1863 - STRADA FERRATA CENTRALE TOSCANA - 1 OBBLIG. SERIE B SIENA

railway bond certificate issued in 1863 for the Strada Ferrata Centrale Toscana, specifically for the section between Siena, Asciano, and Grosseto.

Detailed Description of the Document:

1. Heading and Type:

   • At the top, it clearly reads "Strada Ferrata Centrale Toscana".
   • The certificate is from Series B and includes a Volume Number and a Bond Number.

2. Financial Details:

   • The nominal capital of the bond is 500 Lire, with an additional premium of 200 Lire, bringing the total to 700 Lire.
   • It yields an annual interest of 25 Lire (i.e., 5%), payable on a semi-annual basis (January 1st and July 1st each year).
   • The lower part of the document shows a series of coupons for interest payments, each valued at 12.50 Lire, valid from 1863 to 1899.

3. Redemption and Amortization Details:

   • The bonds were convertible into either registered or bearer securities.
   • The capital redemption was planned through a lottery, as indicated by the stamped seal.

4. Legal Information and Stamps:

   • The document is validated with several official stamps, including an "annulled" stamp, indicating that the bond has been redeemed or repaid.
   • The certificate contains various handwritten annotations confirming the payments made.
   • There is a reference to a decree dated August 23, 1862, regulating its issuance.

5. Design and Visual Appearance:

   • The certificate is adorned with detailed decorations, including floral motifs and the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy.
   • The coupons at the bottom are printed in series, sequentially numbered, and sealed with validation stamps.

Historical Significance:

This certificate is an important testament to the period when Italy was developing its railway network, a crucial infrastructure for connecting the different regions of the country after unification. Railway bonds were used to finance these projects, offering investors a guaranteed return backed by the State.