HARRISBURG -Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced that the treasury’s fall 2025 unclaimed property auction generated more than $523,000 in gross sales during a two-day event held Oct. 29 and 30.
More than 6,000 items were sold during the auction, which netted $523,840 in total gross sales. Treasury officials expect to retain more than $450,000 after associated costs.
“The fall auction once again delivered strong results and we saw competitive bidding and impressive prices, particularly on coins and jewelry,” Garrity said in a statement. “Our top priority is always to return unclaimed property to its rightful owner, but when that cannot be done, those items are auctioned off and we ensure that the proceeds remain available to claim no matter how much time passes.”
Proceeds from the sale will be held in by the state, allowing rightful owners or heirs to claim the funds at any time. Officials said that despite extensive outreach efforts, including mailed notices, database searches and online listings, some property cannot be returned due to missing addresses, outdated contact information or the absence of identifiable heirs.
High-value items draw competitive bids
The highest-priced item sold at the fall auction was rhodium sponge, a highly pure form of the precious metal, which brought $23,400. This item is used in industry and often traded.
Other notable sales included:
- 5.739 troy ounces of iridium sponge and 16.76 troy ounces of platinum sponge, each selling for $17,000
- A platinum ring featuring a 4.40-carat emerald-cut diamond with two tapered baguettes, which sold for $16,000
- An 18K yellow gold bracelet set with 40 round diamonds and 40 round sapphires, which sold for $5,500
- A 14K yellow gold cross pendant with 1.25 carats total weight of diamonds paired with a 10K yellow gold chain, which sold for $4,000
Treasury partners with Pook & Pook, Inc. of Downingtown to provide auctioneer and appraisal services.
“Pook & Pook is honored to have been the auction house of choice for the Pennsylvania Treasury Department for the past decade,” said Deirdre Pook Magarelli, president of the firm. “Selling at auction lets the market speak for itself, revealing the most accurate value through real demand, real competition and real buyers.”
Magarelli said prices at the October auction exceeded high estimates, citing strong collector interest and favorable market conditions for coins and jewelry.
How unclaimed property is handled
Under Pennsylvania law, businesses must turn over unclaimed property to the treasury after it has remained dormant for three years. Tangible items, most commonly contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes, are then stored securely in the treasury’s vault for at least three additional years while efforts continue to locate rightful owners.
If items cannot be returned, they may be auctioned. The treasury does not auction military decorations or memorabilia. Items that go unsold or are not paid for by winning bidders are returned to the treasury and may be offered at future auctions.
Currently, more than $5 billion in unclaimed property is available to be claimed statewide. Treasury officials estimate that more than one in 10 Pennsylvanians is owed money, with the average claim exceeding $1,000.
Residents can search for unclaimed property and file a claim by visiting the Pennsylvania treasury website.
