HARRISBURG, PA — Thousands of unclaimed valuables, including gold coins and jewelry, will be sold in an online auction this week as Pennsylvania Treasury officials continue efforts to manage items left unclaimed for years.
What This Means for You
- You may have unclaimed property held by the state worth over $1,000 on average
- Items not claimed after several years may be auctioned, but proceeds remain recoverable
- The auction offers public access to coins, jewelry, and other valuables
The Pennsylvania Treasury announced that more than 4,000 items will be available during its online unclaimed property auction scheduled for Wednesday, March 25.
What Happens to Unclaimed Property
Unclaimed property includes items such as jewelry and collectibles, often from abandoned safe deposit boxes, as well as financial assets like dormant bank accounts and uncashed checks.
State law allows tangible items to be auctioned after at least three years if they are not claimed, while proceeds from those sales remain available indefinitely to rightful owners.
“Our goal is always to get every item in our care back into the hands of its rightful owner,” Treasurer Stacy Garrity said.
What’s Included in the Auction
Items in this auction include gold ingots, a South African Krugerrand coin, diamond and sapphire jewelry, sterling silver pieces, and other collectibles.
Officials said all auction items are subject to change if new information about authenticity or value becomes available.
How the Auction Works
The auction is conducted online through Downingtown-based Pook & Pook, which partners with the Treasury Department.
Interested bidders must register at https://www.pookandpook.com to participate.
Treasury employees and their immediate family members are prohibited from bidding.
“Pook & Pook is so excited for our first Coins & Jewelry Auction of 2026,” said Deirdre Pook Magarelli, president of the auction house.
Scope of Unclaimed Property in Pennsylvania
State officials said more than one in ten Pennsylvanians is owed a portion of the more than $5 billion in unclaimed property currently held by the Treasury.
The average claim exceeds $1,000.
Treasurer Garrity said the department has returned more than $1 billion in unclaimed property to individuals, businesses, and organizations.
How to Check for Unclaimed Funds
Residents can search for unclaimed property and file a claim through the state’s website at https://www.patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
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