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Heinz have gobbled up an 18 carat gold baked bean at a Glasgow auction.

In 1995, Heinz hid 100 eighteen carat gold beans in random tins across the UK to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its iconic baked bean and then waited for them to be found by delighted customers.

Now, 24 years, 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.

(Image: McTear’s/Wave PR)

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.

(Image: McTear’s/Wave PR)

“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 McTear’s Works of Art auction in Glasgow on Friday 15th March.