Anyone who reads Numismatic News knows of Dave Harper. Pretty busy guy overall and taking on more chores in the paper since Krause moved from Iola, Wi. to new headquarters. But I fear he is either running out of good ideas or maybe getting a bit senile. In a recent piece he did, he heaps praise On Littleton Coin Co. for their innovative idea of helping collectors to complete their Presidential coin albums by stickering or colorizing past issues with the images of live Presidents. He justifies this idea by saying collectors "want completeness in their collections". I don't know about any of you, but to me this is total nonsense. Littleton is selling these sets for $26.95. We all know very well these coins will be worth nothing more than their face value because they are essentially altered and damaged coins once this is done. This is not about completeness, it's all about preying on the unknowing, greed for money. That's it, bottom line. And I say shame on Mr. Harper for this foolish notion. How long have we all tried to steer collectors in the right direction against trinkets and baubles that hold no numismatic value. A very bad step in trying to educate and influence collectors the wrong way. There is nothing to say, that at some time in the future when any current living Presidents pass away that the Mint will not do a special issue of any of them for real completeness. Buy what you like but don't go into it blind thinking these will ever have any value above face. It's not over 'till it's over. IMHO.
As a beginner,lts very difficult to know who to believe,with a little knowledge,it's getting easier for me.lts because of people like you,who are straight shooters,that I'm learning so much.l may not have a million dollar collection,but to me it's awesome and authentic.l just love coins!!
On a similar note, please do not get me wrong or think I am implying they (Littleton) are dishonest. They are a reputable firm that has been in business since 1940's. They are simply way overpriced in everything they sell. Chalk up part of it to being so large, with a lot of overhead and a massive direct mail campaign. When I first started this hobby, I used them for buying many things. But I was very naïve at the time. It did not take long for me to find other alternatives. But that was also before the internet and living in a very rural area with no coin dealers and no way to get to ones 30 miles away. And they do grade their coins correctly but why would I want to pay $5.00 for a common date Buffalo nickel in very good condition. Or $30.00 for an American silver Eagle bullion coin.
I don't think we will ever know but anything is possible I guess. But actually, I just think he wasn't thinking when he wrote this. Some of his questions to readers lately have seemed to have not been well thought out.
When I got my loss leader coins, I canceled my subscription. I told them straight out I would buy from them and was looking forward to buying from them AT FAIR MARKET VALUE. And that everything they had was priced 2 and 3 times above that, and I can't do business that way.
Sure, but their enjoyment isn't the problem. The expectations such people often have are. This isn't necessarily Littleton's fault, but I don't recall ever seeing them make much of an effort to educate when hawking worthless novelties as if collectibles.
