Key System Transit Company
Key System Transit Company
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Product Details
Beautifully engraved antique stock certificate from the Key System Transit Company dating back to the 1920's. This document, which is signed by the company Vice President, was printed by the Republican Bank Note Company and measures approximately 12 1/2" (w) by 8 3/4" (h).
This certificate's vignette features a female allegorical figure (Columbia) with a shield.
Images
You will receive the exact certificate pictured.
Historical Context

The Key System was a privately owned mass transit company that serviced San Francisco and the East Bay from 1903 to 1960, when it was taken over by AC Transit after a prolonged series of scandals and missteps. Originally the San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose Railway (SFOSJR), the company underwent several transformations and reorganizations until 1923, when it was renamed the Key System Transit Company, and 1938, when it then was renamed simply Key System.
In 1946, National City Lines became majority shareholders in the company, and began decommissioning streetcars in favor of buses; in 1947, nine corporations were convicted of conspiring to monopolize bus sales by the Federal District Court of Southern California, and in 1949, National City, General Motors, and others were convicted of conspiring to monopolize the sale of buses to their subsidiary companies.
The Great Streetcar Scandal, as it came to be known, brought Key System to disgrace, and was a major factor in causing transbay ridership to plummet from 22 million in 1946 to 9.8 million in 1952. By 1958, Key System’s early success had been completely eroded by corruption, anemic ridership, and the greater shift nationally to automobile transportation. Its last commuter train run was on April 20, 1958; in 1960 AC Transit took over operation of the Key System facilities.
General Information
Certificates carry no value on any of today's financial indexes and no transfer of ownership is implied. All items offered are collectible in nature only. So, you can frame them, but you can't cash them in! All of our pieces are original - we do not sell reproductions. If you ever find out that one of our pieces is not authentic, you may return it for a full refund of the purchase price and any associated shipping charges. |
Shipping
We make every effort to ship out all orders within 24 hours of receipt. We ship the majority of orders via the USPS. Shipping within the United States is $5.00 regardless of the number of certificates you purchase. If your order exceeds $30, shipping is FREE! International shipping costs, as well as upgraded services such as Priority and Express Mail, and UPS and DHL services, are calculated during checkout. OVERSEAS ORDERS PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DECLARE FULL ORDER VALUE ON ALL SHIPMENTS. CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL VAT/CUSTOMS CHARGES. As soon as your order is shipped you will receive your tracking information via email. |
Returns
You may return any merchandise, for any reason, within 30 days of the purchase date for a full refund of the purchase price. We guarantee all of our pieces to be authentic. If you ever determine that a piece is not authentic, it may be returned for a full refund of the purchase price as well as any associated shipping charges. |
FAQ
Are the certificates offered on your site genuine or reproductions? All of the certificates you see on our site are genuine pieces, we do not sell any reproductions. Â
Are the certificates you sell negotiable on any of today's stock markets or indexes?Â
No. All of the pieces we sell are either canceled or obsolete and have collectible value only.Â
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Are the images presented in your product listings of the exact piece I will receive?Â
It depends. We try to present images of the exact piece you will receive whenever possible. However, when we are offering quantities of a piece, this is impossible. The best way to determine if the images presented are of the actual piece you will receive or are representative, is to click on the "Product Details" or "Images" tab. The description presented will let you know.Â
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How will you ship my order and how much do you charge? We ship all orders via the United States Postal Service. For orders taking advantage of standard (First Class) shipping, we offer flat rate pricing, so you pay only the advertised shipping charge regardless of the number of pieces you purchase. Current charges may be reviewed here. Priority and Express Mail, UPS and DHL services are also available, and costs are calculated during checkout.
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Can I return my purchase?Â
Absolutely. You may return any merchandise, for any reason, within 30 days of the purchase date for a full refund of the purchase price.
We guarantee all of our pieces to be authentic. If you ever determine that a piece is not authentic, it may be returned for a full refund of the purchase price as well as any associated shipping charges.  |