The numbering may or may not appear on the same source as the title proper. In many periodicals, part of the numbering appears on the cover while the full designation appears only on the editorial page or in the masthead. Per CONSER (in accordance with RDA), the source for determining the numbering for a serial is enumerated below in order of preference. (CCM:8.3.1a)
a.The source from which the title proper was recorded
b.Another source within the issue
c.One of the other sources of information specified at RDA 2.2.4.
CONSER catalogers generally prefer a source with the most complete presentation of the numbering (any sequence of sequence of numerals, letters, and/or dates) provided it appears prominently or is stated formally. “Most complete” does not necessarily mean that the components of the numbering are spelled out, only that they are present. (CCM:8.3.1b) Completeness is desirable because it simplifies the (588) Description based on note.
As every serialist knows, completeness is not always available. When the serial has both a numeric and a chronological designation, each part of the designation may be taken from different sources. Each part of the numbering is selected as a separate entity and then joined with the appropriate punctuation. (CCM:8.3.1c)
The lack of completeness in source of numbering information sometimes complicates the source identified in the Description based on not.
Cover (Source of title proper) has: November/December 2013; table of contents has: Volume 4, Number 6 (November/December 2013)
Record 588 as:
588 0# Vol. 4, no. 6 (November/December 2013); title from cover.