Missouri’s annual unclaimed property auction set a new record, generating $674,342 in sales at the August 27–28, 2026 event in Columbia. The total more than doubles the previous high of about $319,000 set in 2025, which had been the auction’s best result in 15 years.
State Treasurer Vivek Malek announced the results, saying the auction “exceeded all expectations this year” and reflected growing public interest in the Unclaimed Property program. He credited his staff’s work inventorying and preparing items as a key factor in the event’s success.
Worth reading: The State By State Guide to Unclaimed Assets
How Missouri’s unclaimed property auction works
Each year, the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office catalogs contents from roughly 1,000 safe deposit boxes that banks and credit unions turn over after about five years of inactivity. Only a portion of that inventory is offered at the live auction; in 2026, more than 2,000 items were sold in Columbia.
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Proceeds from auctioned items remain with the Treasurer’s Office and can be claimed at any time by the original owner or their heirs.
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The auction converts unclaimed physical items into cash while preserving owners’ right to recover the value later.
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Real estate and certain types of personal property, such as vehicles, are not held as unclaimed property by the Treasurer’s Office.
Residents can search for unclaimed property and file a claim online at ShowMeMoney.com (the Treasurer’s unclaimed property portal). State officials estimate that about 1 in 10 Missourians have some form of unclaimed property.
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2026 auction details and record results
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Event dates: August 27–28, 2026
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Location: Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center, Columbia, MO
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Items offered: Over 2,000 items from safe deposit boxes
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Total sales: $674,342 (new record)
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Previous record: About $319,000 in 2025
The 2026 total of $674,342 is the highest amount ever raised at Missouri’s unclaimed property auction.
How to check for unclaimed property in Missouri
If you think you might have unclaimed money or property:
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Visit treasurer.mo.gov (ShowMeMoney.com) and use the unclaimed property search tool.
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Search by your current or former name, or a business name.
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If a match appears, follow the online steps to file a claim. The office will verify your identity and relationship to the property before releasing funds or items.
Even if your property was sold at auction, the cash proceeds are held for you or your heirs to claim.
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Start your free search today and claim what's rightfully yours!
