[lookout123]

1) mining stocks? many of them are likely worthless, but you never know until you do the leg work.

2) It is possible that some of these may have been sold already, but ONLY if he had gone through the horrendously difficult process of having a duplicate certificate created because he misplaced these. quite unlikely.

3) if you are not morally opposed to sales charges when you sell these, seek the help of a trusted broker. you can use your father's if you want, but I suggest you interview a couple that YOU would trust to do business with in the future. If he/she is worth their salt they will gladly help a potential client research all that is knowable about these holdings. IMO well worth the cost, but obviously I'm biased. Even if you don't plan on selling these, seek a broker who can eliminate the need for certificates and allow for pure electronic registration (Street name stock) huge huge huge help in eliminating record keeping problems.