DaJester is right - what matters with the JPS is their respective liquidation value which is either $ 25 or $50 upon redemption. PAR value is just an accounting allocation. The PAR value is totally irrelevant to the value of the security - what is the PAR value of common - zero? The document DaJester linked and the share certificate and prospectus for each JPS Series and Common sets out the legal rights of each security at redemption or liquidation in a corporation.