Is Littleton Coin Company Worth It? In-Depth Review

Are you eyeing collectible coins from Littleton Coin Company but wondering if the investment pays off?

Founded in 1945 by Maynard Sundman, this U.S.-based pioneer of the coins-on-approval system offers quality products with reliable shipping and secure packaging. 

Drawing on Trustpilot reviews and comparisons to competitors like Ampex, this in-depth review evaluates customer service, pricing, and value to help you decide if Littleton is worth your trust.

Key Takeaways:

• Littleton Coin Company is a legitimate, family-owned business since 1945, with strong customer feedback praising its reliable coins-on-approval system for hassle-free collecting.
• Offers diverse collectible coins, currency, and supplies at competitive prices, though some drawbacks include higher shipping costs compared to online competitors.
• Excels in U.S.-based customer service and easy returns, making it worth it for beginners and serious collectors seeking quality and historical authenticity.

Is Littleton Coin Company Legitimate and Reliable?

Started in 1945 by Maynard Sundman in Littleton, New Hampshire, Littleton Coin Company leads in selling collectible coins and supplies. They created the Coins on Approval system so you can check items before buying, a customer-friendly approach that echoes practices at other regional dealers- our in-depth review of Rare Coins of New Hampshire explores how such models operate in the area.

Reputation and Customer Feedback

Littleton Coin Company shines with great reviews on Trustpilot.

Customers love the helpful service, secure orders, and great coin selection. The company earns a 4.7 out of 5 rating from over 1,200 Trustpilot reviews, with many praising fast delivery and strong packaging.

Here's what customers say:

• Jackie Broerman: 'Items arrived quickly and securely packed in excellent condition.'
• Sarah Jenkins: 'Resolved my order issue within 24 hours-outstanding service.'
• Tom Reilly: 'Coins were beautifully varied and authenticated as promised.'
• Heather: 'I received the unique coins in good condition, well protected.'
• Trinity: 'The customer service is helpful in resolving issues efficiently via the user-friendly website, where I appreciate the detailed information on each item.'

Minor delays happen in peak seasons for about 5% of orders, but quick fixes keep customers happy.

What Products Does LCC Offer?

Littleton Coin Company offers a wide range of collectible coins, paper money, and supplies. These come from the U.S. Mint and other trusted sources, perfect for coin fans. For an extensive analysis of this dealer, our in depth review examines its offerings in detail.

Numismatics is the hobby of collecting and studying coins.

Collectible Coins, Paper Currency, and Supplies

Littleton Coin Company sells a great selection of high-quality collectible coins, like the Silver Eagle and Mercury Dimes. They also offer historical paper money and basic supplies, such as albums and holders.

Everything comes from trusted sources to guarantee it's real and keeps its value over time.

Check out their full catalog. It's sorted into easy sections for different types of collecting.

Coins:

• Girl Scout Quarters: Fun designs celebrating young achievements. Great for themed collections.
• American Indian Series: Buffalo Nickels featuring cultural motifs. Ideal for exploring historical significance.
• Lincoln Cents: Varieties including wheat pennies. Enables a thorough presidential collection.

Paper Currency:

• Confederate Notes: Intricately engraved with Civil War-era vignettes. Provides profound insights into American history.
• Fractional Currency: Post-Civil War scrip with patriotic themes. Suitable for scholars of economic history.

Supplies:

• Protective Packaging Kits: Acid-free sleeves and slabs. Protects items from oxidation and environmental damage.
• Custom Albums: Pre-labeled pages for organization and display. Facilitates easy access and preservation.

Littleton Coin Company often partners with the United States Mint.

These partnerships create helpful programs, like starting a Lincoln Cent collection with uncirculated coins. Uncirculated means the coins are brand new and untouched, which can help their value grow over time.

Pros of Buying from LCC

Buy from Littleton Coin Company and get top-quality coins in great shape. They ship securely, and customers love the wide choice and smooth service.

Over 90% of Trustpilot reviews praise the quality and packaging. Here are the main perks:

• A huge selection of unique coins like rare Morgan Dollars. Experts from the American Numismatic Association say they can boost your collection's value by up to 15%.
• Prompt and dependable shipping options through USPS or UPS, including comprehensive tracking, with deliveries typically completed within 3 to 5 days.
• Attentive customer service that resolves 95% of issues within 24 hours, as reported by the company.
• The Coins-on-Approval program lets you inspect coins for 10 days and return them easily.
• This helps you make smart buys. Customers say Silver Eagles hold 20-30% more value than regular resales.

Cons and Potential Drawbacks

Most customers love Littleton Coin Company. But some mention delays in shipping and loyalty program pricing.

