Collectible coins, sports cards and jewelry are among the more than 400 unclaimed property items to be auctioned online from February 6 through February 10.
“The online auction provides a perfect opportunity for people to explore and acquire memorable items for themselves or for others who will appreciate them as gifts,” said Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, whose office oversees unclaimed property in Illinois. “Because the auction is online, you can participate from your home or wherever you like.”
Items to be auctioned include a 14-karat gold charm bracelet, a 1909-D Indian Head $5 gold coin and an 1883 Carson City Morgan silver dollar. Among the other available items are rings, watches and other jewelry, coins and currency from the United States and other countries, and multiple sports cards.
To view auction items, go to ibid.illinois.gov/ and select the tab labeled “Storefronts.” Scroll down to the Illinois State Treasurer Unclaimed Property Auction, select it and then click on the tab labeled “Upcoming Store Items.”
To be eligible to participate in the auction, prospective bidders must register with iBid if they haven’t previously done so. The registration process is simple: Go to ibid.illinois.gov/ and select the tab labeled “Register now.” For questions, call 217.557.8567.
The treasurer’s office is the custodian of unclaimed property, including lost bank accounts, insurance policy proceeds, unpaid rebate cards, and safe deposit boxes. Items are surrendered to the treasurer’s office after private entities have tried for several years to locate the owner. Items considered for auction typically have not been touched by their owners for 10 years. All auction proceeds will be held for the rightful owners, no matter how long it takes.
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The treasurer’s office conducts online auctions of unclaimed property periodically throughout the year. The office also conducts an annual, in-person auction of unclaimed property during the Illinois State Fair in August.
An estimated one-in-four adults in Illinois who search the state’s unclaimed property website, also known as iCash, find unclaimed property that should be returned to them. The average claim is $1,000. Visit the iCash website at www.illinoistreasurer.gov/ICASH to find out if any unclaimed property is waiting for you.
***Courtesy of Illinois State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs***
