Littleton Coin Company

Let me add my 3 ceents worth (inflation?) I have ordered some supplies from Littleton in the past. The main dealer I use by mail has their supplies for less than Littleton charges.

Their coin prices are waaay too high. Their main audience, though, isn't the experienced coin collector. When they use such phrases as "collector-preferred" for uncirculated, and "layered in precious 24k gold" , it is clear to me that they are aiming for a much more general public than the true numismatist.

When I stopped approval service from them, I pointed out that their prices were anywhere from 3 to 4 times RedBook on very common coins. I am fully aware that RedBook is not a price list, but it is a general guide. I got back a rather snippy letter from them, but they stopped the approvals.

I did my stint with LCC for a couple of years in the early 80's. Many of my common date Wheaties and buffaloes were bought from their approval service. It fit my tween-age budget as each shipment was cheap enough for me to buy and fill holes. I felt they were a little overpriced, but buying such a small volume of coins from another dealer would not be any cheaper considering the minimum S&H charge would increase the total cost. At least that is how I saw it then.

Every now and then I purchase coins and coin supplies from them. I buy their albums because I prefer the look of them over the Dansco albums. I find that most of their prices are running close to what I am paying at my local coin shop. For example A 2008 SAE is going for $26 from Littleton and from my local coin shop it is going for $23. I like the convenience of ordering and having it show up at my door. I don't always have time to go to the store to pick something up.

My only complaint about them is that when I bought paper money from them on approval back in the '60's and '70's, it was folded in the approval envelope. You can all imagine what "unciruculated" paper money that is folded in three places is worth....... :) Oh well.