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 Replies: 6 / Views: 1,823 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1227 Posts |
I'm a serious newbie to coin collecting and I have a question for anyone who's dealt with Littleton Coin Company: are their prices worth it? I sent in one of those Sunday-newspaper ads (buffalo nickel, V nickel, Indian-head penny for $5 per set) and was signed up to the Littleton e-mail list, and right now I have an e-mail open for a 1986 Statue of Liberty commem half-dollar for $10. They're saying this is 35% off the retail list price. I don't doubt that's 35% off their retail list price, but is it worth it? Amazon is offering the same coin, uncirculated and mounted, for $3.50, but they have only one at that price (everything else is up around $30) and I would need two. Can anybody who specializes in commems tell me if this would be a worthwhile investment for my nieces (who would be receiving the coins in about 20 years)? |
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Valued Member
United States
275 Posts |
nina
Google the Littleton Coin Company and read the reviews on them. You can probably get better grade coins at the same price or better from a regular dealer. It's nice to be able to buy a set like that but very seldom will you get anything of any value like that. Take advantage of the the expertise that is in this site and I'm sure you can do better.
The folks here are top shelf.
Edited by Mechman
04/25/2012 9:16 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1227 Posts |
Whoa. RipoffReport was one of the first sites that popped up . . . now I'm worried if I'll even get the sets I ordered previously (I'm still waiting; it's been about two weeks).
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12261 Posts |
Littleton has been around a very long time and is a strong supporter of the hobby -- they are a reputable firm. From my experience, they do tend to be a "full retail" coin dealer which means that you might often find lower prices from a local dealer or at a local coin show. As you say you are new to the area, it might be good to spend some time checking out multiple local sources (dealers, shows, etc.) before you buy too much more. Education and awareness can help you avoid pricey mistakes. Welcome to the hobby! The US commemorative series is a wonderful series to collect! (But I might be a little biased!  ) Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Littleton has reached out to find the collector who has never heard of a coin shop, show, etc. This is an expensive proposition, but allows them to charge premium prices because they have little competition.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1227 Posts |
Hi, commems! I've been a "casual collector" for a few years (read: since I started my first job at age 16 I've had the jar of wheathead pennies), but it's only in the last year or so that I started systematically collecting as a part-time hobby and an investment for my niece (and now for niece-in-waiting #2, also). This first Littleton purchase was the first time I'd ever bought a coin, with the exception of a Peace dollar someone had in their change at my work. Thanks for the advice! I believe there is a large coin show in the Phx metro area, so it might be worth my while to look it up. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Littleton has been around for a long time and knows how to find collectors that aren't aware of their competition. They are a great company, but they are way over priced. The best way to find deals, is to search around and compare.
And most of the modern commems aren't a good investment. I wouldn't look at numismatics at investing in, unless you really know what you are getting into and that takes many years of experience and knowledge. You'd have to do a ton of reading up on the many books that are published on it.
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Replies: 6 / Views: 1,823 |
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Posted 04/25/2012 9:36 pm
