RARE: Mustang Ranch specimen stock certificate
This certificate was created in anticipation of the company going public, which fell through
Incorporated October 21, 1987, hole-punched August 6, 1990
The famous legal brothel, bordello, whorehouse in Nevada
Vignette of the company logo
High quality printing by Security Columbian United States Banknote Company
Cancelled with the small hole-punching of the word Specimen
A specimen stock certificate is an original authentic stock certificate with usually just a few certificates printed by the banknote companies to give to their sales people to show as examples of their printing. They are identical to the issued certificates except that they usually have the word Specimen printed or stamped on them. Because there are so few Specimens, they are much rarer than the issued certificates.
More info about Mustang Ranch:
The Mustang Ranch is a famous legal brothel located in Storey County, Nevada, USA. Its history is colorful and spans several decades:
Early History: The Mustang Ranch's history can be traced back to the 1940s when it was originally established as a bordello called the Triangle River Ranch. Prostitution was illegal in most of Nevada at the time, but the state allowed counties with populations under a certain threshold to legalize and regulate it.
Legalization: In 1971, Joe Conforte, who had purchased the Triangle River Ranch, successfully lobbied for the legalization of prostitution in Storey County. The brothel was then renamed the Mustang Ranch.
Controversies: Over the years, the Mustang Ranch faced several controversies, including allegations of tax evasion, organized crime involvement, and violations of health and safety regulations. Joe Conforte, the brothel's owner, was even convicted of tax fraud and fled the United States to avoid serving his prison sentence.
Closure and Sale: In 1999, the federal government seized the Mustang Ranch and its assets due to Conforte's tax debts. The brothel was briefly closed, and its belongings were auctioned off.
Reopening: The Mustang Ranch was later purchased by a group of investors, and it reopened under new management in 2005. It continued to operate as a legal brothel, adhering to Nevada's strict regulations regarding the sex industry.
Legislation Changes: In 2018, brothel owner and Republican Assembly candidate Dennis Hof, who owned several legal brothels in Nevada, including the Mustang Ranch, passed away. His death led to some discussion about the future of legal brothels in the state.