| In our era of electronic record-keeping, an investor usually never sees an actual stock certificate. While each corporation's stock certificate is unique in terms of the paper on which it is printed and in terms of the colors used in the artwork and details, stock certificates share several characteristics:
Registration numbers - Each stock certificate bears a registration number. The registration number is assigned by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The registration number is a mechanism which serves to verify the authenticity of a stock certificate, as well as its owner.
Number of shares - Each stock certificate indicates the number of shares it represents. The number appears several times on the stock certificate.
CUSIP (Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures) Number - The CUSIP system is owned by the American Bankers Association and operated by Standard & Poor's. A CUSIP number is a nine-digit identification number. It serves as a way to track securities.
Stockholder's Name - The stockholder's name appears on the face of the certificate.
Name of the Issuing Corporation - The name of the issuer appears on the stock certificate, often in large character type-size and surrounded by some type of artwork.
Corporate Seal - The corporate seal of the issuing corporation, which bears certain information about the corporation, appears in a location near the bottom of the stock certificate.
In order to effectuate the transfer of stock represented by a stock certificate, the owner of the stock must complete an endorsement located on the reverse side the stock certificate.
What Is Scripophily?
It refers to the collection of antique investment documentation, including stocks, bonds, and other securities. In fact, certain stock certificates are much sought not only for their beauty, but because of the role the issuing corporation played in history. For more information, visit: www.scripophily.com.
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