has anyone noticed that since 2002 or so the US Mint has only offered their commemorative coins in blue boxes and ALWAYS in seperate boxes for the different denominations. The latest example of this is the Old Mint Commems. The Mint used to offer these as a package deal, though not necessarily a savings per se. But, the chance to have the coins in one case and box would be convenient for collectors. I called the Mint to ask about this, and all I got was them referring me to the legislation, which I knew didn't address the packaging options. Can anyone shed any light on this?
I would imagine it's a cost saving venture to stick with blue, although most recently the John Marshall Coins & Chronicles set came in a red box, and the Franklin Coin & Chronicles came in a very nice green and turquoise case. I think those sets that are marked as 2 Coin or 3 Coin sets will come together in one package, otherwise single coins have always been issued in individual boxes to my knowledge.
The colors probably don't matter that much as to cost. The reason they dropped the two coin sets was probably because of low interest. Most people wanted one coin or the other and the number of two coin sets fairly small. Well it probably costs a certain amount to create the molding equipment for the holders and the embossing equipment for the boxes. That cost has to be divided by the number of holders/boxes made. The number of two coin sets ordered was always low and it just wasn't worth it to keep paying for the tooling work. If they want both coins that can order singles.
I really liked the multiple coin sets. They made for a much nicer presentation of the different coins.
