Leaders may auction off ‘windfall’ silver

OXFORD — The City of Oxford and Lafayette County will likely sell more than 4,200 ounces of silver at bid.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that 42 bars of 100 ounces each and a couple of smaller pieces were found in a safety deposit box rented before the local hospital was leased to Baptist Memorial Health Care in 1989.

Officials say the silver came from recycled x-rays. Baptist bought the hospital last month, with plans to replace it with a new facility within five years.

If the county agrees, city officials say the plan is to advertise the silver in area newspapers and websites to attract buyers.

One idea to keep a bar or two for special use, such as to mint some coins to commemorate the city’s 175th anniversary next year.