Treasurer Diossa Holds First Unclaimed Property Auction in Over 10 Years

Published on Wednesday, November 19, 2025

For Immediate Release

Date: November 8, 2025

Treasurer Diossa Holds First Unclaimed Property Auction in Over 10 Years

Providence, RI – Today, Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa held the Unclaimed Property Auction at the Department of Administration Building (DOA) in Providence. The last time this type of auction took place was in 2014.

Hundreds of Rhode Islanders showed up to bid on thousands of unique items, including rare coins, gold, watches, fine jewelry, and other valuable collectables presumed abandoned under the state's Unclaimed Property Law. A professional auction firm ran the auction and spent months appraising every item for this special day.

“Each item in this auction has a story,” said Treasurer Diossa. “These items have been unclaimed for years, in some cases decades. While we make every effort to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners, that isn’t always possible. This event allows us to responsibly manage these assets and safeguard auction proceeds for any owners or heirs who may come forward in the future. I am proud of our Unclaimed Property team for their hard work putting this event together.”

Most of the items in the auction were forwarded by banks from abandoned safe deposit boxes that have exceeded the three-year dormancy period required by law, often by more than a decade. This year’s auction included nearly 5,000 items, organized into 420 individual lots available for bidding.

Earnings from the sale will remain in the state’s general fund and the funds will be made available in perpetuity to the rightful owners or their heirs to claim at any time. Last fiscal year 2024, the Unclaimed Property team returned over $17 million, and Treasury continues their outreach efforts to make sure every single dollar is returned to its rightful owner.

For more information or to check if you have property waiting to be claimed, visit www.FindRIMoney.gov

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