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how are shares used, and what are they, physically?
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if you are particularly interested in the share certificate artifacts themselves, there is a collection hobby in paper share certificates and bonds, called scripophily.  this can include both active share certificates (for instance, think about giving your kid or grandkid a frameable paper share of hasbro, disney or mcdonalds?), inactive certificates from famous bankruptcies or famous companies of the past, or just the visual interest in scrollwork and engraved vignettes.
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