The story of Double Mint Sets is fascinating. The Treasury did not, all of a sudden, decide to start issuing sets for collectors in 1947. In reality, too many dealers, in the late 30's, were ordering rolls for store stock. As a result, the Treasury announced they would limit orders to "two of each denomination from each mint".

As early as 1942 we know the Treasury issued these sets by the hundreds to collectors around the country in canvas bags.

By 1946 orders were into the thousands and the Treasury had to find a new way to package and mail the coins. Thus, the Double Mint Set as we know it today, was born. Issued from 1947 through 1958 these sets were housed in cardboard holders with overlaying paper flaps. Approximately 5000 sets were ordered in 1947 and 1948.

By 1958 sales soared to nearly 60,000 sets. Today only 10-15% of the original mintages are believed to exist. In 1959 the Treasury began issuing the sets as single sets. No mint sets were sold in 1950.