Thomas Uram (left) and Jeff Garrett (middle) are pictured with Charles Kushner, the U.S. ambassador to France. (Photos: Thomas Uram [photo] & Getty Images/BABAOUI CHOUAAIB)

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The Future of Money

Published June 17, 2026 | 1 min read

By Darcie Graybill

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The Embassy of France and Monnaie de Paris hosted a symposium examining the evolution of money, bringing together numismatic experts, government officials, and financial leaders as part of the commemoration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence.

The event opened with a panel titled “Numismatics: 250 Years of Franco-American Friendship,” which explored the role of coins and medals as symbols of diplomacy, national identity, and historical memory. Speakers included two past ANA presidents: Jeff Garrett, founder of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, and Thomas J. Uram. Joining them were Joaquin Jimenez, chief engraver at the Monnaie de Paris; Joël Le Bon, professor of marketing at Johns Hopkins University; and Julien Sabouret, collection manager at the Monnaie de Paris.

**Panelists discussing Franco-American numismatics at the symposium included (from left): Jeff Garrett, Joël Le Bon, Thomas Uram, Julien Sabouret, and Joaquin Jimenez.** *(Photo: Thomas Uram)*

Following the panel, guests viewed a special exhibition of rare coins and medals, including pieces from the Monnaie de Paris, and attended the unveiling of the new Washington–Lafayette commemorative coins honoring America’s 250th anniversary.

The Future of Money

The second panel, “The Future of Money,” focused on the rapidly changing landscape of currency and financial sovereignty in the digital age. Paul Hollis, Director of the United States Mint, joined Faryar Shirzad of Coinbase and Marc Schwartz of Monnaie de Paris to discuss the future of money, digital assets, blockchain technology, and the continuing importance of public trust in monetary systems.

**Marc Schwartz, director of the Monnaie de Paris, shook hands with Thomas Uram, who showed him a 1900 Lafayette dollar.** *(Photo: Thomas Uram)*

Both discussions were moderated by Steve Clemons, editor at large of The National Interest.

By connecting the history of coinage with emerging financial technologies, the symposium highlighted how questions of trust, sovereignty, and national identity continue to shape the evolution of money in the 21st century.