From Longman Business Dictionarypar valueˈpar ˌvalue [countable, uncountable]FINANCE the stated value of a bond, share etc when it is ISSUED (=sold for the first time). This is not necessarily the actual price paid for it. Bonds, for example, may be sold slightly above or below this value. The par value of bonds is used to calculate YIELD (=their profitability to the investor)SYNFACE AMOUNT, FACE VALUE, NOMINAL VALUEThe bonds were trading at about 97% of their par value.Currently denominated at 500 yen par value, the shares will be changed to 50 yen. → see also par → value