NEW ALBANY, Ind. — A gold nugget that could be worth an estimated $50,000 was dropped in a red kettle outside a southern Indiana Kroger over the weekend.
The Salvation Army of Southern Indiana bell ringing team was posted up outside the Kroger store located at 200 New Albany Plaza in New Albany, when they received a unique donation during the annual National Commander's Red Kettle Challenge on Saturday.
Dozens of Salvation Army teams across the country competed to raise $2 million in just four hours. The generous gift may be just enough to put the New Albany team in the running for winning the competition this year.
The anonymous gift was delivered by a "trusted elf," according to a news release from The Salvation Army.
The 15.5 ozt. (troy ounces) of gold in the nugget has a market value of $41,900, but its unique form and place of origin could bring a much higher price at auction.
"Nuggets of this size are inherently rare,” Craig Kissick, vice president of Nature & Science for Heritage Auctions, said. “Due to their scarcity, examples such as this, and especially of this quality, can often be expected to achieve a premium in value well beyond the mere value of the gold content.”
Kissick estimates this sizable nugget would likely bring in at least $50,000 and up at auction.
Captains Kory and Heidi Strand were ringing at the Red Kettle when the gold nugget was delivered.
Results from the red kettle challenge and the winning team will be announced in the coming weeks as totals come in from across the country.
