Elderly Woman Finds Rare Bill Worth Over $60K And Donates It To 'Help Young People'

In honor of the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death and the upcoming addition of the author to the £10 note, micro-engraver Graham Short has turned four bills into keepsakes worth £50,000 (over $62,000 USD) or more. In December 2016, he began putting the bills into circulation, one each in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 

The rare bills in Wales and Scotland had already been found when the Tony Huggins-Haig Gallery received word from an elderly woman in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland who discovered a third special bill. 

The bill didn't travel far, as it was put into circulation in Enniskillen. 

Graham Short is world-famous for his micro-engravings, which are painstakingly etched into surfaced such as the heads of pins or the edges of razor blades. 

The slightest error can ruin the tiny images, so much so that Short wears a stethoscope while working so that he can make his marks between heartbeats. 

One each of the bills, Short engraved a tiny portrait of Jane Austen, circled by a quote from her works. It can only be seen under certain lighting and magnification. 

The image is located beside Big Ben, over where the £ sign sits. 

But the woman who discovered the third bill didn't want to keep it for herself, so she sent it to the gallery with a request to help those who would have a better use for it. 

Her letter reads: "£5 note enclosed. I don't need it at my time of life. Please use it to help young people." 

To honor her wishes, Short is working with the gallery to ensure the worth of the bill goes towards a good cause. They are currently in contact with Children in Need. 

As for the charitable lady, she prefers to remain anonymous. 

It's a bit like the Golden Tickets from Willy Wonka, isn't it? You should SHARE this story of generosity with everyone you know!

h/t Graham Short