When the old round £1 coin was withdrawn from circulation in October 2017 and replaced with the 12-sided version, the Royal Mint estimated that more than £170 million worth of coins were left unreturned.
Fast-forward to 2025, and millions of these coins are still sitting in drawers, tills, charity tins, and piggy banks across the UK. So the question many people ask is: Can you still change old £1 coins in 2025?
Can Banks Exchange Old £1 Coins?
Yes – but only in small amounts.
Some UK banks and building societies may still exchange a limited number of old £1 coins as a goodwill service, especially if you are a customer. However, they will usually only accept:
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A handful of coins at a time
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Small, personal amounts (not bulk bags)
If you’ve got jars, bags, or boxes full of round pounds, your bank will likely refuse them. That’s where a specialist service becomes essential.
How to Change Large Volumes of Old £1 Coins in 2025
At Cash4Coins, we provide a simple and secure way to exchange old £1 coins in bulk – something banks won’t do.
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Send or Arrange Collection – Post small amounts, or for larger collections (charities, retailers, councils), we provide secure courier collection.
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We Sort & Count – No need to separate old £1s from other coins.
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Fast Payment – Cleared funds paid directly into your bank account.
👉 Find out more on our Change Coins page.
Who Still Has Old £1 Coins?
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Charities – donation tins often contain large numbers of round pounds.
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Retailers – tills and cash offices still receive them in error.
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Councils – old £1s still appear in parking meters and vending machines.
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Households – many families have jars or tins full of old coins.
Comparison: Banks vs. Cash4Coins
|
Option |
What You Get |
|---|---|
|
Bank (small amounts) |
May accept a handful of coins if you’re a customer |
|
Bank (bulk amounts) |
❌ Usually refused |
|
Cash4Coins |
✅ Large or small amounts, all accepted and paid quickly |
FAQs About Old £1 Coins
Q: Can I still spend old £1 coins in shops?
A: No. They were demonetised in 2017 and are no longer legal tender.
Q: Do banks still take them?
A: Yes, but only small amounts and at the bank’s discretion. For larger volumes, use a specialist like Cash4Coins.
Q: Can I send other coins at the same time?
A: Yes – send foreign, old, and damaged coins together. We’ll sort and count them for you.
Q: Do charities use this service?
A: Absolutely – many charities exchange large volumes of round pounds from donation collections.
Final Word
While banks might accept a handful of old £1 coins, they won’t help if you’ve got jars, bags, or bulk collections. The good news is, you can still change old £1 coins in 2025 with Cash4Coins.
👉 Visit our Change Coins page today and turn your old £1 coins into real spendable cash – no matter how many you’ve got.
Need Help
Contact our friendly experts on 0161 635 0000 or email admin@cash4coins.co.uk