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@currencyinformation.org
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.
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Education
University of BirminghamAreas of Expertise
- Exchange Rate How currencies are valued against one another and how economic conditions, market demand, government policy, and central-bank decisions influence exchange-rate movements.
- Central Banking The role of central banks in setting monetary policy, managing interest rates, controlling inflation, supporting financial stability, and maintaining confidence in national currencies.
- Payment Systems The institutions, rules, infrastructure, and technologies used to process domestic and international payments, money transfers, and financial settlements.
25 latest articles by Helen Wang
New online shop gives collectors 24/7 access to affordable Celtic coins
Chris Rudd's business hits a turning point as Liz Cottam rolls out a new website and an always-open online shop for Celtic coins, all with fixed prices under £1,500.
Hobo nickel collection heads to major auction in 2026
Kagin's will auction the Candace D. Kagin Collection-more than 600 hand-carved hobo nickels, including rare works by Bo Hughes and Bert Wiegand-starting September 28, 2026.
Rare US Treasury artifacts show the untold story of American money
A major Washington exhibition brings together the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, Buffalo Nickel, and 1896 Educational Series notes, exposing the artistic ambitions and political motives behind America's most famous currency designs.
US Mint reveals 2026 Diamond Field Morgan and Peace dollar set
The US Mint is set to launch its 2026-P Diamond Field Morgan and Peace dollar set, featuring a diamond-patterned field, dual 1776-2026 date, and a Liberty Bell 250 privy mark. The set will cost $375 and is limited to 160,000 pieces.
Why the 1974 aluminum cent is still out of reach for collectors
The US Mint made over 1.5 million aluminum cents in 1974, then ordered almost all of them destroyed. Decades later, the few that survived are stuck in legal limbo, with the government insisting collectors can't own them.
Running Antelope on the five dollar bill changed US currency forever
The 1899 five dollar Silver Certificate with Running Antelope's portrait broke new ground in US currency. It set off decades of debate about identity, symbolism, and who gets shown on American money.
King Farouk's coin auction scattered treasures and changed collecting forever
When Egypt sold off King Farouk's legendary coin collection in 1954, thousands of rare coins hit the market at once. The sale set new standards for value, provenance, and showed the risks of forced liquidation in times of upheaval.
Royal Mint marks Wicked anniversary with limited 50 pence coin
The Royal Mint has released a special 50 pence coin to mark 20 years of Wicked in London, giving fans and collectors a chance to own a piece of both musical and currency history. Editions range from gold proof to unlimited uncirculated versions.
E and L Capped Bust Quarters Defy Explanation After 145 Years
A select group of early US quarters stamped with E or L above Liberty's head have puzzled collectors for generations. Despite multiple theories and high auction prices, the true origin of these marks remains unproven.
No FG Kennedy Half Dollars Turn Mint Error Into Collector Prize
A subtle minting error erased the FG initials from some Kennedy half dollars, creating a sought-after variety that still hides in circulation and collections. Collectors who spot this anomaly can uncover genuine value where others see only spare change.
Rare US Treasury artifacts reveal the making of American money
A new Washington exhibition unveils rarely seen coins, banknotes, and original Treasury artwork that shaped the visual identity of US money, offering collectors and the public a unique look at the artistry behind American currency.
Unauthorized US Mint strikes challenge the definition of a coin
The 1913 Liberty Head nickel and 1933 double eagle sit at the heart of a legal and historical puzzle, as unauthorized US Mint strikes continue to test what truly counts as a coin.
Ten Gold Table Mountain Coins Set New Scarcity Benchmark
Monnaie de Paris has minted just ten 10-ounce gold coins featuring Table Mountain, launching a UNESCO World Heritage series that redefines rarity for collectors and highlights South Africa's botanical heritage.
Newman Numismatic Portal moves to expanded digital platform
The Newman Numismatic Portal has migrated to a new digital collections platform, giving researchers and collectors streamlined access to more than 96,000 documents and 155,000 images in a single online repository.
Rare 1933 Double Eagles and Shipwreck Gold Draw Record Crowds in Pittsburgh
The 2026 ANA World's Fair of Money brought all 11 government-owned 1933 Double Eagles together for the first time, showcased shipwreck gold, and saw over $70 million in rare coin auctions, setting a new benchmark for numismatic events.
Coin grading decisions can shift collector value and confidence
A single grade difference can mean years of value retention or loss for collectors. Examining an 1836 Quarter Eagle reveals how subtle surface features and grading methods shape both market price and collector trust.
Can a Coin Exist Without Metal in the Digital Age
As technology transforms payments and materials, the classic idea of a coin is under pressure. From stone discs to digital tokens, what truly defines a coin in modern commerce
Countermarked US Half Dollar Triggers Collector Rush
A new US Mint half dollar with a 9/11 countermark has sparked intense demand among collectors and renewed debate over how quickly coins can be adapted to mark major events.
Rising Silver Prices Force Mints to Rethink Collector Coins
As silver prices climb and production costs surge, mints across Europe and beyond are slashing mintages, raising prices, and experimenting with new alloys to keep commemorative coins viable for collectors.
Finland's Largest Viking Age Silver Hoard Discovered Near Sysmä
A metal detectorist has uncovered nearly 10 pounds of Viking Age silver coins and jewelry in Finland's biggest find of its kind. The hoard, found near Sysmä, includes coins from as far away as Germany and Great Britain.
Canada Unveils First Banknote Featuring King Charles III
The Bank of Canada has revealed a redesigned twenty dollar note with King Charles III's portrait, Indigenous plant motifs, and advanced security features. Circulation is set for early 2027, marking a historic first among Commonwealth nations.
Eisenhower Dollar Prototype Sets Record Auction Estimate
A 1971-S Eisenhower Dollar prototype coin, one of only three known, is heading back to auction with a $264,000 estimate after its discovery in a tube of ordinary silver dollars revealed a unique chapter in US coin history
Kansas City $5,000 Bill Emerges: Only Two Known to Exist
A 1928 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note from Kansas City, one of just two known examples, is headed to auction at GreatCollections. Its appearance highlights how nearly all high-denomination US currency has disappeared from circulation.
Imperial Gold Wedding Medal Anchors Atlas Numismatics' Latest Offering
A 104-gram gold medal from the 1858 royal wedding of British and Prussian royalty, traced to the Hohenzollern Imperial Collection, headlines Atlas Numismatics' new fixed-price list spanning over two thousand years of coin history.
Collectors Pass Over Rare US Coin Series Despite Their Scarcity
Several US coin series with low surviving numbers and unique designs are being bypassed by collectors, including proof Liberty nickels, 2-cent and 3-cent nickels, Trimes, and select foreign issues.
Helen Wang is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Currency Information and writes about currencies, central banks, banknotes, coins, monetary history and international payments.