Expert: Steven Taylor - 9/1/2011

Question
I've found a capital share gold certificate from Champion mines company.Champion swap nearly all the shares to Copper Range Company.Then Copper Range sold to Hudbay Minerals of Canada.Can I cash it?

Answer
Only if the shares are in your name, or if you have legal transfer of the shares into your name from the registered owner.

A lot of people "find" share certificates, but certificates are not bearer instruments. They are not like paper money that can be used by anyone. Certificates are numbered and often have the owner's name on the front. They only represent the ownership which is kept on the books of the registrar/transfer agent. Even if the person loses the certificate, they still own the stock. Only a legal transfer on the books of the transfer agent/registrar qualifies. The owner has to legally assign you the ownership which requires them to sign over the certificate, along with a bank guarantee or medallion, to you and have you re-register the shares in your name with the transfer agent. Or, if they are deceased, to have legally passed those shares to you (either through their will, or by the courts). Otherwise, the certificate is just a piece of paper.