The exchange of shares of stock became prevalent with the creation of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 1792, which is now the largest and most influential stock exchange in the world. The issuing of stock certificates reached an apex during the frenzied trading right before the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Following the crash, more than 40% of the paper value of common stock evaporated, and large numbers of companies went out of business during the crash and the ensuing Great Depression. During that period, a common use of stock certificates issued by defunct companies was as wallpaper, often covering entire walls of a former shareholder’s home.

One of the last issued paper stock certificates was from the Walt Disney Company in 2013, even though electronic-entry systems replaced stock certificates in the 1990s.

Part 2. CUSIP Number
A separate tracking number known as a Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP) number is a unique identifier assigned to stocks and convertible debts, such as SAFE Notes and Convertible Notes, in the United States and Canada.

They contain nine alphanumeric characters and were first introduced in 1964 for greater oversight and accountability standards.

Part 3. Share Count
The stock certificate should also indicate the number of shares purchased to reflect the stock’s value. Some certificates even list the share price at which the stock was purchased.

Part 4. Name and Issuance Date
A stock certificate lists a series of names, including the buyer and seller. In addition, the certificate should include your name, certifying that you are the stock’s owner. Finally, the certificate will be dated to reflect the date you acquired ownership of the shares.

Part 5. Signature and Company Seal
While some stock certificates are plain, others are highly decorative, with artwork representing their branding. The majority of certificates are signed by a company representative and the individual responsible for their registration. They may also include an authenticity seal.

Scripophily, the collecting of old stocks and bonds, gained recognition as a hobby around 1970. The word “scripophily” was coined by combining words from English and Greek. The word “scrip” represents an ownership right and the word “philos” means to love.

Today, there are thousands of collectors worldwide (Scripophilists) in search of scarce, rare, and popular stocks and bonds. Collectors who come from a variety of businesses enjoy this as a hobby, although there are many who also consider scripophily a good investment.

Many collectors like the historical significance of old certificates. Others prefer the beauty of older stocks and bonds that were printed in various colors with fancy artwork and ornate engraving. In recent times, Dot com companies and scandals have been particularly popular issuances.

Each certificate is a piece of history about a company and its business. Some companies became major successes, while others were acquired and merged with other companies. Some companies and industries were successful until they were replaced by new technologies. Some companies have been the center of scandal or fraud. The color, paper, signatures, dates, stamps, cancellations, borders, pictures, vignettes, industry, stock broker, name of company, transfer agent, printer, and holder name all add to the uniqueness of the hobby.

A lot of companies either were never successful or went bankrupt, so that their certificates became worthless pieces of paper until the hobby of scripophily began. The mining boom in the 1850s, railroad construction in the 1830s, the oil boom in the 1870s, telegraphy (1850s), the automobile industry beginning around 1900, aviation (around 1910), electric power and banks in the 1930s, the airline wars and mergers in the 1970s, cellular telephones (1980s), long distance telephone service in the 1980s and 1990s, and most recently the Dot-com era and Enron all resulted in historically significant certificates being generated and issued.

• The name of the issuer

• The amount to be paid back to the investor (known as the face amount)

• The date of repayment

• The rate of interest to be paid on the borrowed funds

• A unique certificate identification number

Today, there are thousands of collectors worldwide (Scripophilists) in search of scarce, rare, and popular stocks and bonds. Collectors who come from a variety of businesses enjoy this as a hobby, although there are many who also consider scripophily a good investment.

Many collectors like the historical significance of old certificates. Others prefer the beauty of older stocks and bonds that were printed in various colors with fancy artwork and ornate engraving. In recent times, Dot com companies and scandals have been particularly popular issuances.

Each certificate is a piece of history about a company and its business. Some companies became major successes, while others were acquired and merged with other companies. Some companies and industries were successful until they were replaced by new technologies. Some companies have been the center of scandal or fraud. The color, paper, signatures, dates, stamps, cancellations, borders, pictures, vignettes, industry, stock broker, name of company, transfer agent, printer, and holder name all add to the uniqueness of the hobby.

A lot of companies either were never successful or went bankrupt, so that their certificates became worthless pieces of paper until the hobby of scripophily began. The mining boom in the 1850s, railroad construction in the 1830s, the oil boom in the 1870s, telegraphy (1850s), the automobile industry beginning around 1900, aviation (around 1910), electric power and banks in the 1930s, the airline wars and mergers in the 1970s, cellular telephones (1980s), long distance telephone service in the 1980s and 1990s, and most recently the Dot-com era and Enron all resulted in historically significant certificates being generated and issued.