Iowa State Treasurer Roby Smith is drawing attention to a collection of sports memorabilia that has emerged from abandoned bank safety deposit boxes, items that the state is now working to return to their original owners or heirs.
A baseball signed by ‘Big Red Machine’ legends
Among the artifacts is a baseball autographed by Pete Rose and several other members of the Cincinnati Reds’ celebrated 1970s “Big Red Machine” roster. The ball was found in a box that had been rented by Jonathan Pederson of Mason City, and the treasurer’s office is seeking Pederson’s descendants to restore the item to the family.
Under Iowa law, banks must retain unclaimed safe‑deposit boxes for at least three years before transferring them to the State Treasurer’s office. Once in state custody, the office catalogues the contents and attempts to locate the rightful owners or their heirs.
The effort is part of the broader “Great Iowa Treasure Hunt” initiative, a searchable online portal that lists unclaimed cash, bonds, utility refunds and a variety of personal property. In addition to the baseball, the treasurer’s office is pursuing leads on other items such as a Michael Jordan basketball card and assorted keepsakes tied to former box renters.
Smith’s office reports that it processed more than 53,000 claims in the past year, returning nearly $36 million in cash and $2.4 million in property to Iowans. Officials encourage residents to explore the treasure‑hunt website and check for any items that might belong to them or their relatives.