Preserving Monetary Heritage for Future Generations

Founded in 1998, the Truist Currency Heritage Society stands as an independent educational institution dedicated to the study, preservation, and dissemination of numismatic knowledge across cultural and temporal boundaries.

Truist Currency Heritage Society archive room with historical currency collections

Our Barcelona archive houses over 12,000 catalogued specimens

Our Story

A Quarter Century of
Numismatic Scholarship

The Truist Currency Heritage Society emerged from a simple observation: while museums displayed currency as artifacts and dealers traded them as commodities, few institutions bridged the gap between academic rigor and public accessibility in monetary education.

Established in Barcelona in 1998 by a consortium of numismatists, economic historians, and former mint officials, the Society set forth with a singular mission—to create a repository of knowledge that would serve scholars, collectors, and curious minds seeking to understand the profound role currency plays in shaping human civilization.

Our founding coincided with Europe's historic transition to the euro, providing a unique vantage point to document monetary transformation in real time. This experience reinforced our belief that currency tells stories far beyond its face value: stories of empire and independence, innovation and tradition, artistry and security, economics and culture.

Today, the Society maintains extensive archives in Barcelona, collaborates with mints and museums worldwide, and serves as an educational resource for thousands of individuals annually. We remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving monetary heritage while making this knowledge freely accessible to all who seek it.

1998

Founded in Barcelona

12K+

Archived Specimens

45+

Contributing Scholars

Guiding Principles

The Values That
Define Our Work

Four foundational commitments guide every aspect of the Society's research, archival practices, and educational initiatives.

Independence

We maintain complete autonomy from commercial interests, ensuring our research, authentication guidelines, and educational materials remain unbiased and focused solely on advancing numismatic knowledge.

Accuracy

Every piece of information we publish undergoes rigorous verification against primary sources, mint records, and peer-reviewed scholarship. We correct errors promptly and transparently when they occur.

Preservation

We employ archival-grade storage and documentation practices to safeguard currency specimens and historical records, ensuring that future generations can access and study these irreplaceable artifacts of human commerce.

Accessibility

Numismatic knowledge should not be confined to academic circles. We present complex information in clear, engaging language and make our resources available to anyone with curiosity about monetary history and systems.

Leadership

Board of Directors &
Advisory Council

The Society is guided by numismatic experts, historians, and former industry professionals who bring diverse perspectives to our mission of preserving monetary heritage.

Board Chairman

Dr. Rafael Martínez

Board Chairman & Founding Director

Former Chief Curator of the Spanish National Numismatic Collection. Rafael's 35-year career spans academic research, museum curation, and mint consultation. He holds a doctorate in Economic History from Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Research Director

Dr. Mei Chen

Director of Research & Archives

Specialist in Asian monetary systems and ancient coinage. Mei previously served as Senior Numismatist at the British Museum and has authored definitive works on Tang Dynasty currency. PhD from the University of Cambridge.

Technical Advisor

James O'Connor

Security Technology Consultant

Retired Director of Technical Security at the Royal Canadian Mint. James spent three decades developing anti-counterfeiting features for banknotes and coins, holding 12 patents in security printing technology.

Collections Manager

Dr. Isabella Lombardi

Head of Collections & Preservation

Expert in conservation science and archival methodology. Isabella developed preservation protocols now used by several European institutions. She earned her doctorate in Materials Conservation from the University of Florence.

Economic Historian

Dr. Arjun Kumar

Senior Advisor, Economic Context

Professor Emeritus of Economic History specializing in monetary policy evolution. Arjun's research examines the intersection of currency design and economic systems across civilizations. Former advisor to three central banks.

Education Director

Marie Rousseau

Director of Educational Programs

Former museum educator with expertise in making complex subjects accessible to diverse audiences. Marie designs the Society's educational materials and outreach initiatives. Master's in Museum Studies from the Sorbonne.