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Auction: 341 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1446

Standard Oil Co (OH), 1875, 50 shares. #219. Issued to John Huntington. signed by John D Rockefeller as president and Henry M. Flagler as secretary, US Capitol, semi-nude "Standard Bearer" at lower left. Embossed seal, near the upper right corner. Not cancelled. Full margins, but close at the sides. toned especially at edges, otherwise VF+. Nicely framed with a print of John D. Rockefeller. Early in his business career John D Rockefeller (1839-1937) wisely avoided the risks of drilling for oil, and realized the potential of the oil refining business. By following this strategy he became synonymous with big oil in the United States, creating a virtual distribution and refining monopoly;, and forcing shippers to offer his company rebates and discounts. Smaller oil refiners had difficulty competing and were bought out by Standard Oil. The sellers often received shares, just like this one. Eventually Rockefeller controlled almost 90% of US refineries. When anti-monopoly laws were passed to preserve competition, Rockefeller formed Standard Oil Trust to work around them. He became the world's first billionaire. Standard Oil Trust certificates signed by Rockefeller are highly collectible; early Standard Oil certificates like this one are rarer still.

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$1,200