Par Value

Par Value is a fixed per share value, which is printed on some stock certificates.  Par value is the maximum responsibility that a stockholder bears in the event the company is dissolved.  Par value then becomes the nominal value, or minimum value, at which a share of stock can be issued.

The par value of a stock has nothing to do with the market value of a stock.  Most stocks issued with a par value today usually have values in the $1 to $10 range.  The total par value of stock issued by a company can be found in the owner's equity section of the balance sheet.