A “rare” gold coin worth thousands of dollars was dropped in a red donation kettle for The Salvation Army in Colorado over the holidays, continuing a “mysterious” tradition, officials said.

The social service provider based in Bremerton has been gifted a rare gold coin at least one other time in recent years.

Many donors search their pockets for spare change, but some generous individuals are giving away historic coins worth thousands of dollars during the charity's annual fundraising campaign

The Salvation Army’s red kettle drive began in San Francisco in 1891, when Captain Joseph McFee emulated a similar charity strategy he had seen in Liverpool, England. The kettle matched the campaign’s slogan: “Keep the pot boiling,” a reference to a need to feed the hungry. In 2019, more than 25,000 kettles were in operation around the U.S.

A 26-year tradition in Fort Collins continued when a South African Krugerrand gold coin worth thousands showed up in The Salvation Army's red kettle.