Is there special protocol for dropping a Gold coin in a Red Kettle.

MGLICKER

Getting close to the holidays and we will no doubt hear of the gold piece(s) received by the well known charity.

When making such a generous contribution, should one quietly drop it through the slot, or mention it to the bell ringer so that it does not possibly fall through the counting device unnoticed?

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>Getting close to the holidays and we will no doubt hear of the gold piece(s) received by the well known charity.

When making such a generous contribution, should one quietly drop it through the slot, or mention it to the bell ringer so that it does not possibly fall through the counting device unnoticed? >>



The better advice is don't do it.

topstuf

It is far more direct and unproblematic to just hand it to a street bum. He won't miss it. And it will go for alcohol and make him happy.

MGLICKER

<< <i>It is far more direct and unproblematic to just hand it to a street bum. He won't miss it. And it will go for alcohol and make him happy. >>



...and I am sure that a benevolent shopkeeper would gladly accept it from him at face!

lasvegasteddy

nope

don't tell no one you did to make it more meaningful

CaptHenway

I never mentioned it, and always wrapped the coin in a folded up dollar bill so the bell ringer would not notice me do it.

One year I wrapped it in a silver certificate, and an officer from the Salvation Army brought the certificate in to the coin shop to be checked out and I happened to wait on him.

Lakesammman

If you want to be sure they notice the value, send a check instead.

BillJones

Why not give the charity straight cash? Giving them gold coins makes them dispose of them for the money, which something they might not have the expertise to do. And of course there is always the chance that the coin will get stolen because there are no receipts.

LindeDad

Give the charity of your choice a check and annotate it on ones taxes. Less chance of miss use of the gift.

CaptHenway

<< <i>Why not give the charity straight cash? Giving them gold coins makes them dispose of them for the money, which something they might not have the expertise to do. And of course there is always the chance that the coin will get stolen because there are no receipts. >>



One time the SA brought in some common date circ. $10's and $20's that had been dropped into a kettle. With Harlan's permission we offered full retail for them, though frankly that wasn't much more than melt at the time. The officer said they would put them up at auction.

Danged if they didn't fetch 15-20% more than we offered. People paid too much for them, I assume because they were making their own personal donation to the SA.

TD

ernie11

If you must go ahead and do this, the only thing I suggest for protocol is, of course, to hold the coin by its edge when dropping it.

PerryHall

<< <i>If you must go ahead and do this, the only thing I suggest for protocol is, of course, to hold the coin by its edge when dropping it. >>



I always put it in a flip and taped it shut to give it some protection from getting scratched up by the other coins that may be in the kettle or that may fall on it.

illini420

I've dropped silver eagles in the kettles several times, no gold yet though. I've always put the Silver Eagle in a capsule or flip first though so that it gets noticed and doesn't just get lost in with the rest of the change.

TwoSides2aCoin

Giving is a matter of personal conviction. Some will always take. If there's no conviction, or there is doubt, one ought not give. (unless it's crap )…. but don't put that in the bucket. It's okay to leave a slip of paper guessing the grade, should one opt in.

Dentuck

Embed it in a Lucite paperweight for safekeeping.

Baley

You're dropping gold instead of cash to get attention. So point it out, have someone take pics, and notify the twitterverse.

PerryHall

<< <i>You're dropping gold instead of cash to get attention. So point it out, have someone take pics, and notify the twitterverse. >>



I prefer to do it anonymously.

TwoSides2aCoin

Love those last 2 responses, by the way.

MGLICKER

<< <i>Embed it in a Lucite paperweight for safekeeping. >>



I have such a Morgan, but it wont fit in the slot.

nutz4coinz

I'd never let on that I dropped a gold coin in the kettle. That thing would get rifled through on the guy's next break.

Coinosaurus

Why not write a check instead? The reason is that doing it anonymously always get the SA some nice publicity.

Overdate

Try dropping in a 5-oz. ATB silver quarter. Neat trick if you can do it anonymously!

19Lyds

<< <i>Is there special protocol for dropping a Gold coin in a Red Kettle. >>



No. Just drop it in and hope that the story hits the news. Then sit back and be pleased with your donation.

coppertoning

If I could afford a gold coin I would happily drop it

Until then I will have to stick with the angel tree and turkey donations

FullStrike

Call all the media you can think of. Begin every interview with I'm a humble man I dont like to draw attention
to myself.....

MGLICKER

<< <i>Call all the media you can think of. Begin every interview with I'm a humble man I dont like to draw attention
to myself..... >>



Perhaps for a couple hundred bucks, Al Sharpton could edify the benevolent contributor.......

PRECIOUSMENTAL

Last year I donated 18 or so Peace Dollars via. the 'red kettle'.
I placed them in 2x2 cardboard flips and stapled them shut.
Also wrote on the cardboard 'worth more than a dollar'.
Have to cut the corners of the holder so they will fit into the slot.
My Grandson and I enjoyed dropping in one each, while out shopping.
Were I donating gold, would label it in a similar fashion.
Thanks for donating.

TwoSides2aCoin

In case the OP missed the memo, the answer is "yes". "… don't let the left hand know what the right hand is doing "

Musky1011

Yes
let go of it.. Gravity will do the rest

thisnamztaken

Best to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. You could use your numismatic knowledge to sell it first to avoid putting the burden of getting the full market value out of it on the charity, and then give them the cash or a check.