It Happened Here

[Towntalk]

The Salvation Army of Mahoning County got an early Christmas gift when a gold coin worth almost $1,700 was found in a red kettle on Thursday. 

A 1-ounce United States gold eagle coin was dropped in a red kettle at the Giant Eagle in Canfield. On Monday at Ace Diamond Jewelry Brokers in Boardman, the coin was appraised and sold back for a donation of nearly $1,650 dollars.

Gold coins like the one found in this area have been showing up in kettles across the country.

"I am just ecstatic that we were able to find one in one of our kettles here in Mahoning County. It's a good way. It came at a critical time when we are making a final push to end our campaign," said Maj. Elijah Kahn of the Salvation Army of Mahoning County.

Monday night is the last chance to donate to the Red Kettle Campaign. Salvation Army volunteers will be collecting until 8:30 p.m.

"We buy quite a few coins like this, but that was the unique feature. You hear about those stories about people dropping valuable coins in Salvation Army baskets and for one to happen here was sort of neat. It's something you always hear about and you never think that you might be part of that excitement but we were today," said Jim Eckman of Ace Diamond & Jewerly Brokers.

Kahn said the agency would like to thank the anonymous donor.

"It came at just the right time and it's going to be put to good use to help those in need in Mahoning County year round. Not just this Christmas, but year round," Kahn said.

Although it's the first time the Salvation Army in Mahoning County has seen a gold coin, Eckman said the coins are popular at the shop.

"You can go into any coin dealer or pawn shop in the United States and buy or sell these and most places around the world, gold is often treated as a currency just like a dollar. Or a euro," Eckman said.

As of Monday, the Salvation Army of Mahoning County has collected $293,000 in its Red Kettle campaign. The agency's goal this year was $305,000.