Helen Wang is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Currency Information and writes about currencies, central banks, banknotes, coins, monetary history and international payments.
Helen Wang
25 articlesFounder and Editor-in-Chief
Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Financial Writer
Helen Wang is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Currency Information and writes about currencies, central banks, banknotes, coins, monetary history and international payments. She explains complex financial changes in practical terms, with particular attention to costs, risks, and conditions readers should examine before acting.
25 latest articles by Helen Wang
US Mint Selects 37 Artists to Shape Future American Coins
The United States Mint has chosen 37 artists, including four new participants, for its 2026 Artistic Infusion Program. Their designs could soon appear on circulating coins, commemoratives, and official medals across the US.
Rare 1861-O Half Dollar Reveals Civil War Coinage Mystery
A unique 1861-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar, struck as the US fractured in 1861, links three governments and challenges long-held beliefs about Civil War-era coin production at the New Orleans Mint
Jersey's Coinage: From Wartime Shortages to Decimalization and Royal Change
Jersey's coins and banknotes reveal a century of political upheaval, wartime occupation, and monetary reform, from rare royal issues to the transition to decimal currency and the latest commemorative coins
eBay Adds Authentication for Collectible Coins Over $500
eBay is extending its Authenticity Guarantee to collectible coins priced at $500 or more, offering buyers and sellers professional verification through PCGS at no extra charge. The move aims to address growing demand and concerns over counterfeit coins.
Finest 1879 Quintuple Stella to Return at Heritage's 2026 Auction
A rare 1879 Quintuple Stella gold coin, the best-preserved of only five ever made, will be auctioned by Heritage in 2026 after nearly two decades off the market, highlighting a unique episode in US monetary history
How the 1824 Central American 8 Reales Outlived Its Republic
The 1824 Central American Republic 8 Reales silver coin became a symbol of independence and unity, surviving long after the federation that issued it dissolved, and even circulating in the United States as legal tender
Seventeen New Collector Coins Explore History and Innovation in 2026
A new series of seventeen collector coins for 2026 highlights global history, engineering, and cultural heritage, with limited mintages and advanced minting techniques drawing attention from numismatists and collectors worldwide
1921-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar Remains a Key US Coin
The 1921-D Walking Liberty half dollar stands out for its low mintage and heavy circulation, making it one of the most sought-after US coins of the 20th century and a benchmark for collectors tracking rare American silver coinage
Parsons Coin Club Marks America 250 With Commemorative Exhibits
The Parsons Coin Club in Kansas is showcasing coins and medals reflecting key moments in American history, including America 250, at the Parsons Public Library throughout September, with special events and educational resources for the community
US Mint Issues 9/11 Memorial Half Dollars with Special Privy Mark
The US Mint has delivered 2,983 Enduring Liberty half dollars, each featuring a unique 9/11 memorial privy mark, to the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, marking a significant numismatic tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks
China's 'Chinese Dragon' Coin Wins 2026 Coin of the Year Award
China's 10 yuan silver 'Chinese Dragon' coin has been named the 2026 Coin of the Year at the World's Fair of Money in Pittsburgh, marking the country's first win and highlighting global trends in coin design and innovation
How Foreign Coins Shaped Early U.S. Money and Circulation Rules
Foreign coins once played a central role in U.S. commerce, with legal status and circulation rules evolving over time. This article examines how these coins entered, influenced, and eventually exited the American monetary system
Collectors Divided Over New Semiquincentennial Dollar Coin Release
The upcoming Semiquincentennial dollar coin, featuring a living president, has sparked strong reactions among collectors, raising questions about tradition, precedent, and the future of U.S. commemorative coinage
How Bullion Coins Became a Global Collecting Trend
Bullion-priced gold and silver coins are not just investment assets-they have become a foundation for collectors worldwide, offering a way to build diverse collections while tracking metal values and market premiums
France Launches Marianne Bullion Coins to Enter Global Gold Market
France's Monnaie de Paris is introducing new Marianne gold bullion coins in four sizes, aiming to attract domestic investors and compete with established international bullion coins while navigating EU tax rules and investor demand
Pound Sterling Faces Downside Risk Against Euro as Forecasts Shift
A new survey of major investment banks suggests the pound is overvalued against the euro, with forecasts pointing to a potential 300-pip decline by year-end. Currency planners and businesses may need to prepare for a weaker GBP/EUR rate
Rising Interest in Everyday Coins Signals a New Generation of Collectors
A surge in questions about ordinary coins from new collectors highlights the importance of education and engagement for the future of coin collecting, as curiosity shifts from rare pieces to the coins found in daily life
China's Silver Dragon Coin Wins 2026 Coin of the Year Award
The 2026 Coin of the Year ceremony in Pittsburgh recognized ten outstanding coins for artistry and innovation, with China's silver 10 yuan Dragon coin taking the top honor for the first time in the award's history
1848 Gothic Florin Pattern Returns to Spotlight After "Godless Florin" Scandal
A rare 1848 Gothic Florin Pattern, central to Britain's early decimalization and the "Godless Florin" controversy, will be auctioned in 2026. Its story reveals how a single coin design ignited debate over tradition, religion, and monetary reform.
1899 $2 Silver Certificate: The Mini-Porthole's Rare Signature Pair
The 1899 $2 Silver Certificate, known as the Mini-Porthole, stands out for its unique design and the rare combination of Napier and McClung signatures, linking the note to a pivotal era in American monetary and social history
Ten Commemorative Coins Highlight Global Aspirations for 2026
A new wave of commemorative coins from ten countries marks milestones in peace, human rights, and environmental protection, reflecting how currency design can capture national memory and global ideals
Rare 'July 4th' Trump Dollar Surfaces Before Official US Mint Release
A 2026 Donald J. Trump $1 coin featuring an unannounced 'July 4th' privy mark has been found ahead of the US Mint's public launch, raising questions about mintage, distribution, and collector value as the Semiquincentennial approaches
The 1866 Liberty Seated Dime: A Reconstruction-Era Coin Rarity
Struck in just 8,000 pieces on a single day, the 1866 Liberty Seated Dime from Philadelphia stands as a rare survivor of America's turbulent Reconstruction period, reflecting both monetary upheaval and collector intrigue
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Rate Hike Expected in November
The Reserve Bank of Australia is now forecast to raise its cash rate to 4.60% in November after July inflation data exceeded expectations, strengthening the Australian Dollar's yield advantage and shifting currency market sentiment
Canadian Dollar Faces Trade War Scenarios as CIBC Sets Limits
CIBC Capital Markets outlines three possible paths for the Canadian dollar as trade tensions with the US escalate, projecting that even in the most severe case, losses will be contained and the USD/CAD rate will not exceed 1.41
