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