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

MGLICKER · October 28, 2014 2:42AM

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 · October 28, 2014 2:44AM

<< 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 · October 28, 2014 2:44AM

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 · October 28, 2014 2:46AM

<< 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 · October 28, 2014 2:50AM

nope

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

CaptHenway · October 28, 2014 2:52AM

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 · October 28, 2014 3:30AM

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

BillJones · October 28, 2014 3:35AM

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 · October 28, 2014 3:49AM

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

CaptHenway · October 28, 2014 3:52AM

<< 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 · October 28, 2014 5:44AM

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 · October 28, 2014 5:52AM

<< 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 · October 28, 2014 5:55AM

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 · October 28, 2014 6:22AM

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 · October 28, 2014 6:54AM

Embed it in a Lucite paperweight for safekeeping.

Baley · October 28, 2014 8:30AM

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

PerryHall · October 28, 2014 8:35AM

<< 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 · October 28, 2014 9:27AM

Love those last 2 responses, by the way.

MGLICKER · October 28, 2014 9:44AM

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

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

nutz4coinz · October 28, 2014 10:46AM

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 · October 28, 2014 10:50AM

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

Overdate · October 28, 2014 10:56AM

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

19Lyds · October 28, 2014 11:57AM

<< 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 · October 28, 2014 12:32PM

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 · October 28, 2014 3:06PM

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 · October 28, 2014 3:38PM

<< 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 · October 29, 2014 3:33AM

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 · October 29, 2014 5:15AM

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 · October 29, 2014 9:27AM

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

thisnamztaken · October 29, 2014 9:50AM

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.

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

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