ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando-area Salvation Army Red Kettle struck gold on Thursday.
- 1904 $20 coin found in Salvation Army Red Kettle
- Gold coin estimated to be worth more than $1,300
- "It's not something we see every day," Salvation Army says
- SEE BELOW: A closer look of the rare coin ▼
Among the coins and folded bills in the kettle in front of the Publix at 7640 W. Sand Lake Rd., workers found a 1904 $20 coin made with an ounce of pure gold.
After workers found the coin, which was in a plastic case, the Salvation Army reached out to someone they knew who could assess its value, spokesman Shawn LaFata told Spectrum News 13.
They were told the coin is worth an estimated $1,350.
The group has gotten similar donations in the past, but "it's not something we see every day," LaFata said.
Salvation Army volunteers occasionally get fake money in their kettles, but "this is the real deal," he said. "We're just so grateful, and it certainly boosts our efforts."
The Salvation Army has provided food, clothing, disaster relief, shelter, and other social services to the Orlando area for almost 100 years.
"We are grateful for this generous donation and wish the donor a blessed Christmas season," Capt. Ken Chapman said in a news release.