The Joint-stock Companies Act, 1857
XIII. Issue of shares by Company.-
As soon as a certificate of incorporation has been granted by the Registrar of Joint-Stock Companies, the Company may issue certificates of shares to the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association, and to all other persons to whom shares may be allotted, of such number and amount as may be prescribed by the Memorandum of Association, but not of any greater number or amount; the shares so issued shall be personal estate, and shall not be of the nature of real estate, and each share shall be distinguished by its appropriate number.