Expert: Steven Taylor - 7/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have the following share certificates and don't what to do with them.  Any value as a share or as a collector's item?
Two certificates of l,000 shares each of Novell Porcupine Gold Mines Limited, dated Mar. 21, 1950
Two certificates of six shares each of Reanite Corporation Limited dated March 1, 1937.
One certificate of Textile Equipment Company Limited, 10 Preference Shares, dated Sept. 11, 1929.
One certificate of Textile Equipment Company Limited,422 Preference shares, dated 16th Aug. 1935.
One share certificate of Textile Equipment Company Limited, 20 common shares, dated Sept. 11, 1928.
One share certificate of Textile Equipment Company Limited, 211 common shares, dataed 16th Aug. 1935.
One share certificate of Micaspar Industries Limited, 500 shares, dated Jan. 8, 1944.
One share certificate of Linlothian Mines Limited, 1,000 shares, dated March 5, 1945.
One share certificate of Linlothian Mines Limited, 1,000 shares, dated Oct. 22, 1945.
One share certificate of Linlothian Mines Limited, 3,000 shares, dated March 29, 1950.
Thanks in advance for your assistance in this research.



ANSWER: Several of these companies are older than the majority of the information I have available, and therefore I have no information on Reanite, Textile or Micaspar. For Novell, it did a 1 for 8 reverse split, then later had its charter cancelled in 1976. No value for shareholders. Linlothian was dissolved and there was no value for shareholders.

For the other 3, you can try contacting the Province of Incorporation (listed on the certificate) and see what information they have available. You can also contact a broker and see if they can perform a more detailed search for you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Are old share certificates collectors' items?  If yes, how do I find out their value.  Thanks a lot.


Answer
Yes, old share certificates can have some value to collectors. The hobby is known as "Scripophily", and there are quite a few collectors. However, not all certificates are collectable. Most collectors are interested in those certificates which have the most attractive artwork, or the company is famous (or infamous). The certificates also need to be in excellent condition. I suggest you start with a web search for "Scripophily" or "old stock certificate collecting", each of which will bring up numerous sites to investigate.