
How Can I Look Up Old Stocks Online?
- Gathering Info on Your Stock. You can begin your old stock certificates research for free. ...
- Research the Company Name. If you are lucky, your company will still be in business under the same name. ...
- Do Old CUSIP Number Lookup. ...
- Inquire With Secretary of State. ...
- Speak With the Transfer Agent. ...
What to do if you find an old stock certificate?
Jul 27, 2017 · How to Research Old Stock Certificates for Free. Search on the Internet to see if the company still exists. If the company is still operating under the name listed, do a web-based stock market quote search. If the company is not operating under the name listed, it may have been acquired by another company or it indeed may have ceased operations.
How to find out value of old stock certificates?
Follow up with research using Internet-based stock market quote services, such as Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database and …
Where can you find old stock certificates?
Certificate holders who have a brokerage account may want to ask their broker if they can assist in researching the certificate. Other research resources may be found on the Internet, at public libraries, stock exchanges, or stockbrokers' offices.
What do I do with an old stock certificate?
In most cases these books are held in the reference section. To find the value of our certificates, simply follow the corporation name found on your stock certificate through these directories. Let's make our example Eagle Lock Co., 100 shares. Eagle Lock Co. is found on page 594 of the Directory of Obsolete Securites.

How do I find the value of old stock certificates?
How do I know if my old share certificates are still valid?
How do you research stock certificates?
Do stock certificates expire?
What can you do with old paper stock certificates?
How do I sell my old share certificates?
- One is by encashing them with the help of the transfer agent of the company who withholds the stock.
- Another way is by selling them, again with the help of the broker.
Are old GM stock certificates worth anything?
Do stock certificates still exist?
Today, most of the world's exchanges have either done away with or are phasing out paper certificates. Stock ownership is much easier to prove now thanks to electronic records and electronic communication networks (ECN).
How do stocks expire?
What happens when stocks expire?
What do you do if you have a stock certificate?
What do you do if you have a stock certificate? The first step to determine the value of the stock is to see whether or not the company still exists.
Why are stock certificates worthless?
Some stock certificates that are worthless as securities may have value as collectibles: because of the people who signed them or owned them. because of an interest in history. because of the design or quality of the engraving. You can find collectors and dealers in such sources as:
How much does a stock search cost?
Some stock search firms charge as much as $75 per company and use many of the same sources located at your local library. However, these companies can search records in other places not accessible to libraries, such as bankruptcy courts and state unclaimed property offices. Remember that some companies may have generated and retained their own records over a period of many years.
What to do if a company has merged?
If you discover that a company has merged into or been acquired by a company that currently exists, contact the successor company's investor relations or shareholder services department about redeeming the stock.
What if the above sources don't help?
What if the above sources don't help? Certain records are kept by the state under whose laws the company was incorporated. Be aware that the state of incorporation and the state in which the company is located may not be the same.
Can a private company sell their stock to the public?
Private or closely held companies do not sell their stock to the public. Unlisted companies can sell their stock to the public but are not listed on stock exchanges. Most company information that is published covers the small number of companies whose stock is traded on one of the major stock exchanges.
Do states have free online databases?
Many states have free online databases of the businesses registered there, but others charge. Each state is different.
How to check if a security certificate is valid?
Inspect the information printed on the documents. A valid corporate security instrument should have the owner's name printed on it. The certificate may include other useful information, such as the name of the corporation, the state of incorporation and the name of the stock transfer agent who kept track of security transfers. If the certificate is stamped "specimen" instead of listing an owner, it's a sample document. If the certificate is stamped "canceled" or has holes punched through the signatures, it was canceled by the corporation, and the ownership interest that the certificate represented was transferred to another party. In these instances, the certificate has no value as a security, but might be valuable as a collectible.
How to find out if a corporation is still in business?
A wealth of free resources exists to help you determine the status of the certificates in your possession. Contact the business registration office in the state where the company was incorporated. States keep a database of business registrations, so you can find out from this office whether the corporation is still in existence. Follow up with research using Internet-based stock market quote services, such as Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database and reference materials at public libraries, such as the Directory of Obsolete Securities.
