Does anyone know if these sets were actually issued by the mint or was there a process done to these coins post mint? I have one set that has amazing toning on it from this set and would like to know if it'd still be able to grade? Only reason I'm thinking they can't be graded was these were with Gold and Platinum edition coins... so I'm guessing this one is layered as well? I know the mint sometimes did satin finished coins so I'm curious. This is what the set looks like, having some problems with my iPhone so I can't take any pictures just yet<Thanks IOS8!>
For a brief span of years in the mid 2000's, the coins included in the Mint Sets were struck using a matte, or 'satin' finish. These are two such coins, pulled from a Mint Set. They have not been altered (although I understand your hesitation, you do often see these nickels with their gold plated and colorized counterparts.)
To answer the OP's original question, No. What you have displayed was not an official US Mint issue. The US Mint version's would have been in a plastic lens similar to a Proof Set.
The Satin Mint Set was issued in a cello pak, not a plastic case, but the one shown by the OP is an aftermarket issue. As a rule, coins that were deemed incapable of receiving a high grade from a TPG were used for this purpose. Chris
I bought my westward journey collection from HSN. These sets came from them. The coins in the sets did come from the US mint. They did plate some of the coins in the set.
the westward journey set came in a plastic lens but the mint set satin coins came in a cello pack with the other coins of that year.
