Joe Maddalon, owner of Maddalon's Jewelers in Zelienople, holds the gold coin donated to fund July 4th fireworks.

ZELIENOPLE — The Friends of the Zelienople-Harmony Park annual coin drive was golden again for the third straight year.

The gold coin was found this month in one of the group’s collection jars.

The coin drive is held annually by the nonprofit group to fund Zelienople’s annual Fourth of July Zambelli fireworks display.

The mint condition coin discovered was a 1990 U.S. Liberty, 1 ounce, solid gold coin that has never been circulated.

Gold is currently valued at $1,500 an ounce. The nonprofit group recently sold it to Maddalon Jewelers.

With this coin and other donations collected, the total collected to fund the firework display is more than $4,500. The goal is to raise $6,000 by July 4.

“It’s just fantastic whoever in the community it is that donates. It shows up each year in one of the jars. It’s something really special. And, it’s been a different coin each year,” said Alecia Flood, treasurer for Friends of the Zelienople-Harmony Park.

“It creates a hubbub in town. Everybody has their own idea or thinks they know who it is.”

The Friends of the Zelienople-Harmony Park is a nonprofit group founded several years ago with the mission of preserving and enhancing the park off East Beaver Street in Zelienople.

The group raises money through volunteering and support from the community and local businesses.

Last year, a rare $20 U.S. gold coin was collected. Maddalon Jewelers on South Main Street helped identify it as a 1906 U.S. coin, made of more than an ounce of gold. Its value was $1,200.

The group received its first unique coin in 2009.

That coin was a gold 1979 South African Krugerrand, which depicted the late South African President Paul Kruger on one side and a springbok antelope on the other. It was valued at $900.

The group is still collecting coins for the fireworks drive, as they are still shy about $1,500 of their goal. Coins can be dropped off at Fidelity Bank at 251 S. Main St. in Zelienople or by mailing donations to: Friends of the Zelienople-Harmony Park, P.O. Box 142, Zelienople, PA 16063.

Several days before the annual fireworks display, the group will hold another fundraiser, a Derby Duck Race.

The group will sell raffle tickets for $10 per yellow rubber duck that will have the same number on them as the raffle ticket.

For information or tickets, e-mail Flood at: flood@zoominternet.net or visit the group’s website at www.myzelie-park.org.