Unknown donor leaves $10,000 in gold coins at Daley Plaza Christkindlmarket

The Salvation Army in Chicago received a surprise when eight gold coins worth over $10,000 appeared in their donation kettles on Nov. 26. According to the Salvation Army USA, volunteers from L.O.C.E.A. Cares/Local 1 Chief Engineers were working at two separate kettles at Daley Plaza's Christkindlmarket when they discovered the donations. It happens every year, but no one knows who’s behind it.

The first contribution included a one-ounce U.S. gold coin valued at more than $4,000, based on current gold prices of approximately $4,250 per troy ounce. The second donation contained seven additional coins, including four 20-franc gold pieces, each worth roughly $1,000. The Salvation Army confirmed these donations will remain in the local community to help Chicago families struggling with housing costs, meals, and Christmas gifts for their children.

Local programs benefit from generous contributions

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that this marks the beginning of what has become a cherished holiday tradition across America. The eight gold coins will specifically support the Salvation Army Chicago Temple Corps located on the city's Near West Side, helping fund year-round services for residents in need. Corps Officer Matthew Manley expressed hope that this generosity would inspire others throughout the Christmas season.

Read more on Chicago Star:

• Darvin Furniture & Mattress rolls out designer closeouts with prices at, near or below cost
• A sweet pas de deux: Oberweis and The Joffrey Ballet team up for the holidays
• A whole lotta shakin’: 7.6 magnitude quake off Japan sparks tsunami alerts

The newspaper noted this continues a pattern from previous years, including last year, when an anonymous Evanston woman donated 17 U.S. gold coins valued at $40,000 through an estate gift, as mentioned by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Nationwide trend of precious metal donations

Money Metals highlights that these gold donations have become an annual occurrence across multiple states, with similar contributions reported in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and California. The publication points out an interesting advantage for the charity: Unlike cash that loses value through inflation, gold maintains its purchasing power over time. Money Metals notes the previous year's $40,000 gold donation would now be worth approximately $64,000 due to gold's 60 percent price increase this year, demonstrating how these precious metal gifts continue benefiting charitable organizations long after they're received.