Golden Balls were a part of their marketing image and they still make brass plated .22 Golden Bullets. Their labels are often "Remington Green" in color and their plastic .22 ammo boxes are yellow in color to go along with their Golden Bullet theme even when the bullets in the box are just plain lead. Their marketing image conveys that there ammunition is as good as gold. Even their earlier percussion caps had primer material that was golden in color which has now evolved into an opaque green material that's said to be even hotter and more reliable. It's part of their overall image that has become part of their corporate hallmark.
A lot of folks may have even thought that the brass plated balls wouldn't transfer as much lead on to their fingers during loading.