What happens if a certificate is cancelled?
In these instances, the certificate has no value as a security, but might be valuable as a collectible.
How to find value of stock certificates?
To find the value of our certificates, simply follow the corporation name found on your stock certificate through these directories.
What is capital stock?
Any reference to "Capital Stock" essentially means shares held in the company. So for this case, the origina 100 shares/Capital Stock were exchanged for $25 of Debentures (Bond type instrument) and 0.5 shares in the newly formed corporation. Now let's follow the newly formed entity:
Does Delaware have an online business search?
Delaware Business Entity Search ( https://delecorp.delaware.gov/tin/GINameSearch.jsp ) We enter the name of the business we are researching and our sent to a page that contains the following:
What to look for when you find an old stock certificate?
The most important feature to look for when you happen upon an old stock certificate is any signs of canceling. It may be a barely readable hand stamp or imprint, but if it is there, your stock is worth nothing on the stock market (although it may be valuable to collectors).
How to find out if a stock certificate is still in business?
Begin your old stock certificate lookup by doing an online ticker search. Type the name of your company into a search engine and see if it still exists and what its trading symbol is. You may also be able to find information about your company's fate by doing a simple web search for the name of your company and "corporate history."
What is a stock's CUSIP number?
A stock's CUSIP (Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures) number is somewhat like the ISBN number of a book. Each security has its own CUSIP and is assigned a new one whenever there is a reorganization, merger or acquisition. You can open an account at the CUSIP Global Services website to conduct an online search, but it is likely more cost effective to have a broker do it for you.
What information is needed to register a stock?
Identify key pieces of information: the company name, the CUSIP number, the name of the person to whom the stock is registered and the location of incorporation. All this information should be readily available on the face of the certificate.
How to calculate how much a company is worth?
If your company exists, simply calculate how much it is worth by multiplying the amount of shares you have by its current share price. Note, however, that you may still want to do some further research to determine whether there were any splits or reorganizations that would affect the amount of stock you hold.
How to find out who the transfer agent is?
You can usually find out who the transfer agent is by speaking with the company's investor relations department. The transfer agent will help you to assign the stock to your name.
Can a broker look up a stock?
Most brokers can do an old CUSIP number look up and find information on your stock if you hire them. They can then determine the value of your stock and help you decide what to do with it.
How much does it cost to search stock history?
Use a fee-based service to search your stock's history if the earlier steps come up empty. Fees can range from $40 to $85 or more.
What to do if transfer agent no longer exists?
Contact the state agency that handles incorporations if the transfer agent no longer exists. The proper state is the one where the company originally was incorporated.
What happens if a stock splits over years?
If the stock has split over the years, the amount listed might not be the amount your certificate is worth. Contact the stock certificate's transfer agent, who is responsible for keeping records for stockholders. The agent is listed on the certificate itself.
Can you throw away old stock certificates?
Old stock certificates shouldn't be simply thrown away. They can still have value if they represent an existing or merged company, or if they are valued as collectibles. A little bit of research can help you determine the worth, if any, of your old paper stock certificate. Step 1. Determine whether the company is still traded on a stock exchange.
Evaluating Old Stock Certificates - Enoch Pratt Free Library
The hobby of collecting old stock and bond certificates is called scripophily (pronounced scri-POPH-i-ly). Some stock certificates that are worthless as securities may have value as collectibles: because of the people who signed them or owned them. because of an interest in history. because of the design or quality of the engraving.
How To Research Old Stock Certificates - XpCourse
Stock Cert Expert's old stock certificates research package will identify the current status and value for $24.95. The above work could take 3-5 hours to accomplish - if you are unwilling to start your own personal scavenger hunt I would go with Old Stock Certificate Research here.
How to Find the Value of Your Old Stock Certificates : 4 ..
Stock Cert Expert's old stock certificates research package will identify the current status and value for $24.95. The above work could take 3-5 hours to accomplish - if you are unwilling to start your own personal scavenger hunt I would go with Old Stock Certificate Research here.
