The Museum of American Finance (MOAF) has partnered with two historical document dealers on an educational program to place primary source documents in New York classrooms.
As part of the program, Scripophily.com and Scott J. Winslow Associates will donate free stock certificates for social studies teachers throughout the New York area. Teachers are invited to request up to five certificates free of charge for use in their classrooms. These authentic historical stock certificates conveyed real economic value in a pre-digital age. As such, they can be use as primary documents to engage students.
“The Museum of American Finance uses authentic financial certificates to engage the public and educate visitors about financial products and the social benefit they support,” said Chris Meyers, education director for MOAF, which is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. “Scripophily.com CEO Bob Kerstein and Scott Winslow are dedicated to helping students appreciate the importance of finance and are committed to helping us fulfill our educational mission.”
Many of the businesses featured on the certificates were central to economic and political change in the U.S. New York recently updated the social studies scope and sequence guide for the first time in nearly 30 years, making these certificates all the more relevant to the curriculum.
Scripophily is the hobby of collecting authentic stock and bond certificates. The term is derived from the English and Greek words “scrip” (an ownership right) and “philos” (to love). Many collectors appreciate the historical significance of the certificates, while others admire the beauty of the documents, which were printed in various colours with detailed engraved artwork designed to prevent counterfeiting.
The free stock certificate program will run from Nov. 18 to Jan. 18, 2017.