"Since the 1960s Hess has made these cherished collectable toys," Hafer said. "Trucks manufactured and promoted in prior years can no longer be purchased from Hess. But our unclaimed property vault has 14 old models dated from 1986 to 1996. The trucks are on sale today and the bidding starts at a mere dollar."

Last minute holiday shoppers may also be interested in the large musical Christmas snow globe that plays "Winter Wonderland." Bidding starts at just $1.00. Hafer said interested buyers should act quickly because the auction for the snow globe and Hess toy trucks ends early Thursday morning, Dec. 20.

All items come from Treasury's Unclaimed Property Vault. Money brought in goes to the state's General Fund. Treasury's online auction of unclaimed property began in May. Sales have reached more the $142,000, Hafer said.

In addition, the Treasury is auctioning numerous other items, including jewelry, watches and collectables. Said Hafer: "We have the perfect gift in every price range and we're continuously adding new items."

Prospective bidders can see all of Treasury's current auction items by either going to the Treasury Web site -- http://www.patreasury.org -- and clicking on the auction logo, or by going to eBay(TM) and searching under the seller name treasurerhafer.

The Treasury will accept personal checks, money orders and cashier's checks, but encourages buyers to use the safer, faster and easier online payment system. Online payment allows buyers to use Visa or MasterCard, or make direct payments from their checking account.

Hafer said Treasury's online auction has had an overwhelmingly positive response from eBay users. Among buyers' comments to date: "Better than expected! Truly wonderful surprise!"; "Super seller, quick responses, very well packaged, highly recommend;" "Nice item! Perfectly described!"; "Customer service in the vault is like no other -- wonderful -- excellent!"; and "Will make nice xmas gift!"

And the comment Hafer called her personal favorite: "I wish the rest of
the government worked this well! RECOMMENDED."

Treasury's Unclaimed Property Bureau is continually receiving new property that comes from businesses, banks and police departments which are required by law to turn over to the state assets that have been abandoned for seven years or more.

Most of the tangible property auctioned comes either from abandoned safe- deposit boxes or from police departments. Before any item is auctioned, extensive efforts are made to find the rightful owner, Hafer emphasized. Should an owner come forward after an item is auctioned, the owner would receive the full amount the item sold for, Hafer added.

Hafer said, "The Internet enables us to reach a world-wide market with thousands of prospective bidders, so we can be confident the price we receive for an item represents its true value. Additionally, selling online allows us to avoid the high overhead costs of traditional auctions."

The money from Treasury's unclaimed property auction goes to the state's general fund.