ANNAPOLIS, MD (Jan. 30, 2006)-Comptroller William Donald Schaefer today announced that his office will auction 423 unclaimed property items from abandoned safe deposit boxes, valued at $52,131, on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006. The auction will be held at Sheppard Pratt Conference Center, 6501 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Md. 21285. Doors open at 8 a.m. Bidding starts at 10 a.m.

"There are a lot of good items to bid on," said Comptroller Schaefer. "There's jewelry, old pocket watches and a lot of antique coins. In fact, I like to bid on 1921 silver dollars. That was a good year for some reason."

Proceeds from the auction go directly to the state's general fund, which last year generated $24,232.03. Contents of a safe deposit box are turned over to the Comptroller's Office only after the box has been abandoned for three years and rent has not been paid. If at anytime after the auction, a rightful owner of auctioned property surfaces, any money raised is turned over to the rightful owner.

CONTACT:
Michael D. Golden, 410-260-7305
Kevin P. Kane, 410-260-7578