By Siren.Aargon 2009-01-03 00:55:01
also...
"There is a different theory regarding the new Treasure Coffer system. Once a person opens a Coffer, and receives an item (either a Quest item, or a gil/prize), a cooldown time period begins. During the cooldown period, all subsequent Coffers which spawn will be "illusionary" Coffers. If a person who is not on a Quest attempts to open an "illusionary" Coffer, the Coffer will disappear, and the person will not receive any gil/prize. The person will still possess their Coffer Key. However, if a person who opens the "illusionary" Coffer IS on a Quest which requires the Coffer, that person WILL receive the Quest-related item. In other words, during the cooldown period, only players on relevant Quests are eligible to receive items from the "illusionary" Coffers. After the cooldown period expires, any existing "illusionary" Coffer in the zone reverts to a "real" Coffer. People who are not on a Quest can receive gil/prize from "real" Coffers only."
I think this second theory may be what is actually happening.