| Scripophily is the collecting of financial documents | | | | certificates available to collectors, there are far |
| such as bonds and stock certificates. Such | | | | fewer of them than there are of other financial |
| documents, even from a century or more ago, | | | | collectibles such as coins, paper money or stamps. |
| have been preserved and collected by thousands | | | | As a group, certificates are becoming rarer as |
| of people who love them. Though less well known | | | | fewer companies issue paper in this electronic age. |
| than numismatics (coin collecting) or philately | | | | 6.Affordability |
| (stamp collecting), Scripophily is a growing pursuit | | | | Because this section of the "money" collectibles is |
| for a number of reasons. Here are some of them: | | | | not well known to the masses, most certificates, |
| 1.Developed Marketplace | | | | including very nice ones can be had for less than |
| Scripophily is a well-developed area of the | | | | $100. |
| collectible world, with prominent collectors, dealers | | | | 7.Collector Value |
| and industry associations to help people learn | | | | Though no one can predict the future, it is |
| about the different certificates available and the | | | | possible, as with any collectible, that some stock |
| companies behind them. | | | | certificates may increase in value over time. |
| 2.Variety | | | | 8.Ease of handling |
| There are so many variables to each certificate | | | | Since certificates are essentially thick pieces of |
| that it is engrossing and downright fun to analyze, | | | | specialized printed paper, they are easy to store, |
| categorize and pursue them. You can always find | | | | ship, look at, and handle while keeping them |
| a personal connection to some of them. | | | | protected in clear, flat sleeves. |
| 3.Historical Significance | | | | 9.Uniqueness |
| Many certificates are legitimate antiques that | | | | Every certificate is a unique document, |
| were made, used and passed down by our | | | | sometimes similar to, but never exactly the same |
| ancestors. They were personalized and prized | | | | as any other. Just like people! |
| possessions of hard working ranchers, brave | | | | 10.Giftability |
| miners, steel tycoons, manufacturing innovators, | | | | Certificates can be the perfect unexpected, yet |
| brilliant inventors, oil drilling dreamers, and millions | | | | personalized, gift for that hard-to-buy-for person. |
| of others. | | | | Someone whose first car was a Packard, for |
| 4.Aesthetics | | | | example, might get a kick out of receiving a |
| Certificates generally have vignettes (intricate | | | | stock certificate from the Packard Motor Car |
| artwork, usually from etchings), ornate borders, | | | | Company (and it is nearly impossible someone |
| elaborate calligraphy, company seals and a size | | | | would give a duplicate of that gift). |
| (about the size of a sheet of paper) that makes | | | | The specific reasons for appreciating collectible |
| them ideal for framing for display or as a gift. | | | | antique stock certificates are as broad as the |
| 5.Rarity | | | | thousands of collectors. For you, browse and learn |
| Though there are lots of bonds and stock | | | | - you may secretly turn out to be one of them. |