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Stock Certificates
Stock certificates are more than just a peice of paper that proves ownership. They are snapshots of history and attractive works of art. The sad news: In order to save costs, there is an industry-wide effort to register ownership electronically rather than issue paper stock certificates (see insert).
Collectible Value
Between this elimination effort and normal corporate actions like mergers, stock certificates are becoming more rare increasing their collectible value. For example, a Pixar certificate with Steve Jobs printed signature sells for more than $500 on scripophily.com.
Only At GiveAshare
Stock brokers stopped providing stock certificates years ago. Now, GiveAshare is the only place to get easily get authentic stock certificates and for the companies that only register ownership electronically, we have attractive replicas. So, get a real stock certificate while you still can because the days are numbered.
Latest Certificates To Bite the Dust
-
GONE
BUT
You can still buy MANU stock
Manchester United
Manu decided to go paperless in November 2021 -
GONE
-
GONE
Dunkin Brnads
Acquired by Inspire Brands December 2020 -
GONE
Craft Brew
Bought by Anheuser-Busch September 2020 -
GONE
WebMD
Taken private September 2017 -
GONE
BUT
You can still buy Under Armour stock
Under Armour
Went paperless February 2017. -
GONE
BUT
You can still buy GE stock
General Electric
Went paperless November 2016. -
GONE
DreamWorks Animation
Comcast bought DreamWorks August 2016. -
GONE
Petsmart
Went private in 2015 -
GONE
Orbital Sciences
Merged with ATK in March 2015. -
GONE BUT
You can still buy Google stock
Google
Eliminated paper stock certificates in May, 2014. Buy a share of Google/Alphabet stock and get true ownership and a replica certificate to show off. -
GONE!
1-800-Flowers
Eliminated paper stock certificates on in March, 2014. -
GONE BUT
You can still buy Disney stock
Disney
Disney stopped issuing negotiable paper stock certificates on October 2013. Now stock is registered electronically and you get a personalized display cert. -
GONE!
Dell
Michael Dell took it private in November 2013. -
GONE BUT
You can still buy Gamestop stock...
GameStop
Eliminated paper stock certificates on in August 2013. -
GONE BUT
You can still buy Bank of America stock...
Bank of America
Eliminated paper stock certificates in August 2013. -
GONE BUT
You can still buy SeaWorld stock...
SeaWorld
Issued about 10 certs after their IPO then went electronic. Go figure? -
GONE!
Steinway
Classic company being taken private. -
GONE BUT
You can still buy Facebook stock
Facebook
Decision at time of IPO (May 2012) to not issue paper certificates. -
GONE!
Human Genome Sciences
Acquired by Glaxo in 2012. -
GONE BUT
You can still buy Microsoft stock...
Microsoft Inc.
stopped issuing paper certificates in April 2012 -
GONE BUT
You can still buy Playboy collectible stock...
Playboy Enterprises
Hefner took the company private in March 2011. -
GONE!
General Motor New
This new issue is 100% electronic registration so no paper certificates. -
GONE!
Motorola Inc.
Split into two companies that do not issue paper as of January 2011. -
GONE BUT
You can still buy Apple stock...
Apple Inc.
Apple stopped paper stock certificates in November 2010. Congratulations to all our past customers who got one a real one. -
GONE!
Burger King
Went private in 2010. -
GONE!
Palm Inc.
Merged with HP in July 2010. -
GONE!
World Poker Tour
Asset sale to British on-line gaming giant PartyGaming in November 2009 -
GONE!
Marvel
Merged with Disney December 2009. -
GONE!
Wyeth
Merged with Pfizer October 2009 -
GONE!
-
GONE!
Visa Intl Inc.
Entirely electronic as of August 2009 -
GONE!
Wm Wrigley Company
Acquired by Mars Inc. a private company. -
GONE!
Merrill Lynch
Acquired by Bank of America in 2008. -
GONE!
-
GONE!
ImClone Systems
Acquired by Eli Lilly in 2008. -
GONE!
PIXAR Animation
Acquired by Disney in 2007. There was a huge rush to get their certificates. -
GONE BUT
You can still buy Intel stock
Intel
One of the first to go all electronic
The Elimination of Paper Stock Certificates - Chronology
Like everything else in this world, stock ownership is going digital! The securities industry calls it "dematerialization" - we call it sad.
A growing list of companies like Disney and Apple have already stopped issuing paper. and some transfer agents and all brokers now charge disincentive fees.
The industry-wide effort to eliminate physical stock certificates started over 30 years ago but momentum is building:
- 2021 - Industry working group to make the final push toward dematerialization
- 2020 - DTC white paper calls for elimination for all stocks certificates within a couple of years after Covid stresses the system. Industry-wide work group established to make it happen.
- 2018-19 - The pace of companies eliminating paper certificates quickens.
- 2015 - Computershare, the largest transfer agent in the U.S., announces it will charge a $25 disincentive fee to issue paper stock certificates.
- 2014 - DTCC Proposes Elimination of All Paper Stock Certificates
- 2009-12 - The Depository Trust Company (DTC) starts charging stock brokers a $500 fee to issue stock certificates to customers. Brokers pass on the $500 fee to customers.
- 2008 - 1/1/2008 was the target date established for all companies on the NASDAQ and NYSE to be set up on the DRS. Although the target gets moved out, most companies comply.
- 2007 - As of 1/1/2007, any new issue on NASDAQ or NYSE had to be eligible for electronic registration on the Direct Registration System (DRS).
- 1970's - Brokerage firms took the first step to streamline paperwork by establishing a central depository, the Depository Trust Company (DTC) where all stock certificates could be maintained.
- 2006 - Delaware, the state where many companies are incorporated, changed it's state law removing the requirement for physical stock certificates. This got the ball rolling.
- 1960's - Financial district messengers carried satchels of stock certificates from one broker to another. During peak periods, the stock market would be closed one day a week to allow brokerage firms to catch up on paperwork.
Cool CNBC story about Facebook and other valuable stock certificates
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GiveAshare.com is a gift website owned by Leading Edge Gifts, LLC. All names and logos displayed on this page are owned by their respective organizations. GiveAshare is not affiliated with these companies. We provide an innovative gift by allowing customers to easily and affordably buy a real share of stock as a gift. Although this is real stock, we do not market our product as an investment nor do we in any way provide investment advice. GiveAshare is not a registered broker-dealer and carefully follows rules established by the SEC for us. We recommend that those looking for an investment contact a registered broker or financial advisor.
