You've come across old stock certificates in your old file drawer, in inheritance or as a gift.
These could be tens or hundreds of years old.
In 1792 the New York Stock Exchange was created as a way for merchants to meet daily to trade certificates of investment.
Stock certificates grew in popularity in the United States from this point and by the late 18th century, trading stock certificates had become nationally recognized and very popular.
The majority of stock certificates still around today are from the 20th century in fact for anything older than that this guide will be rendered next to useless.
If you have certificates that date back to before 1900 your best option would be to get professional help, recommended firms are listed below.
Stock certificates represent a share ownership in a company.
Whenever a company that has issued stock certificates undergoes a change to it's corporate structure often times the share structure will shift accordingly.
Corporate restructurings that effect the stock structure of a company range from stock splits, reverse stock splits, acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, spin-offs, split-offs, recapitalization's among a select few not mentioned as well.
Chances are if you hold old stock certificates that over the course of many decades the company has been transformed at least once.
Very few companies that operated in the early 20th century still operate today in the same industry and so many companies change there names to reflect these corporate shifts.
This also must be taken into account if you are to commence research on your old stock certificates.
The naked truth remains that the vast majority of companies founded more than 50 years ago are no longer operating the same goes for the shares of those companies.
Estimates to the exact number of companies range from 50%-95% of publicly traded companies cease to old any shareholder value.
To confirm the value of old stock certificates you may contact the companies transfer agent.
Finding the transfer agent contact information can be done in one of two ways.
The first would be to do a historical Securities and Exchange Commission Filing Search.
If your shares are to old, the search only covers filing from 1994 to date, then the secretary of state of the state of incorporation will be your next option for help.
The state of incorporation for your shares is found on the certificate itself.
Most states offer business entity searches or corporate searches online and those that do not offer the online service have phone numbers to contact.
The transfer agent should be able to guide you through the changes to your companies stock structure and the resulting value of your old stocks.
If the transfer agent cannot determine the value of your shares then a more involved research must be undertaken.
That would be the subject for a whole other guide.
Although many stock search firms to offer to help you determine the value of your shares.
lists the top firms on there website.
To conclude your chances are quite small that any value lies awaiting you in your stocks although fortunes have been made in there recovery.
A few hours of effort can start you off or may be able to give you a clear picture of the value of your shares.
Going for the path of professional help can give you absolute certainty as to whether your certificates are worth anything.