Rare gold coin proves to be a real treasure for Oxfam store. Troon charity shop coins in almost £900
4 March 2010
A rare gold coin donated to a Troon charity shop fetched a whopping £871 in an online auction this week. The Queen Victoria £5 gold piece, dated 1887, was handed to staff at the Oxfam Bookstore at 9B Church Street in Troon.
Staff identified immediately that it was valuable and decided to sell it on eBay rather than in the store. The shop itself is popular with stamp and coin collectors and Oxfam volunteer David Tennant, who works in the shop, is something of an expert on both.
The coin was donated by a regular supporter of the shop who inherited it after her parents passed away. She knew the coin was valuable and wanted it to be sold to raise funds for Oxfam's vital work around the world.
Store manager Julie McCulloch, said:
"I just instantly knew that the coin was rare and I phoned one of my volunteers, David, who specialises in the stamps and coins section. He confirmed that it was in fact valuable and that it could possibly fetch up to £800 in auction. We were all very excited and we're very grateful for such a fabulous donation.
"It never fails to amaze me how generous people can be. Every single donation we get is very much appreciated and will all go to a great cause. But every once in a while you get a real gem like this stunning coin and it gives us all a real thrill. I'm delighted the coin will go to a good home and I can assure the lady who donated it that the money will be put to very good use."
The coin was made in 1887 for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The coin is known among collectors as the 'Jubilee Head'. It was used from 1887 to 1893, when it was replaced by another, older looking portrait. The 'Jubilee Head' coins are rare and command premium prices.
Shop volunteer David Tennant, who has been a collector all his life, said:
"The coin really had the wow factor. When you are regularly dealing with ordinary everyday items and something like this turns up, it is very exciting. Watching it get more and more bids on eBay was a very fun process to be involved in. We were delighted with the money the coin raised."
