2017-04-18 Tue

An anonymous woman donated an 1866 proof gold $20 coin to the GracePoint Church of Valparaiso, Indiana for building a new church for the congregation. Members of the GracePoint church did not have a home ever since it was established eight years ago and churchgoers had to lead a nomadic lifestyle. Church officials pulled a trailer full of audio and visual equipment, set up this equipment in an elementary school every week.

An abandoned furniture store was being considered to be converted into a place of worship. They needed $300,000 for securing a loan. When all hopes were dying down, a woman offered a Proof-65 Cameo by NGC 1866 proof gold $20 piece as a donation. The coin belonged to her husband which was consigned to Heritage Auctions later. Only 10 such coins exist today, out of which three are a part of the permanent collections of the American Numismatic Society (ANS) and the Bass Foundation. The coin will be sold on 27th April and bids have exceeded $140,000. GracePoint will soon have a new home now!