Illinois residents can bid on gold coins, vintage jewelry, silver and collectible baseball cards beginning Friday as the State Treasurer’s Office opens its latest online I-CASH unclaimed property auction.
According to Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office, the auction runs from Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Oct. 4, with 100 lots available through the HiBid online auction platform. Some lots contain multiple items.
Among the collectibles is a 1926 British Sovereign gold coin featuring King George V, along with a 1986 American Eagle gold coin and an Engelhard 10-ounce .999 fine silver bar.
Baseball fans can bid on cards featuring Chicago legends Ryne Sandberg, Frank Thomas and Ernie Banks. Cards of Greg Maddux, Stan Musial and Nolan Ryan are also included.
Other items include three Egyptian leather jewelry boxes, a 14-karat yellow gold pendant with an opal, a 10-karat yellow gold ring with pearls, Morgan silver dollars and $1 silver certificates.
The property comes from the state’s unclaimed property program. The Treasurer’s Office receives items after private entities have unsuccessfully attempted to locate their owners for several years. Items considered for auction typically have gone untouched by their owners for about a decade.
Although the physical property is sold, the state says auction proceeds remain available for the rightful owners regardless of how much time passes.
Prospective bidders must create a HiBid account and register for the auction before placing bids.
The Treasurer’s Office says Illinois residents can also search the state’s I-CASH website for unclaimed money or property potentially belonging to them.
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