1881 gold coin found in Conn. donation kettle

TORRINGTON, Conn. – A Connecticut Salvation Army chapter got a pleasant surprise when its members were counting change dropped into one of the organization's holiday donation kettles. Members found a rare 1881 "half eagle" coin last week while counting donations made somewhere in Torrington on the day after Thanksgiving. The half eagle was the country's first-ever gold coin and had a face value of $5. It was in circulation from 1795 to 1929. Lt. Alan Galentine of the Salvation Army's Torrington… More information...