NYBob, thanks again for these enlightening posts you prepare and share with the crowd. I just wanted to let you know what I experienced first hand regarding CALVF stock certificates. About four months ago I had a sizable cert and decided to surrender it so that I could sell some shares and take the proceeds to diversify by purchasing some other prospective mining stocks. I figured that since Caledonia refuses to diversify one its own and buy or JV other mining properties in countries other than Zimbabwe, that I needed to reduce my holdings and do it myself.
Anyway, when it came time to turn over the cert if found that neither Charles Schwab nor Scottrade would accept it. Yes, this even though the cert was worth a substantial amount of money and I had sizable accounts in both brokerages. However, I was fortunate enough to find that TDAmeritrade would accept the cert without question or issue. This was an experience that I never expected to encounter where some highly respected brokerages wouldn't accept a particular stock certificate.
So, based on this first hand experience, if anyone decides to get a physical cert on any particular stock they hold, they might be best served to inquire ahead of time and see if their brokerage will accept it at a later date. I agree it feels safer to have a piece of paper defining ownership in your hands, but if you can't do anything other than frame it and hang it on your wall you're defeating your intended purpose of investment safety.
Anyway, thanks again for your informative posts. Have a good one.