State Treasurer Tim Cahill is auctioning 300 lots of jewelry, gold, silver and other collectibles that the state has obtained as abandoned property on eBay this week, according to his office.

"By holding the auction on eBay, we're continuing to take advantage of a technological partnership that has proven to be successful in bringing in proceeds for Massachusetts," Cahill, a Quincy Democrat, said in a statement. "Whether you buy a gift or something for yourself on our eBay Auction, you will be making a unique purchase and helping the commonwealth."

This is the fourth time Cahill has used eBay to auction off property his office has obtained. The most recent, in June of 2007, netted the state approximately $400,000. This year's eBay auctions will go "live" Thursday at noon and will remain open through Dec. 15.

The lots are composed of financial assets that have been inactive for three years, and thus deemed "abandoned" by state law. Other property from safety deposit boxes is turned over to the treasurer's office seven years after the owner fails to pay the rental fee. If the owner of the property is not identified within a year after that, the property may be appraised and put up for auction.

"One in every ten people has unclaimed property in Massachusetts, and we have over $1 billion in assets waiting to be claimed by rightful owners," Cahill said. "It is my goal to return as much of this property as possible to the residents and taxpayers of the commonwealth."