For the past 25 years or so, rare gold and silver coins have been dropped in holiday charity kettles across the country by anonymous donors. It’s become somewhat of a tradition for charities to find rare coins in the kettles stationed outside of retail stores during the holiday shopping season. It’s people’s way of leaving a donation that is larger than it seems upon first glance so they can slip back into the crowd unnoticed—a pure random act of kindness.
Some of these donors remain completely unknown, while others leave notes that explain their motives but leave their identity a mystery. One of these latter individuals has left a gold coin wrapped in a $100 bill in a charity kettle every year for the past seven years. He explained in a letter that he worked as a firefighter in Spokane and, though now retired, he remembers how much the charity supported him and his fellow firefighters. He recalled volunteers showing up at the scene of major fires with coffee and sandwiches for the firemen.
There have been numerous other instances of rare coins wrapped in dollars (or bank notes of higher denominations) being dropped into charity kettles. Some of the many coins found include:
- 1893 Liberty Gold Eagle
- Silver Double Eagle
- 1944 Mexican Centavos
- American Gold Eagle
- 1902 British Trade Dollar
- 1922 Peace Silver Dollar
- 1902 Indian Head Penny
It’s not uncommon for thousands of dollars to be donated each holiday season in the form of bullion coins. A few individuals have even dropped in rings as donations. As these items are discovered, the charity has them appraised. They’re often sold so the funds can be deposited and used to further the charity’s goals.
With these generous donations, many children and families in need have been given food, shelter, and holiday gifts. Every donation counts—from regular quarters to bullion and rare coins. At Provident, we’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who embraces the giving spirit of the season to help others.
Beyond giving, you can commemorate the season by purchasing one of the many beautiful holiday-themed bullion coins and bars we offer. This bullion, such as the 10 oz Snowflake Silver Bar, make a lovely addition to your home’s seasonal decor, as well as your personal investment portfolio.
The holiday season is a time to celebrate what you have and give as you can. What’s your favorite way to give back to the community?
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