Precious coin dropped in bucket

An anonymous donor dropped a single coin into a Salvation Army holiday collection kettle in Barre, Vermont which may be worth as much as $14,000. The donated 1908 Indian head coin has a face value of US$2.50, said Capt. Louis Patrick. But it's worth at least $250 and possibly as much as $14,000, according to a preliminary analysis. Apparently, it's not the only surprise to show up in those kettles this season.

I once tipped a cabbie $20 by mistake because it was dark and I wasn't sure which bill I handed him... and by the time I realized it, I decided it would have been rude to ask for the tip back. While it's unclear if the donor knew the full value of the coin, it was in a protective plastic case.