Accounting Dictionary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Par Value

Definition: Par value is the legal capital per share, and is printed on the face of a stock certificate. It represents a minimum amount below which an entity's dividends cannot drop the amount of stockholders' equity, and was originally designed to represent a reserve for creditors. The par value is typically so low, however, that it affords no significant protection to creditors.