A rare South African Krugerrand gold coin worth thousands was found amid the spare change donated to a Salvation Army red kettle in Colorado.

A “rare” gold coin worth thousands of dollars was dropped in a red donation kettle for The Salvation Army in Colorado over the holidays, continuing a “mysterious” tradition, officials said.

A 26-year tradition in Fort Collins continued when a South African Krugerrand gold coin worth thousands showed up in The Salvation Army's red kettle.

For the 26th year in a row, the one-ounce South African gold coin, valued at more than $2,700, was pulled from a red kettle at a King Soopers store on Dec 23.

For the 26th year in a row, a South African gold coin worth thousands was dropped in a Fort Collins red kettle over the holiday season.