BARRE, Vt. (AP) – When an anonymous donor dropped a rare Indian head coin into a Salvation Army kettle last year, Capt. Louis Patrick thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Think again.

It happened again last week, with another plastic-wrapped mint condition coin turning up in a kettle at the Berlin Mall.

“It’s a once-in-lifetime event that happened twice,” said Patrick, who runs the local chapter.

Last year, someone dropped a 1908 gold Indian head coin enclosed in plastic into a kettle outside of Jo-Ann Fabrics.

After an appraisal, the coin ended up being sold to a local collector for $2,750.

Last Tuesday, workers discovered the second coin as they were counting the day’s collection. A $100 bill also was found in the barrel.

“I was amazed,” Patrick said. “That was a really good kettle that night.”

The Salvation Army is planning to have a formal appraisal conducted of the coin, but it already has an interested buyer.

By Friday, many shoppers at the Berlin Mall had heard about the surprise donation.

“It think it’s awesome,” said Lisa Flinn, 38, of Barre. “I think it’s great that people are willing to help out.”

“That was cool,” said Barb Duprey, 59, of Berlin as she dropped her own money into the kettle. “I think that was a neat idea.”

The 1909 coin, with a face value of $2.50, could fetch thousands.

Whatever it’s worth, it will help the Salvation Army in its goal of raising $40,000 in seven kettles set around the Barre and Berlin area. So far, between $22,000 and $23,000 has been collected. The money will go back into the community to support kids’ programs, soup kitchens, emergency food pantries and financial assistance, Patrick said.

But the story may prove to be more valuable than the coin.

“It sparks conversation of things, of giving and kindness. That, in itself, is worth more than coin would ever be worth,” Patrick said.

AP-ES-12-07-07 1551EST