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
Philippine Cash Replacements Fall as Digital Payments Expand
BSP figures show fewer banknotes needing replacement as polymer notes last longer and more deposited cash returns to circulation. Digital payments reached 64.7% of retail payment volume in 2025, but cash remains an important fallback.
Four States Put New Stories on Proposed 2028 Dollar Coins
Proposed 2028 American Innovation $1 reverses pair Nebraska irrigation with Colorado chiles, while North Dakota drone systems and South Dakota bison conservation round out the candidates. None has been confirmed for release.
Columbus Fades from US Money as Icons Shift
Columbus once shared US banknotes and coins with Washington. Now his image is missing from daily currency. The path to his disappearance traces shifting national identity and the politics of who gets honored on American money.
Civil War Three Cent Coins Expose US Mint's Split Tactics
In 1865, the US Mint put out both silver and copper-nickel three-cent coins as the Civil War upended circulation. Their uneven rarity and metal mix still test collectors and mark a turning point in American coinage.
2008 Fractional Buffalo Gold Coins Slip Past Most Collectors
The 2008 American Buffalo 1/10 and 1/4 ounce gold coins pack 0.9999 purity into a rare, single-year run. Collectors eye them as larger bullion coins crowd the market.
Monnaie de Paris launches Disney anniversary coins for collectors
Monnaie de Paris rolls out a Disney coin series for major film anniversaries, including Winnie the Pooh and Cars. Each coin features unique designs and strict mintage caps, fueling demand among collectors.
Rare Eisenhower Dollar Prototype Heads Back to Auction After $264,000 Sale
A 1971-S Eisenhower dollar prototype, once bought for under $10 and later sold for $264,000, is set to reappear at auction in October 2026. Its unique design and mysterious survival have turned it into a landmark of US coin collecting.
US Treasury Shelves Harriet Tubman Twenty Dollar Bill Redesign
Plans to put Harriet Tubman on the twenty dollar bill have been shelved. The Treasury now targets 2030 for any major redesign, keeping Andrew Jackson on the note for the foreseeable future.
Trump Dollar Coin Ignites US Mint Sales Frenzy
US Mint sales have soared as the Donald J. Trump dollar coin lands, moving tens of thousands of units despite fierce debate. Fresh 2026 coins and medals crowd the market, forcing collectors to make tough choices.
Rejected Private Gold Coins Now Fetch Record Auction Prices
Nineteenth-century private gold coins, once melted for low gold content, have become some of the rarest and most expensive collectibles as collectors chase the few survivors.
Heritage Auctions to Sell 1893 Chicago World's Fair Medals
Heritage Auctions will offer 209 certified medals, tokens, and souvenirs from the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition in November 2026. Collectors face a rare shot at documented artifacts with deep provenance.
Doubled Die Error Fuels 1934-D Peace Dollar Frenzy
A dramatic doubled die on the 1934-D Peace Dollar has turned a Depression-era silver coin into a high-stakes target. Scarcity in top grades and market opacity keep collectors on edge.
Rittenhouse Specimen Half Disme Draws Million-Dollar Bids at Auction
The top-graded 1792 half disme, known as the Rittenhouse Specimen, has surfaced at Heritage's GACC Signature Auction after more than a decade, with bidding already topping $1.4 million.
Ireland Marks U2's 50th Anniversary With Special Two Euro Coin
A new €2 coin from the Central Bank of Ireland honors U2's five-decade run, with both uncirculated and proof editions snapped up by collectors across Europe.
CAC Grading launches one-off charity label auction for coin groups
A single auction of 20,000 signed CAC Grading labels has opened new funding for nonprofit coin groups. Organizations may now apply for support as proceeds move to numismatic and charitable causes.
Collectors Push Back on Modern US Coin Designs and Trump Dollar
US coin collectors are voicing strong criticism of recent coin designs, from superhero themes to the new presidential dollar, raising questions about artistic standards and the politicization of currency
Vatican Coins Reveal New Papal Portrait Strategy for Euro Era
The Vatican's 2026 euro coins break with recent precedent by featuring both Pope Leo XIV's portrait and his coat of arms across different denominations, marking a nuanced return to centuries-old numismatic traditions
Finest 1792 Half Disme returns to auction as Rittenhouse link unravels
The highest-graded 1792 Half Disme is heading to auction, but its famous Rittenhouse family history is now in doubt. This twist turns a million-dollar rarity into a lesson in how numismatic history gets rewritten.
Cracked Die Makes 1832 Large Letters Half Dollar a Collector Standout
A dramatic die break and rare lettering make the 1832 Large Letters Capped Bust Half Dollar a key variety for collectors and a physical record of early US Mint challenges
Royal Mint marks Britannia anniversaries with new security on 2027 coins
In 2027, the Royal Mint will issue limited gold and silver Britannia coins with new security features and special anniversary designs, celebrating 40 years of gold and 30 years of silver Britannias.
Thunder Dragon Special Edition Coin Sets New Benchmark for Collectors
A 5-ounce silver coin featuring the Thunder Dragon design launches with only 199 pieces worldwide. Advanced smartminting technology and selective gilding make this Cook Islands issue a standout for collectors seeking rarity and detail
US Mint opens Philadelphia coin production to public for semiquincentennial
The US Mint is inviting the public inside its Philadelphia facility for a series of meet and greets, giving visitors a firsthand look at coin production and a chance to speak directly with mint artisans and security staff.
The 1955 Doubled Die Penny Sets a New Standard for Collectors
As the US Mint halts production of circulating pennies, the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent continues to command record prices and redefine what a pocket coin can mean for collectors and currency history
Beth Deisher returns to ACEF board as US coin market faces counterfeit threat
Beth Deisher, a top name in US numismatics and anti-counterfeiting, is back on the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation board as fake coins keep testing the market.
Netcong's Only National Bank Leaves a Rare Currency Legacy
A single national bank once served Netcong, New Jersey, issuing collectible notes that now attract currency enthusiasts. The story of this small town's financial past reveals how industry, transport, and immigration shaped its unique monetary footprint.
