But is it worth anything?
An article in the Toronto Star reminded me of a question that comes up on a regular basis at our reference desk. The article entitled "Historic 'Rembrandt of shares' could be world's most valuable" (Toronto Star, September 12, 2010, p A13), discussed the discovery of what could be the world's oldest stock share. The certificate was for a founder share in the Dutch East India Co. dated September 9, 1606. The certificate could be worth as much as $791,000 – but only as an historic artifact. The company ceased to exist in 1799.
We have patrons come into the Business departments at both Toronto Reference Library and North York Central Library with stock certificates that they have found, usually while cleaning out a deceased love ones papers, wondering if the company still exists and more over –is it worth anything?
Well, the good news is that there are many sources, both in print (if the stock is very old) and electronically, that can assist in determining whether the paper in hand is worthless or your ticket to financial gold.
Both departments have a guide entitled "Researching an old Stock Certificate", that can navigate you to sources both in the library and out, that will help you. Some examples of frequently used tools include Financial Post Advisor (which includes predecessor and defunct company information), and Canadian Mines Register of Dormant and Defunct Companies and the Canadian Mines Handbook. Toronto Reference Library has an extensive collection of historic annual reports for Canadian public companies, and on-line there is SEDAR, which includes filings and annual reports for public companies since 1996.
Some other sources that might help for finding information on your Canadian stock include:
The Canadian Annual Financial Review, which identifies transfer agents for Canadian public companies from the turn of the century to 1941.
The Stockholders and Investors Annual, which includes financial records for approximately 100 important stock companies that were listed on the Montreal and Toronto stock exchanges in the late 1800s.
Let us help you see if your stock is worth the paper its printed on!
Comments