Simple Questions Re 50s Mint Sets

RichR

1. Were the cardboard holders from early 50s mint sets open on only one side or both sides (ie, were both side of all the coins viewable...or only one side)?

2. In your experience, were the coins in the double sets usually displayed half obverse/half reverse facing up...or random depending on who originally packed them?

I only ask because I've had limited exposure to these sets until recently.

LanLord

<< <i>1. Were the cardboard holders from early 50s mint sets open on only one side or both sides (ie, were both side of all the coins viewable...or only one side)?

2. In your experience, were the coins in the double sets usually displayed half obverse/half reverse facing up...or random depending on who originally packed them?

I only ask because I've had limited exposure to these sets until recently. >>



The cardboard was open all the way through, but the paper on most, but not all was glued to the paper, so you could only see one side.

I am not sure if you'd ever be certain of question #2 unless you received it from the mint as they've probably all been messed with by the original owners.

NumisMe

<< <i>1. Were the cardboard holders from early 50s mint sets open on only one side or both sides (ie, were both side of all the coins viewable...or only one side)? >>



Ideally the tissue paper was supposed to be glued along the top edge of the back of the cardboard to allow viewing of both sides, however in many instances (not all) they got a little over zealous with the glue and wound up sealing the tissue over the entire back of the cardboard. Of the many sets that I have owned, or viewed, it was a toss-up as to what you would find in the envelope.



<< <i>2. In your experience, were the coins in the double sets usually displayed half obverse/half reverse facing up...or random depending on who originally packed them? >>



They were originally packed half and half, but as pointed out by LanLord, they quite often got turned by previous owners.


Cheers !