Why does RSM not offer single circulation coins or banknotes?
RSM mostly purchases products directly from commercial national mints or central banks with their own commercial departments. In most countries, the national currency is the property of the central bank, and mints have to buy coins back from the central bank in order to produce and market coin sets, proof sets, commemorative coins etc. The seignorage (the difference between cost price and face value) is the profit for the Central Bank, and the selling price to the national mints is most commonly the face value of the currency. As the profit in the sales of regular circulating coins therefore belongs to the Central Bank, most mints do not actively market coins in rolls, bags, lots etc. where there is no added value. Banknotes are most often handled directly by the Central Banks for direct distribution to national commercial banks, and commercial activity is therefore very limited.
