1948 Uncirculated Mint Set
The United States Mint offered the 1948 Mint Set (Buy on eBay) as a way for collectors to obtain examples of each of the coins issued for circulation for the year. The pricing for the product was reasonable and mainly consisted of the face value of the included coins plus the cost of shipping by registered mail.
Each set included two examples of each coin from each mint, which leads them to sometimes be called double mint sets. The year’s coins included the cent, nickel, dime, and quarter from the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. Rounding out the offering were half dollars from the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, as production for the denomination did not take place at San Francisco. This year actually represented the first year of issue for the Franklin Half Dollar.
The 28 coins with a face value of $4.46 were available from the US Mint for $4.92 per set. Exact sales records were not maintained for the 1948 Mint Set, but they are estimated at 6,000 units.
The 1948 Mint Set was packaged in three cardboard holders, with each holder representing a different mint. There were two holes for each denomination, where the coins were placed displaying the obverse and reverse designs. The three holders were placed within a paper envelope for mailing and storage. Because of the sulfur content of the packaging, the coins within these early mint sets have usually toned over time. This “mint set toning” can be attractive or sometimes uneven and unattractive. Premiums are paid for coins, which display original color toning.
1948 Mint Set Information
Mintage: approximately 6,000
Coins Per Set: 28
Face Value: $4.46
Original Issue Price: $4.92
