A rare gold coin donated by a widow to a church in Indiana was sold at auction for an impressive $517,000. The money will help the church buy a building of its own just in time to meet a critical financial deadline.
Widow’s Gift Becomes a Blessing
The woman, who wants to stay anonymous, gave the coin to GracePoint Church in Valparaiso as a form of “seed money” to support the church’s construction plans. The church has been meeting in an elementary school since it was founded in 2009.
Coin’s Incredible History
The coin is a Liberty Head double eagle from 1866 and is one of only 10 known to still exist with the words “In God We Trust” engraved on it. The coin has a special meaning and a dramatic past.
Four years ago, the widow was attacked in her home by four people who tried to steal the coin. A neighbor came to her rescue, and the coin was saved. She later said that ever since the attack, the coin felt like a burden.
A Collector’s Treasure
Sarah Miller, director of numismatics at Heritage Auctions, explained earlier that the coin was expected to sell for at least $300,000. The auction took place in Schaumburg, Illinois, and online.
The coin had originally belonged to the widow’s late husband. It was the first rare coin he ever bought, and she held on to it after he passed away 14 years ago.
Auction House Helps Church Right Away
Heritage Auctions sent the church a $150,000 advance before the coin sold. Pastor Ben Lamb of GracePoint Church shared how surprised and grateful everyone was by the coin’s value.
“We were totally shocked,” he said. “It turned out to be a huge blessing.”
A Message of Faith
Pastor Lamb called the donation “an incredible gift in God’s story.” He added that even though the coin caused the widow some pain for years, in the end, it brought great joy.
He also said it was fitting that just hours before their financial deadline, the church had to follow the words engraved on the coin from over a century ago—“In God We Trust.”
A Last Thought
This rare coin was more than just a valuable piece of history—it became a symbol of faith, hope, and generosity. What once caused fear and burden for one woman has now turned into a powerful story of giving that will bless an entire community. Sometimes, the greatest treasures aren’t measured by their price, but by the purpose they serve.
Patricia is a dedicated finance content writer specializing in personal finance, budgeting, investing, and financial planning. With a passion for making money matters easy to understand, she crafts well-researched, reader-friendly content that helps individuals take control of their financial future.