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(Kitco News) - ‘Tis the season for giving, but the Salvation Army processing center in Tampa, Florida, is questioning whether or not a recent find of gold bars, and a gold ring, in their donation pile is a little too much.
According to an article in the Tampa Tribune, the local Salvation Army found an undisclosed number of gold bars, and a gold ring, in a pile of donated clothing.
"Because of the monetary value and the way it came in, it definitely led us to believe it was by accident," said Major Paul McFarland in the newspaper article. "This was a little unusual."
The value of the gold coins and ring were not provided, but McFarland said that it was worth enough that someone would probably would have given their name and asked for a receipt.
McFarland said that they have contacted the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to help find the owner of the bullion.
He also added that it is not uncommon for people to donate items by accident and that the Salvation Army is usually pretty good at reuniting people with their mistaken donations.
There have been reports across the country of gold coins and jewelry being dropped in the Salvation Army’s red kettles this holiday season, which is the charity’s biggest fundraising drive of the year.
Gold markets have been under pressure during the holiday trading season, dropping below the key psychological area of $1,200 an ounce. As of 12:16 p.m. EST February Comex gold was trading at 1,174.10 an ounce.
By Neils Christensen of Kitco News nchristensen@kitco.com