When a family member dies, you inevitably face that daunting task of sorting through their stuff. Boxes of old photos. Drawers full of mysterious keys. And sometimes—just sometimes—you stumble across something that makes you stop and wonder: "Wait, is this actually worth something?"
That's exactly what happened to a reader who recently contacted me after discovering a Boeing stock certificate tucked away in their late uncle's filing cabinet. It was one of those moments that sparks both curiosity and a tiny flicker of hope. (We've all watched enough Antiques Roadshow to dream of the unexpected windfall, haven't we?)
The question of what to do with an old stock certificate is surprisingly common. I've fielded similar queries at least a dozen times in my career, and the answer is... complicated.
When Paper Was King
Remember paper? Not just the stuff you print your boarding pass on when you don't trust technology, but actual important documents that represented real things. Stock certificates used to be a big deal—physical proof that you owned a slice of a company, often rendered with the kind of elaborate artistry we now reserve for tattoos and craft beer labels.
These days, though, stock ownership exists primarily in the digital realm. The transition to electronic "book-entry" systems has been happening for decades. It's more efficient, sure, but I kinda miss the tangible connection between investor and company that those certificates represented.
Boeing, like practically every major corporation, has embraced this electronic future. They stopped routinely issuing physical certificates years ago, which makes your uncle's find an interesting relic from a different era of investing.
So What's It Actually Worth?
Look, there are basically three possibilities here:
First—and most exciting—those shares might still be active and valid. If your uncle held onto Boeing stock from, say, the 1980s or 90s, and never formally transferred them to electronic form... well, you might be sitting on something substantial. Boeing's stock has had its ups and downs (the 737 MAX crisis wasn't exactly great for shareholders), but over the long haul, it's been a solid performer.
The certificate might represent shares that have multiplied through stock splits over the years. A single Boeing share from decades ago could have turned into multiple shares today, not even counting dividend reinvestments. That's how the "forgot about it in a drawer" investment strategy occasionally produces surprising results.
The second possibility? Your certificate might have collector value. There's an entire hobby—scripophily—built around collecting old stock and bond certificates. Some enthusiasts are fascinated by the artwork, others by the corporate history these documents represent. I once met a guy at a financial history conference who had an entire wall of framed railroad stock certificates. Passion takes many forms, doesn't it?
And then there's door number three: the certificate might be, financially speaking, just a piece of paper. Maybe the shares were sold long ago but the certificate never surrendered. Or perhaps they belonged to a Boeing subsidiary or entity that no longer exists in its original form.
What To Do Next
If I were in your shoes (and I have been in similar ones when helping my own relatives), here's my advice:
First thing—before you do anything else—document what you have. Take clear photos of both sides. Note all the details: issue date, number of shares, serial numbers, the name of the registered shareholder. All of this will matter.
Then, reach out to Computershare, which currently handles Boeing's shareholder services. They can tell you if those shares are still floating around in their system as active. Have the certificate information ready when you call—those poor customer service folks deal with enough confusion as it is.
If the certificate represents active shares, you'll need to establish your legal right to them as part of the estate process. This typically involves probate documents and possibly an affidavit of domicile. (Sorry for the legalese—dealing with financial institutions sometimes feels like learning a foreign language, doesn't it?)
And if the shares turn out to be inactive or already redeemed? That's when you might explore the collector market. Depending on the age, condition, and visual appeal, these certificates can fetch anywhere from "nice dinner out" money to "weekend getaway" funds.
I particularly love these financial time capsule stories because they connect family history with corporate America's evolution. That certificate isn't just potential money—it's a tangible link to your uncle's life choices, his financial hopes, perhaps even his career if he worked in aerospace.
The truth is, most forgotten stock certificates don't fund early retirements. But I've covered enough of these stories to know that occasional pleasant surprises do happen. Back in 2019, I interviewed a woman who found Coca-Cola stock her grandfather had purchased in the 1950s. After accounting for splits and dividends, those few original shares had multiplied into a college fund for her daughter.
In the end, your uncle's Boeing certificate might just end up framed on your wall as a conversation piece. But the detective work required to determine its value? That's a journey worth taking—a small financial mystery that connects you to both family and financial history. And sometimes, that connection is worth more than whatever dollar figure might be attached to those elegantly printed shares.
