Notes to the consolidated financial statements of Aegon N.V.  Note 32 242 In 2012, Vereniging Aegon exercised its option rights to purchase in aggregate 8,021,000 class B preferred shares at par value to  mitigate the dilution caused by the issuance of shares as a result of distribution of dividend in the form of stock.  On March 1, 2011, Aegon completed the issue of 173,604,912 common shares of Aegon N.V. with a par value of EUR 0.12.  The shares were issued at a price of EUR 5.20 per share. The proceeds of EUR 903 million were used to fund part of the repurchase of  the convertible core capital securities described in note 33.  On March 15, 2011, Vereniging Aegon exercised its option rights to purchase 41,042,000 class B preferred shares at par value of  EUR 0.25 (total proceeds of EUR 10 million) in order to mitigate dilution of its voting rights following the issuance of 10% new  common shares completed on March 1, 2011. 32.1 Share capital – par value Annual Report 2013 2013 2012 2011 Common shares 256 236 229 Common shares B 69 - - Preferred shares A - 53 53 Preferred shares B - 30 28 At December 31 325 319 310 Common shares 2013 2012 2011 Authorized share capital 720 360 360 Number of authorized shares (in million) 6,000 3,000 3,000 Par value in cents per share 12 12 12 Common shares B 2013 2012 2011 Authorized share capital 360 - - Number of authorized shares (in million) 3,000 - - Par value in cents per share 12 - - Common shares Common shares B Number of shares (thousands) Total amount Number of shares (thousands) Total amount At January 1, 2011 1,736,049 208 ­ ­ Share issued 173,605 21 - - At December 31, 2011 1,909,654 229 ­ ­ Shares issued - - - - Dividend 62,376 7 At December 31, 2012 1,972,030 236 ­ ­ Shares issued 120,713 14 579,005 69 Dividend 38,716 5 - - At December 31, 2013 2,131,459 256 579,005 69 Weighted average number of  common shares (thousands) Weighted average number of  common shares B (thousands) 2011 1,881,116 ­ 2012 1,936,315 ­ 2013 2,035,240 366,439