Rare gold coin worth thousands dropped into Salvation Army bucket by anonymous holiday donor

One person was likely on "Santa's nice list" after dropping a special coin into a Salvation Army donation kettle on Christmas Eve.

Local Salvation Army staff in Washington, Pennsylvania, were collecting donations with their Red Kettles in front of a Giant Eagle grocery store. 

A generous donor dropped in a gold coin wrapped in a dollar bill that had been taped up with a note saying that he or she wanted to remain anonymous.

"Increased foot traffic around the holidays is critical for The Red Kettle campaign," said the spokesperson.

"In fact, during a typical year, nearly half of the donations that The Salvation Army receives (including donations to Red Kettles) come from October through December," the spokesperson added.

"Canadian gold maple leaf coins are fairly popular with investors as a way to buy gold bullion. Gold bullion pieces are those that are primarily valued for their gold content," said Zanca.

The coin is dated 1987 with an engraved inscription. 

"Assuming the person bought the coin in 1987, they would have paid an average price that year of $520. That's over 500% difference from the 1987 value," said Zanca, adding that the donation is "great" for the Salvation Army.

"One of the interesting aspects of gold coins is that they can be gifted/donated in a private manner," said Zanca. 

This is not the first time the Salvation Army has received a gold coin in one of its kettles, as in the last four years the organization has literally struck gold across the U.S.

In Farming Hills, Michigan, two sovereign coins were dropped in along with a 10-ruble coin.

A gold coin worth $3,000 was found in a kettle in Monmouth, Oregon.

Services such as alcohol/substance abuse recovery, clothing assistance, rent/mortgage/utility assistance, school supplies and more will be helped thanks to the coins.