Collectible Stocks and Bonds from North American Railroads
by Terry Cox

Pennsylvania

One of original colonies
Became state: December 12, 1787

The Pennsylvania "state seal" is probably the most recognizeable seal of any state. Over 200 distinct varieties of railroad certificates are already known that display the seal. In fact, most states offer fewer varieties of certificates than are known from Pennsylvania that display the state seal! Pennsylvania is second only to New York in the number of total known varieties of collectible railroad certificates. Be warned, though, that many certificates from the street railroads of Philadelphia and suburbs are very hard to find.

This by far is most heavily imitated "seal" on railroad stocks and bonds. Actually the official state seal is merely the central shield framed by an olive branch and a stalk of maize. (Shown below) On the shield is a ship, a plow, and three sheaves of wheat. An eagle perches above. The official state coat of arms (shown above) includes the shield design as well as support by two horses. This is the design that appears on a huge number of certificates. While the horses are both black in the official version, a majority of the unofficial imitations use one white and one black horse.

Number of Varieties of collectible certificates
(counting all companies that operated within the state)
Tremendous number (more than 1700 varieties)
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