How to Research Stock Certificates

by Bradley James Bryant

Overview

Most trading is done electronically, however, there's still a stock certificate associated with that virtual certificate. Certificates are held in Custody Operations in banks and large financial instructions. There are also companies which specialize in stock certificate research. The most common service these companies perform is helping to determine whether the certificate has any value--intrinsic and market.

Step 1

Go to the website Scripophily. This is a company which is literally named after the hobby of collecting stock and bond certificates. For a fee the company will research your stock. They also have a collection of more than 4,500 different stock certificate images.
Step 2

Ask the Reference Desk at your library for the Financial Stock Guide Service. It is published annually by Financial Information. The guide contains a directory of stock certificates, however, you can also order custom research for a fee by calling (800) 367-3441.
Step 3

Ask the Reference Desk at your library for the "Robert D. Fisher Manual of Valuable & Worthless Securities." It is published by R.M. Smythe & Co. The company also has a website (See Resources).
Step 4

Go to a local brokerage and request to see the "National Stock Summary." This may also be available at the library. It is a listing of all OTC and inactive listed stocks. This directory is published by Pink Sheets (See Resources).