BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio --
Ohio will auction Thursday a collection of rare coins and other valuables left unclaimed in safe-deposit boxes.
The auction will be at the Department of Commerce customer service center, 6606 Tussing Road, Reynoldsburg, an eastern suburb of Columbus. Viewing begins at 9 a.m. Bidders must register that morning. The auction begins at noon.
Thursday's sale will offer residents an opportunity to see and even buy forgotten treasures, said Jesse Baker, unclaimed-funds chief for the Ohio Department of Commerce.
"Coin collectors, in particular, will find numerous items of interest," said Department of Commerce Director Donna Owens. Many of the 10,000 items divided into 254 lots for sale are rare currency. Some items to be sold include 100-ounce silver bars, gold bars, rare stamps and even some uncirculated coins.
About 250,000 people and organizations lose track of money, rights to money and intangible personal property in Ohio. The Department of Commerce's Division of Unclaimed Funds is responsible for the safeguarding and return of the property.
There are about 1.8 million accounts unclaimed by Ohioans, totaling about $180 million, Ms. Baker said. Many are forgotten bank accounts, others are unreturned rent deposits, forgotten layaway deposits and even uncashed work checks.
Thursday's sale will be from safety deposit boxes that had been dormant and unclaimed by their contents' owner, said Bill Teets, Department of Commerce spokesman. The auction will deal mostly with rare coins, bills, precious metals and stock certificates. Other items recovered from the boxes may includejewelry and family photographs. They are held by banks until claimed, or sold to cover fees and costs.
All sales are final. Cash or approved check with proper identification will be accepted, and 9 percent will be added to the bid price. To check if you have unclaimed funds, write the Division of Unclaimed Funds, 77 S. High St., Columbus 43266-0545, or at http://www.state.oh.us/com/ on the Internet. Items to be auctioned and suggested bids can be found at http://www.com.state.oh.us/com/ucf/ on the Internet.
