Christmas Kettle - Anonymous Gold Coin Donations

Anonymous Gold Coin Donations

A tradition has developed in the United States where, in some places, gold coins are anonymously inserted into the kettles in which the bell ringers collect donations. The tradition appears to have started in the Midwest when the first known drop of a gold coin was put into a kettle in Crystal Lake, Illinois in 1982. Since this drop, many others have taken to dropping not only gold coins, but also other bullion and rare coins, gold medals, and jewelry.

Some of the finds include:

  • Various bullion coins.
    • American Gold Eagle
    • Krugerrand
  • Rare coins
    • United States Quarter Eagle
    • United States Double Eagle
    • Counterfeit 1804 silver dollar
  • Jewelry
    • ⅓-carat diamond ring
    • Five gold rings (invoking the song The Twelve Days of Christmas)
  • Check for $14,845.00
  • Gold teeth

In addition, Salvation Army kettles have also collected worthless items like candy, lint and other assorted trash.

Read more about this topic:  Christmas Kettle

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