This was the 14th - and largest - unclaimed jackpot since the lottery started in 1985, according to lottery officials. All unclaimed money goes to the state's public schools.

"We were excited about it, but no one's come in," California Lottery spokeswoman Rosa Escutia said shortly after the deadline.

Lottery officials were planning to make the official announcement Thursday on the off-chance that the person who bought the winning ticket Sept. 8 got it validated and postmarked before Monday's deadline.

The winning numbers on the ticket bought from a liquor store in San Leandro were 34, 43, 27, 20, 7 and Mega Number 6.