She wants to gift equally to her 3 children. Her stocks were bought many years ago as shares in small banks, small pharmaceuticals, etc. Over the years these companies have been bought up or merged with larger companies. We have no records of their original purchase price and can't seem to find this info from the current holding companies. What cost basis would we use if she were to include these in her gifting? Or would it be wiser for her to keep them until she passes, as our cost basis would start on the day of her death?