Gold bean gobbled up by Heinz for £750
An eighteen carat solid gold baked bean has been bought by Heinz at auction for £750.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of its iconic baked bean in 1995, Heinz hid 100 eighteen carat gold beans in random tins across the UK and then waited for them to be found by delighted customers. Now, almost a quarter of a century later, one of the little baked beauties is returning to the company after Heinz bid £750 for the lot at McTear’s Works of Art Auction in Glasgow.
Fabio Megid Pinto, Heinz Beanz Marketing Manager, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing home one of only 100 18 carat gold Heinz Beanz in the world. It’s our 150th birthday this year and while we continue to bring new innovations to Heinz fans we also recognise our unique and rich history – so this wonderful piece of Heinz Beanz memorabilia will take pride of place in our Beanzy archive collection.”
Hannah Murphy from McTear’s added: “The ‘Golden Beananza’ was a major promotional event for Heinz in the 1990s but I don’t think they quite realised how collectable their little golden beans would become. The bean attracted a lot of interest and we are delighted it will now be heading back to Heinz for their archive.
“I'm sure that the Scottish seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, was delighted when she heard how much the bean had sold for. I think it’s fair to say she won’t have to worry about a topping for her toast for quite a few years to come.”
The golden bean, which has the word Heinz stamped on one side and 90/100 on the other, came in a presentation box with the inscription 'Celebrating 100 Years of Heinz Baked Beans', and was accompanied with a congratulatory letter from Heinz.
The bean featured in The Works of Art, Medals, Militaria & Furniture Auction on Friday 15 March.
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