I bought 500 shares in a company in 1998 and still hold the certificates

When I changed my address I notified the registrar and they advised me I only now held 425 as 75 had been transfered to a crest holding and sold though a broker. I contacted the broker and they said they had no record of this.

How can shares be tranfered out of an account to a crest holding without the knowledge of the share certficate holder.

The registrar says although I have my original share certificate for 500 shares my holding is only 425. They also admitt that at time of the 75 shares being transfered out to a crest account and sold they did not issue a replacement certificate for the remaining 425 as would be the normal practise.

I always thought share certificates were proof of ownership is this the case ?

There was no corporate action. The registrar records just say 75 tranfered to a crest holding and sold through a broker. The broker was most helpful and conducter a full search. They also said they had never had any dealings in the shares of this company

I have no intentions of selling the shares but will raise the matter with the company secretary.

I know brokers borrow shares from time to time but mine were held in certificates and not in a nominee account

The money is not a large amount but the principal is very important