State officials to auction unclaimed property

A $1,000 bill, 10 one-ounce gold Krugerrands, a Nolan Ryan baseball card and an empty six-pack of Billy Beer cans - those are just some of the items abandoned safe deposit boxes scheduled for auction next week.

The contents of 324 abandoned safe deposit boxes will be auctioned starting at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 22. The items to be auctioned have been in the custody of the treasurer's office for several years. Click here for a list of the items (PDF).

"After trying for years to find the owners of the contents of these safe deposit boxes, the time has come to clear out our vault to make room for more property," State Treasurer Scott Meacham said.

"However, the money raised from the auction will be held in trust for the owners."

Meacham said a couple of rare items have been reunited with their owners, thanks to efforts by his unclaimed property staff.

"We originally planned to auction tickets to Woodstock and a first-edition Rolling Stone magazine, but my staff was able to identify the owners," he said. "Both of the owners are happy we were able to return their property."

State law requires banks to bring abandoned safe deposit box contents to the treasurer's office along with the name and last known address of the owners. The contents must be delivered to the state five years after the banks lose track of the owners. The treasurer then advertises the information in newspapers and on the internet.

The auction will be at Dakil Auctioneers, 200 NW 114.

Registration and inspection will begin at 9:00 a.m. For more information, contact the auction

house at (405) 751-6179 or www.dakil-auction.com.