How to Research Old Stock Certificates' Value

Did you find an old stock certificate in your attic and are wondering if it has any value? Or perhaps you collect old stocks as a hobby for the history and art? There is an old stock certificate for everybody's interest such as, entertainment, government, finance, mining, and so on. Researching old stocks can take time, since there is no one source for older companies. Read below for a few tips on researching old stock certificates and finding out their value.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Old Stock Certificates

1. Look to see if the old stock certificate is in good shape, for it will greatly determine the value. Make sure there are no hole punches, stamps, perforated, or any other marks.

2. Check to see if the company of the old stock certificate is still around on any major financial site, such as yahoo financial or eTrade. Follow the company’s name change, if the company changed their name.

3. Tell the stock transfer agent (number located on front of old stock certificate) the exact name of the company, the date issued, and the state of incorporation, which are found on the old stock certificate. Contact the company directly and the state where it was incorporated, if the transfer agent no longer exists.

4. Try a free service in the resources or a pay service to save you time to research old stock certificates. Look for articles on the company in periodical databases, Wall Street Journal, or Barron’s may also help.

Tips & Warnings

• If the old stock certificate has no value, it may still be valuable as a collector item.
• Give an old stock certificate to a friend as a gift.

Resources

• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• Scripophily
• Gold Sheet Links
• Stock Transfer
• Stock Search International