Special coins dropped into The Salvation Army's red kettles could boost the $129,000 Christmastime total the corps reported recently.
A Krugerrand and several miscellaneous coins, along with a somewhat unusual five-dollar bill, are being offered for sealed bids.
Depositing Krugerrands - 1-ounce gold pieces from South Africa first minted in 1980 - in Salvation Army kettles has become an annual tradition of one or more anonymous benefactors in several U.S. cities, starting with Chicago and occurring in Shelby from about 2000.
Current gold pricing puts the coin's face value above $1,200.
The Shelby corps received several Krugerrands over the past years, but only one this year, said Shelby corps administrator Sgt. Les Ashby.
"For a while it seemed we may have gotten the same ones over and over, but perhaps those donors have passed on," he said.
This year's donor wrapped the coin with a note that read, "I hope others will be inspired to give generously," and quoted Psalm 107:8-9: "Give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love...for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."
For an appointment to inspect the coins, call Kiley Beaver at 704-482-0375. Appointments can be arranged Monday, Jan. 30, through Thursday, Feb. 2, starting at 9 a.m. Bids will be accepted through Monday, Feb. 6. They can be delivered to the office at 311 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, or mailed to P.O. Box 1764, Shelby, NC 28151.
The following coins are up for bid now:
• 1980 South African Krugerrand
• 1940 Jefferson nickel
• 1946 Jefferson nickel
• 1943 wheat back penny
• 1935 Liberty $20 gold coin copy
• 1946 dime, Truman front, torch back
• Bicentennial Eisenhower dollar
• 1849 Liberty gold copy
• 1941 Walking Liberty half dollar
• 1928B red seal $5 bill
Submitted by Cassie Tarpley