Anonymously Gifted Krugerrands Bring Holiday Cheer Across the U.S.
Every holiday season, an anonymous donor spread joy and generosity by dropping gold Krugerrands into a Salvation Army kettle. However, according to a note that accompanied the bullion coin, this is the last of the secret gift giver’s collection. Now, other collectors continue the tradition of giving valuable coins across the United States.
As any coin collector will know, the Krugerrand is prized for its stable value and gold bullion composition. Easily identifiable through its obverse of former South African Republic President Paul Kruger and a springbok antelope on the reverse, Krugerrands were first minted in 1967 and later released in silver in 2017. They are so well-loved and wanted by collectors that many have earned major numbers when sold at auction. Such a response is projected for a “Single 9” 1898 Pond Krugerrand at the NYINC Platinum Session World & Ancient Coins Signature® Auction held by Heritage Auctions on January 13, 2025. This Krugerrand is called an “unicorn coin,” due to a singular 9 punch on the obverse. Likely being the overstamp of the 1898 Pond issue, the nine was deemed too large, so other coins in the series were struck with a smaller 99. The coin is projected to earn over half a million dollars in bids.
Although not all Krugerrands are as highly valued as the “Single 9,” currently worth over $2,700, these gold bullion coins are still great investments. Such thinking has been behind some “Secret Santas” of sorts in Michigan and Iowa, who have utilized the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign to bring some holiday cheer to those in need.
The campaign's purpose is to collect funds for the organization’s community outreach services through a ring of a bell. Most donations are change in hand, a dime or nickel here, maybe a quarter or slip of a dollar. However, some red kettles have recently been supplied with the generous gift of a Krugerrand, which, as you know, is worth much more than pocket change.
In early December, the first Krugerrand appeared in a red kettle outside a Kroger in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Gifted by an unknown donor, this wasn’t the first occurrence of the South African coin for the area’s Salvation Army; a Krugerrand has been anonymously donated to the town’s red kettle for over twelve years. However, according to a note that accompanied the bullion coin, this is the last of the secret gift giver’s collection. “I am sorry to say––this is my last Keugergard (sic),” the letter reads. “Hoping there are others who have keugergards (sic) that can help keep up this tradition in the future to help so many in need during the holidays.”
It appears that other coin collectors heard the call. Days later, a 1983 Krugerrand was found 41 miles west of St. Clair Shores in a red kettle stationed outside a Hobby Lobby in Canton, Michigan. Another was dropped in a red kettle hundreds of miles west in mid-December in Des Moines, Iowa. According to volunteers counting the kettle’s donations that day, the coin was found accompanied by two $100 bills.
If you want to provide a Krugerrand, other coins from your collection, or personal funds to the Salvation Army, donations can be given at one of their over 25,000 red kettles across the United States or through their website, give.salvationarmyusa.org. For more information on the value of silver and gold Krugerrands, check out our NumisMaster database.
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