Littleton Coin Company Review

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Littleton Coin Company has been selling collectible coins since 1945, growing from a one-room operation in Littleton, New Hampshire, into one of the largest numismatic dealers in the United States.

Today the company operates out of an 85,000-square-foot facility, carries more than 33,000 items, and ships coins to collectors across the country. For anyone considering buying from them  whether for the first time or after years away here is a thorough look at what the company actually offers, what it costs, and where it falls short.

Key Takeaways

• Littleton Coin Company is a 100% employee-owned business with 80 years of history and one of the largest coin inventories in the U.S.
• Prices run 15–30% higher than many competitors, particularly for bullion and popular collectibles.
• The Coins-on-Approval program lets buyers examine selections at home before committing, with no obligation to purchase.

Company Background

Maynard Sundman founded the business in December 1945 after returning from World War II. He started with stamps before recognizing the numismatic market's potential in the early 1950s.

By 1954 the company had 60 employees and changed its name to Littleton Stamp & Coin Company. Numismatic sales eventually surpassed stamp sales by the mid-1970s, and the operation formally became Littleton Coin Company shortly after.

Sundman's oldest son David became president in 1985. The company has since transitioned to 100% employee ownership, a structure that gives staff a direct stake in how the business performs.

Today it employs more than 200 people and generates upwards of 2 million pieces of mail per year between catalogs, approvals, and correspondence.

The physical retail location at 1309 Mt. Eustis Road in Littleton, NH, is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Walk-in visitors describe it more accurately as a mail-order company with a showroom than a traditional coin shop.

There is a display area and a world coin chest where individual coins can be purchased for $0.25 each or a bag for $10.00.

Inventory and Product Selection

The catalog spans U.S. coins, world coins, ancient coins, paper money, and collecting supplies. With more than 33,000 items listed, the selection is among the broadest available from any single American dealer.

The depth of the catalog is a genuine advantage over most competitors. Customers consistently note that Littleton carries coins that other dealers simply do not stock, particularly for mid-range collectibles that are too obscure for big-box retailers but too common for specialist auction houses.

Quality Control

Littleton's graders inspect approximately five million coins per year by hand, rejecting close to 50% of what the company acquires. Only coins that pass internal standards make it into inventory.

This is not a marketing claim unique to Littleton, but the rejection rate is notably high compared to what most dealers disclose publicly.

All purchases come with a 45-day money-back guarantee. Returns are accepted without requiring a specific reason, which gives buyers meaningful protection when ordering coins they have not examined in person.

The Coins-on-Approval Program

The approval system is the feature that defines Littleton's business model and separates it from most competitors. The mechanics are straightforward:

• An initial trial shipment is sent at a discounted price ($29.95 for the first selection, which includes a free "How to Collect Coins" booklet).
• Subsequent monthly shipments arrive for a 15-day home examination period.
• Buyers keep what they want and return the rest with no obligation to purchase anything.
• Shipments can be paused, accelerated, or canceled at any time through the account management page.
• Every dollar spent earns 10 Rewards Points redeemable through the Littleton Rewards catalog.

Littleton reports that fewer than 10% of approval recipients have proven problematic over the program's history, which is a notable figure given the system is built entirely on trust without requiring upfront payment for each shipment.

The company tailors future selections based on what buyers keep and return, so the assortment tends to improve the longer someone participates.

One friction point worth knowing: the approval program ships only to U.S. and APO/FPO addresses. International buyers cannot access this service.

Pricing: Where Littleton Stands vs. Competitors

This is the most consistent complaint across review platforms. Prices at Littleton tend to run 15–30% above competitors like APMEX, Govmint, and the U.S. Mint on many items, particularly bullion and high-demand modern issues. Some reviewers have noted specific coins costing $13–15 more per piece than alternative dealers.

The pricing premium makes sense in context. Littleton's model is built around curation, hand-grading, a broad catalog, and service infrastructure. Buyers who want the lowest per-coin price on common items will consistently find better deals on the secondary market or through dealers with lower overhead.

Customer Service and Ordering Experience

Phone support runs Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, at 1-800-645-3122. Live chat is available during the same hours. Email contact is available through the website's contact form.

Standard orders are processed within 2 business days. Standard delivery takes up to 10 business days after processing; rush delivery brings that down to 3 business days. Multiple reviewers on Trustpilot and Yelp praise shipping speed and packaging quality, though some have noted that thinner items like glassine envelopes can arrive damaged.

Customer experiences on review platforms break into a recognizable pattern. Satisfied buyers typically highlight the selection, the approval program, and staff knowledge. Dissatisfied buyers most often cite:

• Orders refunded without explanation when items show as in-stock on the website
• Communication gaps during delays or inventory changes
• Intermittent issues with the website's checkout and live chat functions
• Confusion around the approval club billing process, particularly for new customers

Littleton holds BBB accreditation and responds to complaints through that platform. The pattern of complaints does not suggest systemic dishonesty, but communication during order exceptions is an area that reviewers flag consistently.

Who Is Littleton Coin Company For?

The company serves a specific type of buyer well. It is not the best option for everyone.

Good fit:

• Beginning collectors who want curated selections and educational support
• Collectors building specialized sets who need a broad catalog in one place
• Buyers who value the approval program's try-before-you-buy structure
• Anyone prioritizing quality assurance and a guaranteed return policy over getting the lowest price

Probably not the right fit:

• Price-focused buyers sourcing bullion or common modern coins
• International buyers outside the U.S. and APO/FPO addresses
• Collectors who prefer auction dynamics or want to negotiate on price

Trust Score Snapshot

The gap between Trustpilot and Sitejabber scores is worth noting. Trustpilot skews toward direct-purchase buyers who had smooth transactions; Sitejabber captures more complaints about the approval club billing experience.

Both data sets are accurate representations of different segments of Littleton's customer base.