Three counts of the same stock, each answering a different question.
The most the charter allows the corporation to ever issue.
Shares actually sold or distributed so far, treasury shares included.
Issued shares still in stockholders' hands — issued minus treasury.
A exists apart from its owners: it can own property, sue and be sued, and continue after any single sells out or dies. Owners hold a and can vote in person or by .
A , where granted, lets an existing stockholder buy enough of a new issue to keep their percentage ownership from shrinking.