The Moscow Central Electric Company (Центральное Электрическое Общество въ Москвѣ) was one of the many Belgian-law companies that equipped Imperial Russia with electrical infrastructure at the end of the 19th century. A public limited company with its main office in Liège (Belgium) and its administrative office in Moscow, it was established by deed of 15 February 1896 (notary Biar in Liège, filed with the Liège Commercial Court, published in the Moniteur Belge on 26 February 1896, no. 608). Articles of association sanctioned by H.M. the Emperor of Russia on 19 October 1898, then amended in 1899.

This certificate is a BEARER SHARE OF FIVE HUNDRED FRANCS, dated Liège, 15 June 1899. Number No. 08922. Share capital of 10,000,000 francs divided into 20,000 shares of 500 francs each. French/Russian text. Magnificent sepia/black design in an eclectic spirit: decorative vignettes depicting period electrical equipment (dynamo, motor, transformer, Edison lamp), fine arabesques and large dry stamps at the bottom. Signatures of two directors.

Apparent condition: very good, sturdy cream paper, finely detailed engraving, well-preserved inks, light wear at the folds.

A very fine piece of Russo-Belgian scripophily, of dual collecting interest (Belgium + Russia), a prized electricity theme.