In a remarkable accident this week in Alvord, Texas, a huge cache of coins scattered across a highway after a truck carrying $800,000 worth of dimes overturned, resulting in quite the spectacle. This incident prompted the temporary closure of certain sections of the U.S. 287’s southbound lanes, as workers painstakingly gathered the scattered currency with brooms, shovels, and high-capacity vacuum cleaners, alongside manual efforts.
The situation unfolded early Tuesday morning around 5:30 a.m. when the tractor-trailer, having deviated slightly from its intended path, overcorrected its course and tipped onto its side, according to information provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). By 7 p.m. that same day, the highway was once again open to traffic. The driver and a passenger, though injured, thankfully did not sustain life-threatening injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, officials reported.
For those wondering about the location, Alvord lies approximately 80 miles northwest of the bustling city of Dallas. The significant spillage came from a vehicle associated with Western Distributing Transportation Corporation. Known for its distinctive service of moving secured government cargo, complete with armored trucks and armed personnel, the company declined to offer any comments about the incident when contacted.
While the U.S. Mint is the exclusive producer of legal tender coins in the United States, their team did not immediately respond to requests for comments regarding the incident. This unusual event garnered attention not just for its unprecedented nature but also for the efforts put forth in coin recovery.