Published January 17. 2023 10:41AM
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced the Department of Treasury’s most recent unclaimed property auction brought in more than $208,000. The online auction of nearly 3,800 items took place in October.
“These auctions highlight Treasury’s unclaimed property program and encourage more people to search for what is rightfully theirs,” said Garrity. “They’re also necessary to make room in our vault for incoming inventory. I’m glad to safeguard these items before they hit the auction block, and Treasury will hold the proceeds in perpetuity, waiting for the rightful owner to come forward. I encourage everyone to search our website for themselves and their loved ones who may be owed unclaimed property.”
Pook & Pook Inc. of Downingtown partnered with Treasury for appraisal and auctioneer services. Included in October’s auction sales were multiple 1 ozt. gold South African Krugerrands; three U.S. $500 notes featuring President William McKinley; a 14K gold, diamond and gemstone bracelet; a 10K gold necklace with a 14K University of North Carolina diamond-studded pendant; an Omega 18K gold wristwatch; and a custom Breitling stainless steel and black diamond wristwatch.
The two-day auction brought in $237,043 from 3,798 items. Pook & Pook receives a 12 percent commission of auction sales. Treasury’s net proceeds will be $208,597.84 once all payments are received. Any items not sold will be relisted in future auctions.
Unclaimed property comes to Treasury in accordance with state law that requires businesses to report such property after three years of dormancy. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policies, tangible property and more. Tangible items are held for at least three years before they are auctioned. Military decorations are never auctioned.
To learn more about unclaimed property or to search Treasury’s database, visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
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