Gold coin donated in Salvation Army kettle in Geneva

Someone was feeling generous Friday night at the Christmas Walk in Geneva.

They secretly dropped a gold coin in to a Salvation Army kettle outside of State Street Jewelers at Third and State streets.

The 1998 United States coin was discovered when Salvation Army officials were counting kettle receipts at the end of the evening, according to a news release.

The coin, which features an eagle on one side and a depiction of "Liberty" on the other ­- has a face value of $50. Several online coin-dealing sites indicate it could fetch around $1,100 when sold.

The kettle was manned that evening by volunteers from the Geneva Kiwanis Club. They did so on behalf of the corps' Joe K. Anderson Community Center in St. Charles.

"Our community is so generous!" Lt. Betsy Clerk, corps officer for the Salvation Army. said in a release. "It will bring much joy to those in need in the Tri-Cities area this Christmas."

Volunteer bell-ringers are still needed. People and groups interested in doing so can sign up at registertoring.com, or call the volunteer coordinator at (630) 377-2769, ext. 201.