SPRINGFIELD – Commemorative coins, gold pieces and jewelry are among the 8,000 items worth $70,000 to be auctioned Nov. 30- Dec. 4, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today.
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“Our unclaimed property team works hard to return valuables to their rightful owners,” Frerichs said. “If the property goes unclaimed for 10 years, the items are auctioned to make room for incoming unclaimed items.”
Items include an Engelhard 10oz gold bar; a 1923D Saint Gaudens Double Eagle gold piece; a 1967 Mickey Mantle Topps baseball card; and a 1966 Sandy Koufax Tops baseball card. Auction items have been appraised by an outside vendor. Auction participants can register at illinoistreasurer.gov and click on the Unclaimed Property Auction link. For questions, call 217.557.8567.
The Illinois Treasurer’s office is the custodian of unclaimed property including lost bank accounts, insurance policy proceeds, and forgotten safe deposit boxes. Items are auctioned after private and public entities tried for at least 10 years to locate the owners. The office secures more than $2 billion in unclaimed property. Individuals can search by name at illinoistreasurer.gov. Because thousands of items are surrendered each year, residents should check every six months.
Treasurer Frerichs’ office never charges money to search or return unclaimed property. Auction proceeds will be held for rightful owners until they are identified.
About the Illinois Treasurer
The Illinois Treasurer is the state’s Chief Investment Officer and Frerichs is a Certified Public Finance Officer. He protects consumers by encouraging savings plans for college or trade school, increasing financial education among all ages, and removing barriers to a secure retirement. As the state’s Chief Investment Officer, he actively manages approximately $25 billion. The portfolio includes about $13 billion in state funds, $7 billion in college savings plans and $5 billion on behalf of local and state governments. The investment approach is cautious to ensure the preservation of principal and returns $28 to the state for every $1 spent in operations. The Treasurer’s Office predates Illinois incorporation in 1818. Voters in 1848 chose to make it an elected office.
