White bobbleheads, at least I haven't seen any for sale.

Guy on left is new. He is rare and was expensive. I just explained why in the "April pickups" thread. I'll save you the boredom and me the headache of explaining again. Part of why I love these guys are the very subtle differences. I now have 43 vintage SF Giants nodders. There is only one more I have ever seen but don't have and that one may or may not truly exist. Two pics I did not include in the "April pickups" thread are the third and fourth photo. Second from right in the third photo is also rare (the ball and glove are different than ANY other Giants doll) and note the Tacoma doll in the last picture (pinstriped body and chest decal rather than embossed). The other doll in the last pic is a wood base and everything else pretty much matches the 1960 Buddy Flex rubber nodder.

P.S. There may also be a few mini's I don't have. The mini bodies are all basically the same but there are long/short bat and sleeves/no sleeves variations for probably every head style.

Beautiful Dolls, and thanks for the lesson, Rob! Those subtle differences are something beyond cool, that only true diehard collectors would appreciate.

Great stuff, and congrats on picking up that awesome new Bobblehead.... it's a beauty!