...after years and years of saying that I've NEVER seen a good coin in a Littleton cello... ...this coin shows up today at the flea market... 1955 Franklin Half FS-401 "Bugs Bunny" Original wrapper says only "1955 Franklin Half UNC." and has a price of $25. Also the first time I've seen a toned coin in a Littleton holder.
I have seen good coins in Littleton holders. Sure they are pricey when purchased, and many are very common coins, but no one has ever successfully accused them of overgrading or selling problem coins. Everything they sell in my opinion are good coins, maybe just overpriced or common TODAY.
I just don't think I've ever seen a toned coin, or a variety, in a Littleton cello. So today was two firsts rolled into the same coin.
I've seen tons of low-MS silver coins (Roosevelts and Franklins, especially) and lots of mid-grade MS 1940's and 50's Lincoln Wheat Cents. Not knocking those coins...but to me the silver coins are just nice BV coins and the Wheaties you can find at most coin shops. Just common stuff, IMO. I don't think I'd call this coin common (in the context of being in a Littleton holder.)
I bought a 1909-S Lincoln once in a Littleton cello. Not a bad coin. Plastic holder said VF, and I agree.
That looks like a nice one. And it looks FBL (these are very common, but are somewhat hard to find attractively toned with FBL)
Littleton has been around for along time, and I can remember as a kid getting caught up in their business practices. They sell you a mess of coins for like .99 cents. I was a kid and knew no better as then the next thing you knew you were getting coins on a daily basis. Now you had to return the coins you didn't want but we're tied in to making so many purchases a month. Gee what a mess and again the coins were nothing special just run of the mill over priced coins. Sort of the same deal as Capital records had as I learned my lesson but my buddy did not heed my situation and got caught up in the same deal with buying records. Yup 12 LPS records .99 cents and then buying 12 more at CLUB prices in the next 12 months! Why the things we do?
Good question. Don't get me wrong, I like receiving coins from Littleton. Both me and my mother used to order them, and probably looked at 1,500+ coins in those cellophane packages over the years.
For those of you unaware, a '55 bugs graded ms65 FBL is moon money... waaaaaaaay up there! Disclaimer: i doubt this coin would grade a 65 fbl but hey- send it to ICG
The coins were mostly MS condition. They were mostly common, and just generic MS grades to the best of my knowledge. It has now been some years since we did business with them, so I forgot specific details beyond this point. Since my mom died, I just have not wanted to order coins, and Numismatic News periodicals, anymore.
Franklins are weird like that, ive heard horror storys of people being offered melt for a complete set of nice BU's.... Another example, my buddy had a 1949 S 65 FBL, that coin lists for like $600-$700. I think he sold it on the bay for $200.... This is why i dont go after Franklins unless they have really nice toning, which are few and far