The first step to determining the monetary value of your antique stock or bond is to determine if it has any existing face value as an active stock or bond certificate.
Even if the company is no longer trading under the name on the certificate, it may still have some face value.
The issuer may have merged with another company or changed its operating name.
If there is a transfer agent's name printed on the certificate this is a good starting point to determine the value, if any, of the certificate.
Depending on the date of issuance for the certificate, the transfer agent may no longer be in business.
In this case contact the state agency for which the company issuing the certificate was incorporated.
Even if you discover that your antique stock or bond holds no face value, do not be discouraged as there is an ever growing market for these items as collectibles.
There are many online organizations and web sites that offer to buy and sell antique stocks and bonds.
The key is to find a reputable dealer and discover the market value of your certificate.
A good starting point to get information about your certificate and its value to collectors is a web site called Stock Search International Inc.
( http://www.
stocksearchintl.
com ).
For a fee, this organization will search their database for similar items to yours and provide you with an idea of value.
Financial Stock Guide Service publishes an annual guide that is helpful when researching old stock certificates.
This directory includes both actively traded stocks, as well as obsolete securities.
For a fee, you can also have the organization's Custom Research Department do the work for you regarding your specific certificate.
Mergent Company publishes Moody's Industrial Manual and Moody's OTC Industrial Manual.
These two publications are updated annually with company information, including mergers and acquisitions, histories and company summaries.
These resources can be useful when determining if your antique stock or bond still has some face value.
The research necessary to determine what your antique stock or bond is worth can be a tedious and time-consuming one.
If you are entering into the world of securities blindly, or you simply do not have the time or desire to thoroughly identify what you have, it may be well worth it for you to hire a reputable organization to conduct the research for you.
This is particularly important if you intend to sell the item, which gives you the leverage and knowledge that you need to get the best price possible.
Even if the company is no longer trading under the name on the certificate, it may still have some face value.
The issuer may have merged with another company or changed its operating name.
If there is a transfer agent's name printed on the certificate this is a good starting point to determine the value, if any, of the certificate.
Depending on the date of issuance for the certificate, the transfer agent may no longer be in business.
In this case contact the state agency for which the company issuing the certificate was incorporated.
Even if you discover that your antique stock or bond holds no face value, do not be discouraged as there is an ever growing market for these items as collectibles.
There are many online organizations and web sites that offer to buy and sell antique stocks and bonds.
The key is to find a reputable dealer and discover the market value of your certificate.
A good starting point to get information about your certificate and its value to collectors is a web site called Stock Search International Inc.
( http://www.
stocksearchintl.
com ).
For a fee, this organization will search their database for similar items to yours and provide you with an idea of value.
Financial Stock Guide Service publishes an annual guide that is helpful when researching old stock certificates.
This directory includes both actively traded stocks, as well as obsolete securities.
For a fee, you can also have the organization's Custom Research Department do the work for you regarding your specific certificate.
Mergent Company publishes Moody's Industrial Manual and Moody's OTC Industrial Manual.
These two publications are updated annually with company information, including mergers and acquisitions, histories and company summaries.
These resources can be useful when determining if your antique stock or bond still has some face value.
The research necessary to determine what your antique stock or bond is worth can be a tedious and time-consuming one.
If you are entering into the world of securities blindly, or you simply do not have the time or desire to thoroughly identify what you have, it may be well worth it for you to hire a reputable organization to conduct the research for you.
This is particularly important if you intend to sell the item, which gives you the leverage and knowledge that you need to get the best price possible.