Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway Company (now MBTA) Unissued Stock Certificate from 1800s
Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway Company (now MBTA) Unissued Stock Certificate from 1800s
Couldn't load pickup availability
Are the certificates authentic?
Are the certificates authentic?
Yes, all of the certificates we sell are authentic stock and bond certificates unless otherwise mentioned in the description. At one point in time, this certificate represented a share of of the company, or a bond receipt. These certificates have been removed from circulation and digitalized, as seen by cancellation holes, stamps and writing on the certificate. We offer these certificates as a collectable item, not a security.
This is an original, unissued stock certificate from the Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway Co., dated 1800s, printed on white paper in green ink.
Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway Company operated along Boston's prestigious Commonwealth Avenue, one of the crown jewels of the Back Bay district. Founded during the 1880s streetcar boom, the company served the fashionable Back Bay neighborhood that had been created through massive landfill projects in the Charles River basin. The line connected Boston's wealthy residential districts with the downtown business core, carrying passengers along the grand boulevard modeled after Paris's Champs-Élysées. This was the era when Henry Whitney was consolidating Boston's scattered streetcar lines into the powerful West End Street Railway, transforming urban transportation across the region. The Commonwealth Avenue line was eventually absorbed into Boston's expanding transit network, which would later become part of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority system still serving the city today.
You will receive a certificate similar to the one shown. While each piece shares the same design and era, slight variations in serial numbers, signatures, and natural aging may occur. This example shows clean, crisp printing with intact decorative borders and no visible cancellation markings.
Boston streetcar certificates are highly sought after by transportation collectors, representing the golden age of urban transit when electric streetcars revolutionized American cities. Offered as a collectible.
Materials and care
Materials and care
Here are some quick tips to preserve your certificate for decades to come.
Paper quality: Stock certificates were printed on a variety of certificate paper dating back to the mid 1800s. Most of these vintage collectable certificates have signs of used & wear , cancellation holes, pencil / pen writing, stamps, staples, adhesives, slight rips, missing coupons and other features.
Handling: Always handle the certificate with clean, dry hands or use cotton gloves to avoid transferring oils and dirt from your skin onto the paper.
Storage: Store the certificate in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can cause fading. Use acid-free folders or archival-quality plastic sleeves to protect it from moisture, dust, and physical damage.
Framing: If displaying the certificate, use a frame with UV-protective glass to prevent light damage. Ensure the certificate is mounted using acid-free materials to avoid any chemical reactions that could degrade the paper over time.
Avoid Exposure: Keep the certificate away from direct sun, extreme temperatures and humidity, which can cause the paper to warp or deteriorate. Avoid exposing it to pollutants, such as smoke or chemicals, which can cause discoloration.

On orders over $50
Or your money back
Trust us to build their collection
Secure payment with all major providers
Trusted By Thousands of Collectors
Let customers speak for us
Art with a Backstory
Every Certificate Tells A Story
Turn rare stock and bond certificates into timeless décor. Piece showcases bold colors, engravings, and historic signatures perfect for an office, library, bar, common area, museum & more.
Orders Ship Daily
Direct From Wall Street's Archives
Orders are shipped flat with care, tracked & insured with USPS, in a strong, rigid, protected envelope. Daily fulfillment Monday - Thursday from NYC.
Railroad Stock & Bond Certificate Collectable Bundle Five Pack - 4x Stocks & 1x Bond

Discover 1,000s of Wall Street Collectables
Explore Our Collections
-
American Classics
Showcasing the evolution of American industry through beautifully engraved certificates from iconic...
-
Banks, Insurance & Investment
Discover the rich history of American finance with our collection of authentic...
-
Food & Drink
Collectible Food & Drink Stock & Bond Certificates for Sale - Hershey's, Nabisco,...
-
Transportation
Discover our collection of collectable stock and bond certificates for sale from...
-
World Wars
Discover our unique collection of World War-era bonds and Disney wartime memorabilia,...









