Collectible Stocks and Bonds from North American Railroads     by Terry Cox

A guidebook and catalog of prices
(I do NOT buy or sell certificates on this website)

Search this website for information about collecting stocks and bonds.

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Search the Coxrail database for descriptions of 23,700+ certificates from over 7,400 North American railroad companies.


"Image needed"
for this online database


I display images of certificates when correspondents contribute them or when I can find them among dealer listings. Anytime an image is available, a small image is displayed in the column you just clicked to reach this page.

My requirements for mid-resolution images are less stringent than those for high-resolution images. Whenever someone contributes a high-resolution image, I automatically make thumbnail and mid-resolution images that you see in the database.

I require high-resolution images to be at least 300 dpi (dots per inch = 118 dots per cm) which is roughly the resolution needed to read printers' names. If you cannot read printer names in your scans, increase the resolution to 400 dpi. I display mid-resolution images at 640 pixels wide. To preserve most details, most certificates used for mid-resolution display should be scanned at 200 dpi or higher.

Scanning suggestions. Want to learn more? I have a whole section of this website dedicated to scanning certificates.

  • Scan in full color
  • 300 dpi resolutions are desired, but the minimum resolution for display is 200 pixels per inch
  • No reduction
  • Scan entire certificates with full borders
  • Turn off auto-exposure
  • Turn off automatic sharpening
  • Turn off automatic color adjustments

I NOT need

  • stubs
  • coupons
  • backs

Significant signatures

  • Scan at 600 dpi with some extra space

Hints for scanning certificates too large for your scanner

  • Scan in two or more pieces
  • Always keep the same orientation for all the pieces
  • Scan pieces with at least 1.5" of overlap
  • Remove the cover of your scanner for delicate certificates
  • Although it seldom works, try scanning EXTREMELY delicate certificates in holders
  • Send the pieces and I will patch together

Save format

  • JPG or JPEG. Save at medium-high level quality. I do not need the highest level quality.
  • TIFs and PNGs are okay, but are about 8 to 10 times larger than necessary.

How to send

  • If sending a few JPGs, send as e-mail attachments (zipping does NOT compress JPGs.)
  • If sending TIFs or several JPGs, send via WeTransfer.com (it's free) or use "Dropbox Transfer." (Without going into a long explanation and tedious "geek-speak", I'll just warn that I do NOT use Dropbox.)

 

I strongly recommend buying the Cox Catalog 3rd Edition from your favorite SCRIPOPHILY DEALER. Catalog cover
If they do not carry, or are out of stock, you may buy directly from me. Simply click the buy button below.
$39.95+post


 

 


Papermental logoHelp support this free site! Please visit my eBay store called Papermental by Terry Cox. My inventory includes railroad passes, railroad ephemera, newspapers, magazines, engravings, and all sorts of paper collectibles.

Please contact me if you have certificates not yet listed. (See How You Can Help.)

I suggest using WeTransfer or similar file transfer sites when sending large files or large numbers of files.

PLEASE contact the many fine dealers listed on my dealers page to buy certificates.

© Copyright 2023 by Terry Cox