Have you been puttering around your old things and found an old share certificate? Did your grandparents give you the shares they bought a decade ago? There’s a good chance you’re hoping that it’s worth something.
There are a lot of get-rich stories about people finding an old share certificate. Most revolve around the said certificate proving to be worth millions. The reality isn’t as fantastical though. Take the case of a British national. He discovered an old share certificate while preparing to move to another country. He later found out that his shares weren’t valid anymore. The company he bought shares from merged with another. He still received almost a thousand dollars in profit though.
Paper stock certificates are still around though, and they’re often decades old. So how will you know if that stock is worth the paper it’s printed on? This post will tell you how to check old share certificates.
Organize Your Stock Certificates
The first thing you need to do is get organized. Physical share certificates often get misplaced because they’re stored in various places. It’s better if you have a folder or a box to hold them all. You should also make sure you have all the relevant paperwork on the shares you want to check.
Determine the Issuing Company
You need to know the name of the issuing company. This is easy to find on a stock certificate as the name is always displayed in a prominent place. Many companies will have their name and logo placed on top of the document.
You need to identify the issuing company so you can check if it still exists. It’s easier to find more information if it does. The challenge comes when the company changes names or has undergone a merger. You’ll have to do some research to determine its current status in this case.
Get in Touch with the Transfer Agent
Many companies work with a transfer agency. You should reach out to them once you’ve determined the issuing company. Transfer companies are responsible for keeping and maintaining shareholder records. They also manage the transfer of shares. They will know if your share certificate is still valid. Check the company’s investor relations page. You can find the contact details of the issuer’s stock transfer agency there. You can also contact the company and ask them for help. Give them the details of your old share certificates. Make sure you include vital information, like the share serial number.
Do a Company Search
What will you do if the issuing company has changed owners or you can’t find the transfer agent? You should think about doing a good old-fashioned search. Check online databases and business registries. You can also search for information on the issuing firm’s current status. There should be details of mergers and acquisitions. You can also find information on whether the company is already dissolved.
Talk to a Financial Advisor
A financial advisor is another option to consider. These experts can help you find the value of your old share certificate. They can also help you find the information you’re looking for. A finance advisor can give you sensible advice on what you should do with your old shares. They will also guide you through the complex stock market.
Decide on the Next Step
Finding the value of your old stock certificate can be quite an achievement. Especially if it’s still valid or valuable. You now have to decide what your next step should be. Do you want to sell them or hold onto the shares? You can also transfer your shares to someone else. Sometimes selling is the best course of action. Especially if the company is gone. It’s also a good option if you want to liquidate your assets.
Helping You Build Your Wealth
Investing in stocks is one step to building wealth. Legacy Stock Transfer can help. We’re one of the country’s premier stock transfer agencies. We’re also a family-owned business providing quality stock service solutions. And we’ve been doing this since 1996. We offer personalized service geared to your specific needs. Our team of transfer agents is ready to help streamline your processes.
We help maintain records and do custom stock reporting. Our services include direct registration and restriction removals. We also offer FAST and DWAC services. We can print new certificates. We can also help replace lost or destroyed ones. Send us a message here or at info@legacystocktransfer.com. You can also ring us at 972-612-4120.