1966 The Pennsylvania Railroad Company 10-Share Capital Stock Certificate (Orange Border) – American Bank Note Company – Choice Scripophily Specimen (VF/XF)

Item Overview

• Entity / Issuer: The Pennsylvania Railroad Company ("Incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania April 13, 1846")

• Security Type: Common Capital Stock Certificate (Par Value $10.00 each)

• Denomination / Share Count: 10 Shares ("Certificate for Less than 100 Shares")

• Issue Date: Philadelphia, PA, May 6, 1966

• Certificate Number: S 192302

• Registered Owner: Finley J. Hamman

• Security Engraver & Printer: American Bank Note Company (ABNC)

• Color Scheme: Vibrant Orange / Peach geometric intaglio lathework border with an orange embossed corporate seal.

• Punch Cancellations: Official round cancellation punches through the transfer agent and corporate seal areas.

Artwork & Engraving Highlights

• The Famous Central Vignette: Depicts a panoramic view of the engineering marvel Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania, complete with steam and early diesel trains navigating the mountain curve.

• Flanking Allegorical Figures:

  • Left: Vulcan / Blacksmith with a sledgehammer representing heavy industry, track construction, and steel power.

  • Right: Mercury / Hermes representing transit, speed, and commerce.

• Keystone Logo: The classic Pennsylvania Railroad PRR Keystone logo sits centered at the top crest above the vignette.

• Reverse Stamps (Texas Connection): The assignment back bears the endorsement rubber stamp of Rauscher Pierce Securities Corporation, Mercantile Dallas Building, Dallas, Texas, alongside signature guarantee endorsements.

Historical Significance: The "Standard Railroad of the World"

• The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) was once the largest railroad by traffic and revenue in the United States, famously styling itself as the "Standard Railroad of the World."

• 1966 Era Context: This certificate was issued during the final independent years of the PRR. Less than two years later, on February 1, 1968, the PRR merged with its longtime fierce rival, the New York Central Railroad, to form the doomed Penn Central, whose 1970 bankruptcy became one of the largest corporate collapses in American financial history.

Condition & Visual Grade

• Technical Grade: Very Fine to Extra Fine (VF/XF)

• Preservation Highlights:

  • Clean, intact security paper with no large tears, corner clipping, or liquid staining.

  • Crisp ABNC steel-plate engraving with deep ink saturation on the orange border and black text.

  • Shows standard light handling and clean archival bank punch cancellations typical of surrendered stock certificates.