In the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, a holiday donation kettle within bell-ringing distance of Napa Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods stores was manned, er, Santa-ed by Napa Kiwanis volunteers who collected cash to help fund Salvation Army holiday meal programs. When last weekend’s haul was counted, one coin immediately stood out: a 22-karat South African Krugerrand.
Mystery donor
On Sunday, Salvation Army officers told CBS News they had no idea who dropped the one-ounce gold coin into their red Christmas collection kettle and hoped the costly currency was an anonymous albeit intentional donation.
“It is a bit of a mystery who donated the coin and how intentional it was … my hope is that whoever donated it knew what they were doing, and it was an intentional gift.” Salvation Army Officer Grant Hansen
Salvation Army Capt. Larry Carmichael noted the unlikelihood that anyone would carry such a coin by mistake, adding:
“We are incredibly grateful for this generous and thoughtful donation.It’s a reminder of the power of community and the incredible impact one person canmake. Every donation, large or small, helps us change lives”
Potential value of the generous bullion coin donation in Napa
Larger, shinier, and heavier than coins used to feed vending machines, parking meters, and tip jars, 91.67% pure 22-karat gold Krugerrands comprise one troy ounce of gold and may be worth thousands of US dollars.
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