The Trustees of Columbia College Gold Bond from 1909
The Trustees of Columbia College Gold Bond from 1909
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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 bond from The Trustees of Columbia College in the City of New York, dated 1909, printed in dark brown. The top vignette depicts two allegorical female figures flanking the circular seal of Columbia College: the figure on the left holds a sword and trumpet, the figure on the right raises a laurel wreath, with bold denomination cartouches anchoring each side of the composition. Printed by the American Bank Note Company of New York.
The bond carries a sheet of coupons with no cancellation marks, punch holes, stamps or markings present. A horizontal fold line runs across the center, and light toning and handling marks appear throughout, all consistent with a document more than 120 years old. This is a genuinely uncancelled example from an issue that was actively circulated. Offered as a collectible.
The early 1900s were pivotal for Columbia's physical identity. Under president Nicholas Murray Butler, who would later receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for his international peace advocacy, the university had just completed its relocation from Midtown Manhattan to Morningside Heights — a 36-acre campus designed by McKim, Mead and White and opened in 1897. This bond series was part of the financing machinery that made that transformation permanent. Columbia traces its origins to 1754, when King George II of England chartered it as King's College, making it the fifth-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It reorganized as Columbia College after the Revolution, added graduate and professional schools through the 19th century, and formally became Columbia University in 1896. By the time this bond was issued, Butler was executing one of the most aggressive academic expansion programs in American history, and the university's Morningside Heights real estate — portions of which Columbia still holds — was quietly becoming some of the most valuable land in New York City. This bond is a direct instrument of that expansion: a first mortgage obligation secured against Columbia's own Manhattan property at the height of the university's institutional ambition.
Uncancelled Columbia University bonds from this era are not commonly encountered. The American Bank Note Company's institutional engraving work, combined with the Columbia provenance and the bond's clean condition, makes this a natural fit for collectors focused on Gilded Age American educational history, New York City financial documents, or ABNCo printing at its finest.
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.
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