A. Shares may but need not be represented by certificates. Unless this chapter or another statute expressly provides otherwise, the rights and obligations of shareholders are identical whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.
B. At a minimum each share certificate shall state on its face:
1. The name of the issuing corporation and that it is organized under the law of this Commonwealth;
3. The number and class of shares and the designation of the series, if any, the certificate represents.
C. If the issuing corporation is authorized to issue different classes of shares or different series within a class, the designations, rights, preferences, and limitations applicable to each class and the variations in rights, preferences, and limitations determined for each series (and the authority of the board of directors to determine variations for future series) shall be summarized on the front or back of each certificate for shares of such class or series. Alternatively, each certificate may state conspicuously on its front or back that the corporation will furnish the shareholder this information on request in writing and without charge.
D. Each share certificate (i) shall be signed by two officers designated in the bylaws or by the board of directors and (ii) may bear the corporate seal or its facsimile. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
E. On any bond, note or debenture issued by a corporation that is countersigned or otherwise authenticated by the manual signature of a trustee, the signatures of the officers of the corporation and its seal may be facsimiles.
F. If the person who signed, either manually or in facsimile, a share certificate or bond, note or debenture no longer holds office when the certificate or bond, note or debenture is issued, the certificate or bond, note or debenture is nevertheless valid.
History
Code 1950, § 13.1-20; 1956, c. 428; 1958, c. 564; 1972, c. 580; 1984, c. 613; 1985, c. 522; 1986, c. 623; 1990, c. 227; 2005, c. 765.
