Littleton Coin Company
Encyclopedia
Littleton Coin Company is a privately held major American mail order
and retail
company focused on numismatic
collectibles and based in Littleton, New Hampshire
. The company focuses largely on U.S. coins and world coins, as well as a variety of paper money
and ancient coins. Largely focused on direct mail, Littleton publishes catalogs several times yearly and has a "coins-on-approval" program.
in the 1930s. The company experienced steady growth, growing from 4 employees to 40 in 1950. Previously focused on stamps
, the numismatic business became significant enough to warrant a name change in 1954 to Littleton Stamp & Coin Company.
In 1974, Sundman purchased Mystic Stamp Company
of Camden, New York
and put his son, Donald Sundman, in charge of the newly acquired business. Later, in 1985, Maynard passed Littleton Coin Company on to his other son, David Sundman. Today Littleton Coin Company operates out of a 65000 square feet (6,038.7 m²) building that was built to house the growing business.
On October 31, 2007 Maynard Sundman died at the age of 92. His son David Sundman remained president of the company.
(such as the statehood quarter program
). They also have a variety of older products, ranging from ancient coins to silver dollar
s to pennies
.
Most of their coins come packaged in Mylar containers that have the coin's date, type, mint mark, and the item number. The company says that the packing is safe for long term storage.
Mail order
Mail order is a term which describes the buying of goods or services by mail delivery. The buyer places an order for the desired products with the merchant through some remote method such as through a telephone call or web site. Then, the products are delivered to the customer...
and retail
Retailing
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
company focused on numismatic
Numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects. While numismatists are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, the discipline also includes the broader study of money and other payment media used to resolve debts and the...
collectibles and based in Littleton, New Hampshire
Littleton, New Hampshire
Littleton is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,928 at the 2010 census. Situated at the edge of the White Mountains, Littleton is bounded on the northwest by the Connecticut River....
. The company focuses largely on U.S. coins and world coins, as well as a variety of paper money
Banknote
A banknote is a kind of negotiable instrument, a promissory note made by a bank payable to the bearer on demand, used as money, and in many jurisdictions is legal tender. In addition to coins, banknotes make up the cash or bearer forms of all modern fiat money...
and ancient coins. Largely focused on direct mail, Littleton publishes catalogs several times yearly and has a "coins-on-approval" program.
History
Littleton Coin Company was started in 1945 by Maynard and Fannie Sundman (originally named Littleton Stamp Company). Prior to establishing the company, Maynard had operated a small stamp business from his home in Bristol, ConnecticutBristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
in the 1930s. The company experienced steady growth, growing from 4 employees to 40 in 1950. Previously focused on stamps
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
, the numismatic business became significant enough to warrant a name change in 1954 to Littleton Stamp & Coin Company.
In 1974, Sundman purchased Mystic Stamp Company
Mystic Stamp Company
The Mystic Stamp Company, based in Camden, New York, since 1923, is a mail-order postage stamp dealer, one of the largest in operation and notable for both its promotion of stamp collecting as a hobby and for its acquisition of the Z Grill, the rarest United States stamp...
of Camden, New York
Camden (town), New York
Camden is a town in Oneida County, New York, USA. The population was 5,028 at the 2000 census.The town of Camden contains a village also called Camden. The town is in the northwest part of Oneida County and is northwest of the City of Rome.- History :...
and put his son, Donald Sundman, in charge of the newly acquired business. Later, in 1985, Maynard passed Littleton Coin Company on to his other son, David Sundman. Today Littleton Coin Company operates out of a 65000 square feet (6,038.7 m²) building that was built to house the growing business.
On October 31, 2007 Maynard Sundman died at the age of 92. His son David Sundman remained president of the company.
Product line
Littleton Coin Company has been transformed from a stamp and coin company to a strictly coin and paper money company. The company carries a number of coin products, including releases from the United States MintUnited States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
(such as the statehood quarter program
50 State Quarters
The 50 State Quarters program is the release of a series of circulating commemorative coins by the United States Mint. Between 1999 and 2008, it featured each of the 50 U.S. states on unique designs for the reverse of the quarter....
). They also have a variety of older products, ranging from ancient coins to silver dollar
Trade dollar
-United States:The United States trade dollar is a silver dollar coin that was issued by the United States Mint and minted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Carson City, and San Francisco from 1873 to 1885. Trade dollars intended for circulation were last produced in 1878 while proof coin production...
s to pennies
Cent (currency)
In many national currencies, the cent is a monetary unit that equals 1⁄100 of the basic monetary unit. Etymologically, the word cent derives from the Latin word "centum" meaning hundred. Cent also refers to a coin which is worth one cent....
.
Most of their coins come packaged in Mylar containers that have the coin's date, type, mint mark, and the item number. The company says that the packing is safe for long term storage.