Researching Old Stock Certificates - Investor Learning
Researching Old Stock Certificates. If you have found an 'old stock certificate' there are numerous print and electronic sources of information to help you determine if that old stock has value or if the security is obsolete. You must first determine the current status of the company, whether Canadian, American or international.
How to Determine the Value of an Old Stock Certificate ..
To determine the value of an old stock certificate, you will need to verify if the company is still active, the current (or most recent name) of the company and if its shares are still tradable. Start by determining the company's status. You will need to determine if the company is still in existence. Different resources are available to you.
How to Search for the Value of an Old Stock Certificate ..
Determine Legal Status. Scripophily.net is an online dealer in stock certificates that will research your certificate's status for a small fee that is waived if no results are found.
Are online degrees respected?
As more and more trusted schools offer online degree programs, respect continues to grow. ... According to a survey, 83 percent of executives say that an online degree is as credible as one earned through a traditional campus-based program.
Free Old Stock Certificate Search - XpCourse
Free Shipping! Old stock certificates for sale from Enron, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Apple, Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, Disney, Merrill Lynch, Schwab. We sell old, vintage, antique, collectible stock certificates and bond certificates for sale. Stock certificate gifts for sale.
Evaluating Old Stock Certificates - Enoch Pratt Free Library
The hobby of collecting old stock and bond certificates is called scripophily (pronounced scri-POPH-i-ly). Some stock certificates that are worthless as securities may have value as collectibles: because of the people who signed them or owned them. because of an interest in history. because of the design or quality of the engraving.
Old Stock Certificate Search : Office of Securities
In addition, an Internet search of the company that issued the certificate may produce useful information. The companies listed below research the value of old stock certificates. We provide the names and contact information of these companies as a courtesy; we cannot attest to the quality of their service or the reasonableness of their prices.
How to Find the Value of Your Old Stock Certificates : 4 ..
Stock Cert Expert's old stock certificates research package will identify the current status and value for $24.95. The above work could take 3-5 hours to accomplish - if you are unwilling to start your own personal scavenger hunt I would go with Old Stock Certificate Research here.
Old stock certificates from your favorite companies
If you have inherited or discovered old stock certificates, you may have found a fortune or maybe only a neat collectible. These links and companies will help you to research your stocks to see if they are obsolete or negotiable. Some links are free, while other links are for companies that charge research fees.  Of course, we suggest ...
How to Look Up Defunct Corporation Stock Certificates ..
Old stock certificates are collectibles that may have monetary value, too. ... How to Search for the Value of an Old Stock Certificate. ... Free: Money Sense E-newsletter.
Certificate Search - AST
Certificate Search. The certificate search tool provides users with the ability to inquire about the status of a specific certificate (i.e., a certificate valid or debited). Simply complete the information below to query our records. Please enter all required fields marked by *.

Getting Started
Company Histories
- These sources report corporate financial events, obsolete securities, or company histories: 1. Capital Changes Reporter 2. Directory of Obsolete Securities 3. Fisher Manuals 4. MERGENT/Moody's Manuals 5. Smythe Manuals 6. Standard and Poor's Manual of Railroads It's a good idea to check business, city, and phone directories and periodical indexes. Consult both cu…
Corporate Records
- What if the above sources don't help? Certain records are kept by the state under whose laws the company was incorporated. Be aware that the state of incorporation and the state in which the company is located may not be the same. 1. For Maryland corporations, call the office of the Department of Assessments and Taxation, Corporation Division in Baltimore at (410) 767-1340. …
What Is Scripophily?
- The hobby of collecting old stock and bond certificates is called scripophily (pronounced scri-POPH-i-ly). Some stock certificates that are worthless as securities may have value as collectibles: 1. because of the people who signed them or owned them. 2. because of an interest in history. 3. because of the design or quality of the engraving. You can find collectors and deale…
Further Assistance
- If you need more information, your local library may be able to help. You'll need to provide them with either: 1. the name of the company 2. the date of the certificate 3. the state of incorporation or: 1. a copy of the certificate If you still can't find what happened to a company using these sources, you may choose to have the stock of incorporat...