Trustpilot reviews point out four main issues. Here they are, with fixes from company rules:

1. Shipping delays ranging from 7 to 10 days during peak periods; customers are advised to monitor orders through USPS Informed Delivery for real-time tracking updates.
2. Prices run 10-15% higher on some coins like Mercury Dimes. Use the 60-day quality guarantee for easy returns if needed.
3. Challenges in fulfilling custom orders, exemplified by delays in the Bible Stories Collection; the company's dedicated customer service team addresses such matters within 48 hours, in accordance with policy.
4. Confusion surrounding redemption limits in the points program; users should consult the FAQ for details on annual caps and reach out to support for further clarification to optimize reward utilization.

Is the Pricing Worth It Compared to Competitors?

Littleton prices are 5% to 20% above market for coins like the Girl Scout Quarter. This extra cost pays off with better quality and service compared to Govmint or Ampex.

The following table presents a side-by-side comparison based on current market data for American Silver Eagles, a widely recognized benchmark coin:

CoinWeek's 2023 surveys give Littleton a 4.8 out of 5 for value in authentication.

Pick Littleton for special coins like the American Indian series. Use Ampex for bulk buys to save money while keeping quality high, or explore similar wholesale alternatives as detailed in our Is Wholesale Coins Direct Worth It? In-Depth Review.

How Does the Coins-on-Approval System Work?

Littleton started the coins-on-approval system in 1945. It sends you hand-picked collectible coins and supplies to check out before buying.

This way, you make smart choices about what to keep.

To get started, follow these simple steps:

1. Sign up on Littleton Coin Company's website or call their toll-free number. It takes about five minutes and costs nothing. Just provide your basic contact info.
2. You'll get a monthly shipment of 5 to 10 carefully picked items. Examples include Mercury Dimes, Silver Eagles, Girl Scout Quarters, Bible Stories coins, or coin albums. They arrive by USPS in safe packaging within 7 to 10 days, much like the delivery model used by Bullion By Post, though tailored for U.S. collectors.
3. Look over the items in 7 to 10 days. Use the info sheets to check if they're real and estimate their worth.
4. Return any undesired items utilizing the enclosed prepaid shipping label, entitling you to a complete refund without further inquiry.
5. Remit payment solely for retained items through secure billing, with charges applied following the conclusion of the review period.

The whole process takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Many people miss return deadlines. Set calendar reminders to stay on track and make your collecting experience better.

Customer Service and Return Policies Evaluated

Littleton Coin Company offers top-notch customer service. They respond quickly and have policies that make returns easy and fix problems fast.

This keeps customers happy.

Here are the main ways they deliver great service:

1. 24/7 chat on the website and phone support via 1-800 number. They respond in under five minutes for urgent questions.
2. A comprehensive 30-day return policy for unapproved items, providing full refunds accompanied by prepaid shipping labels.
3. A special team handles issues with item condition. For example, they quickly replaced Heather's damaged Lincoln Cent. They also fixed Jackie Broerman's problems with her Trinity and American Indian coins.
4. Extensive educational resources, including grading guides, to enable customers to make well-informed purchasing decisions.
5. A loyalty rewards program that offers points redeemable for discounts on subsequent orders, incentivizing repeat business.

These features lead to a 95% resolution rate on Trustpilot. They also offer fast refunds for shipping delays, boosting customer satisfaction.

But What Sets Littleton Apart Historically?

Littleton Coin Company stands out in numismatics.

• Before the internet, this service let collectors try US Mint coins before buying with no upfront costs. American Numismatic Association records note this innovation.
• Littleton maintains strict quality control at their New Hampshire headquarters. Experts grade coins for authenticity, meeting standards that beat competitors like Ampex and Govmint, per PCGS analyses and this piece on APMEX's potential acquisition.

The Sundman family has led the company for generations.

They grew from mail-order roots to a trusted catalog and online site.

They stick to core values while adapting.

This builds trust, with over 4.8 stars on Trustpilot.

It creates a strong coin collecting community.

1. In the late 1940s, they introduced the coins-on-approval system. This let customers check coins before buying and made them a top U.S. seller.
2. In the 1970s, Littleton added paper money and supplies. They sent catalogs to millions yearly.
3. In the 1990s, they launched a website with secure online orders. This increased revenue by 40%.
4. By 2025, digital upgrades like augmented reality (AR) will let you view coins in 3D. AR is tech that overlays digital images on the real world.

One key takeaway from their story? Stay flexible with USPS rules for smooth shipping.

They've hit a 99% on-time delivery rate since 1950.

Headquarters and U.S.-Based Operations

The headquarters sits at 1309 Mount Eustis Rd in Littleton, New Hampshire. It handles secure orders and ships reliably via USPS and UPS.

The building covers over 50,000 square feet. It stores tons of rare coins, gold and silver bullion, and coin-collecting supplies for quick order filling.

• Follows American Numismatic Association (ANA) standards for coin experts.
• Meets U.S. rules from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect buyers.
• Guarantees real products and fair business.

Orders flow smoothly from the website to the warehouse using ERP software, which plans business resources. Most ship in 24 to 48 hours.

They use special packaging that shows if it's been tampered with. Plus, everything is insured to cut shipping risks.

No international shipping delays reported. Customers rate deliveries 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot for speed and safety.