The Salvation Army (/ ), WorthPoint, a leading online source for information about art, antiques and collectibles ( ) and ANACS, America's oldest coin-grading service ( ) today recognized the winners of the "Cool Kids Art Contest."

The contest, open to children ages 5-12, was held to thank an unknown person or persons who dropped six gold $20 Liberty coins into Salvation Army kettles on Denver's 16th Street Mall during last year's Christmas holiday season.

The coins will be auctioned October 24 at a live online auction on Freeman's Web site (/ ), and the proceeds will help The Salvation Army serve the community. Both WorthPoint and ANACS donated their services. In addition to providing an appraisal, WorthPoint helped The Salvation Army take the gold coins to auction.

The coins, minted between 1883 and 1906, were officially graded by ANACS and valued by WorthPoint expert Ed McDonough at $900-$1,000 a piece.

WorthPoint offers a database of sales records on art, antiques and collectibles and access to and commentaries by professionals who provide expert opinions and evaluations. ANACS operates the oldest independent third-party authentication and grading service in the country.

Award Winners

Out of more than 300 submissions, The Salvation Army selected two winners each from the 5-8 and 9-12 age categories. The four winners, Taylor Goodman, 8; Myria Garcia, 6; Phoebe Bawmann, 11; Laura Bottke, 10, will each receive $25 prizes. The finalists or "Red Ribbon" winners were Emma Campbell, 7; Olivia Bilek, 8; Hope (last name unlisted), 9; Christopher Miller, 12.

"WorthPoint is about helping people understand the value of their art, antiques and collectibles," said Will Seippel, WorthPoint CEO and founder. "But in the case of the mystery coins, there is no price tag that can be put on this unselfish act of generosity. Co-sponsoring this art contest is our way of saying thanks and helping to teach youngsters the importance of giving."

"The generosity of this donor is only matched by the enthusiasm of these children. It is a great honor to participate in such a noble event," added James Taylor, ANACS president. "As long as the numismatic community continues to support this effort with coin donations, The Salvation Army can count on ANACS to assist with our certification services."

"During these uncertain times and especially as the holidays approach, this donation will go a long way toward helping provide sit-down Christmas dinners and giving comfort and support to individuals struggling with difficult family, emotional or financial problems," said Salvation Army Maj. Neal Hogan.

Gold coins have an interesting history with The Salvation Army. The first gold coin mysteriously appeared in a Salvation Army kettle site in the Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake in 1982. Since then, more than 300 gold coins have been donated at kettle sites across the country. The proceeds from these coins have gone to help people in need.

About ANACS

Founded in 1972, ANACS is a third-party coin grading and authentication service. Located in suburban Denver, ANACS was originally created by the American Numismatic Association (ANA) in Washington, D.C., to help coin collectors identify counterfeit coins. Today ANACS is known for its collector-friendly policies offering certification of U.S. and foreign coins, as well as tokens and medals. It attributes more different types of coin varieties and errors than any other coin-grading service.

About The Salvation Army

Nearly 36 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year. The Salvation Army has been meeting people's needs in Denver since 1887. For more than a century, the helpless, hopeless and needy have relied on The Salvation Army for food, clothing, shelter, encouragement, comfort and prayer. In addition to these traditional services, its programs offer education, child care, elder care, gang intervention, athletics, character building, alcohol- and substance-abuse rehabilitation, as well as response to emergencies and natural disasters for the benefit of the children, families and communities of the Rocky Mountains.