Emporia ? An anonymous donation of collectable coins and currency could net the David Traylor Zoo in Emporia thousands of dollars at an upcoming auction.

Zoo spokeswoman Lori Andrews said that a large collection of coins and paper money was donated to the Emporia Friends of the Zoo late last year.

A man came in and asked to donate a box of collectable currency, estimated to be worth between $12,000 and $15,000, Andrews said. He asked to remain anonymous.

“I couldn’t move it; it was that heavy,” she said.

The first auction is set for April 21 in the education center at the zoo, followed by another auction on June 9. There will be about 365 items in both auctions.

The collection included mini sets, proof sets, rolls of coins, single coins and currency.

A rare 1937 three-legged buffalo nickel that was a part of the donation was the result of a mistake at the Denver mint. Many of those coins escaped into circulation before inspectors discovered the error. One recently sold on eBay for more than $1,000.

The coin is easily identified by the buffalo’s missing front leg.