A firefighter from the USA has won the top prize in an instant lottery ticket after he used a challenge coin to scratch it off.
Challenge coins typically bear an insignia or emblem of an organisation, often of police services, or fire or military services, and are often collected by people working in these organisations.
Josh Loveless, 42, from the town of Middletown, in Frederick County, Maryland, USA, was stunned when he uncovered USD 50,000 (GBP 41,471) on a scratch-off ticket earlier in February.
The Loudoun County firefighter said in a statement obtained by Newsflash from Maryland Lottery: “I told my girlfriend, ‘You better come here. I think I won USD 50,000!’ It was very exciting,”
The 42-year-old challenge collector and amateur softball player reportedly bought the USD 20 (GBP 16.6) ticket at retailer Safeway #1559 at 815 East Main Street before heading home with it.
He recalled that he decided to scratch it off with one of the coins from his collection, and said: “I like to use those challenge coins.
“They are bigger than average coins and are easier to scratch with.”
Loveless then used a coin made for the Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters Softball group, and explained that most of his coins pay tribute to different firefighters’ agencies and fallen firefighters.
Soon after the 42-year-old fireman arrived at Maryland Lottery headquarters at 1800 Washington Blvd #330 in the city of Baltimore to collect his prize.
He revealed that he plans to use the money to pay his bills and help his parents afford trips to attend NASCAR races.
Feeling grateful for the win, family man Loveless said: “It was very emotional but it was nice to win.”
Lottery officials confirmed that the retailer will receive a USD 500 (GBP 415) bonus for selling a top-prize winning scratch-off.
They added: “The USD 50,000 [GBP 41,471] Cash game went on sale on 29th December.
“The game started with 160 top prizes of USD 50,000 [GBP 41,471] and 139 prizes remain unclaimed.
“There are still 147 USD 5,000 [GBP 4,157] prizes remaining, along with other prizes ranging from USD 20 [GBP 16.6] to USD 500 [GBP 415].”
