Gold coin dropped in Salvation Army kettle

An anonymous donor has spread the Christmas cheer by placing a $10 (£5) gold coin into a Salvation Army kettle at the West Park Mall in Missouri.

The American Eagle coin was introduced in 1986 and is worth more than its face value according to Salvation Army major Ben Stillwell.

After consulting with two coin dealers, Mr Stillwell claimed that the coin is worth in the region of $125 (£63.50) to $130 (£66) and once the coin is sold, the resulting sum will go towards the Salvation Army.

"It is a wonderful, generous tradition whoever has been doing it," Mr Stillwell told the Southeast Missourian.

He continued by saying: "It is a very good time for it to show up."

Mike Sprouse, owner of River City Coins and Jewellery, argued that the quotes that Mr Stillwell had received were less than the price the coin retailed for in his store. He explained that he purchased such coins for $160 (£81) and sold them for $175 (£89).

This donation follows a spate of similar gestures at Salvation Army collection points across the US. The Register Mail reported that last week a gold coin worth $50 (£25) had been dropped into a kettle in Sandburg Mall, Illinois.