U.S. Mint Uncirculated Coin Set
For the first time, the United States Mint offered complete packaged sets of Uncirculated coins to the public. These offerings allowed collectors to more easily obtain examples of each coin struck for circulation from each of the mint facilities and also created a new type of collectible.
The 1947 Mint Set (Buy on eBay) actually contained two examples of each coin issued for circulation. The purpose of this was presumably to allow collectors to view both the obverse and reverse of the coins within the original holders, which only allowed one side of the coins to be viewed.
Each set contained a total of 28 coins with a face value of $4.46. Specifically, this included two examples each of the Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, and Washington Quarter from the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints, as well as Walking Liberty Half Dollars from Philadelphia and Denver. The latter represented the final issues of the popular series of half dollars.
The issue price from the United States Mint was $4.87 per set, representing a premium of only 41 cents above the face value. Total sales were approximately 5,000 units. Exact figures would not be kept for the first few years of availability.
Packaging for the 1947 Mint Set consisted of three cardboard holders with paper flaps attached, which opened on one side to reveal the coins. The three holders were placed within a single envelope and sent by registered mail. Sets within the original packaging are scarce, as many have been broken up over the years.
1947 Mint Set Information:
- Coins per Set: 28
- Face Value: $4.46
- Original Issue Price: $4.87
- Mintage: 5,000 (approx.)
