LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The Salvation Army says the highlight of its bell-ringing campaign in Hawai'i this year was the donation of a gold coin with an estimated value of $1,200.

Division commander Maj. Edward Hill said Thursday that the Salvation Army is grateful to the anonymous donor who dropped a 1979 Krugerrand in a red kettle in Koloa on Kaua'i.

The coin was found by Lt. Sarah Smuda when she was counting donations.

Hill called the coin "the crowning jewel on what has been an amazing red kettle campaign this year."

He said despite the hurting economy, the people of Hawai'i have been generous to the point that donations may exceed last year's donations by 5 percent to 10 percent.