Big Lots, Inc. Common Share Certificate

Summary

This document certifies that the named holder owns fully paid and non-assessable common shares of Big Lots, Inc., a company incorporated in Ohio. The shares are transferable on the company's books by the holder or an authorized attorney upon proper endorsement and surrender of the certificate. The certificate must be countersigned by the transfer agent and registered by the registrar to be valid. It also outlines procedures for transferring shares and provides information on shareholder rights upon request.

EX-4.A 3 l94122aex4-a.txt EX-4(A) 4(a) COMMON SHARES [CORPORATE LOGO OF BIG LOTS] COMMON SHARES THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE SHARES IN CLEVELAND, OHIO AND NEW YORK, NEW YORK SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO CUSIP 089302 10 3 THIS CERTIFIES THAT IS THE OWNER OF FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE COMMON SHARES, $.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE, OF BIG LOTS, INC. [SHARE CERTIFICATE] transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate is not valid until countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. Dated: COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: [SIGNATURE OF CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER] [SIGNATURE OF VICE CHAIRMAN AND NATIONAL CITY BANK CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER] (CLEVELAND, OHIO) VICE CHAIRMAN AND TRANSFER AGENT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND REGISTRAR [SIGNATURE OF GENERAL COUNSEL AND CORPORATE SECRETARY] AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE GENERAL COUNSEL AND CORPORATE SECRETARY

[STATUE OF LIBERTY PHOTO] NUMBER BL [BIG LOTS INC. CORPORATE SEAL OHIO ARTWORK] BANKNOTE CORPORATION OF AMERICA BIG LOTS, INC. THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE RECORD HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WHO SO REQUESTS, THE DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF SHARES OR SERIES THEREOF AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR RIGHTS. ANY SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE CORPORATION OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - Custodian ---------- --------- (Cust) (Minor) TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants Act in common ---------------------------- (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. For value received, ______________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE _________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE OF ASSIGNEE) _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ of the shares represented by the within Certificate and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ______________________________________________________________________ Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises Dated, ________________________ X ____________________________________________ (SIGNATURE) X ____________________________________________ (SIGNATURE) ______________________________________________ ABOVE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER. THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION SUCH AS A SECURITIES BROKER/DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OR A CREDIT UNION PARTICIPATING IN A MEDALLION PROGRAM APPROVED BY THE SECURITIES TRANSFER ASSOCIATION, INC.