When you purchase stock through a brokerage firm today, you can ask it to issue you the certificate. Most charge a fee ranging from $15 to $40 for this service, because it's an administrative pain.

A stock split has little effect on the holders of stock certificates. Shares are held in electronic form and registered but paper certificates can be requested.

Standard Oil Trust Stock Certificate signed by John D. Rockefeller Scripophily - The Gift of History RM Smythe Since 1880 This is Scripophily.com's top selling stock certificate. The trust was ...