Ultimate Guide: What to Do with Leftover Currency

Introduction

If you’ve ever come home from a trip with a pocket full of coins or found an old stash of foreign banknotes in a drawer, you’ve probably wondered what to do with leftover currency. The challenge is that banks won’t take coins, bureaux de change usually refuse anything but notes, and obsolete money like pesetas or francs can’t be exchanged at all. The result? Millions of pounds in foreign coins and banknotes sit unused across the UK.

The good news is that there’s an easy way to turn that forgotten currency into real value—whether as cash in your account or as a donation to charity.

Why leftover currency is such a common problem

It’s estimated that billions of pounds in old and foreign currency remain unexchanged in the UK. Some of the main reasons include:

• Coins are refused – Even for active currencies like euros or dollars, banks and bureaux de change won’t accept coins.

• Obsolete notes – Popular travel money like Spanish pesetas, French francs, and German marks have been withdrawn but still sit in drawers.

• Small amounts – Many people think their holiday change isn’t worth much, so it gets ignored.

• Charity donations – Organisations, schools, and community groups often collect coins but don’t know how to convert them into cash.

This is exactly the gap that Cash4Coins fills.

Your options for dealing with leftover currency

1. Save it for your next trip

You could keep your euros or dollars for the future, but if you travel to different destinations, those coins may never get used.

2. Donate to charity

Many charities welcome foreign coins and old notes, but handling and exchanging them can be complex. With Cash4Coins, you can choose to donate directly, and we’ll pay the charity and provide a donation receipt.

3. Use a specialist exchange service

Specialist services like Cash4Coins make it simple:

• We accept any currency, any age

• Both coins and banknotes are welcome

• Damaged or withdrawn money is included

• Fast turnaround and clear payment

4. Keep rare items as collectables

Some obsolete notes and coins can have collector value, but unless you’ve got rare pieces, the vast majority are worth only face value.

Why Cash4Coins is the trusted choice

Cash4Coins is the UK’s most trusted foreign coin and note exchange service, working with organisations across the country. We are relied upon by:

• UK airports

• Major banks

• Supermarket chains

• National charities

• Popular attractions (theme parks, museums, venues)

• Police forces

• Local authorities

• High street brands

This track record demonstrates not only our reliability, but also the scale and security of our service. Whether you’re an individual with a jar of coins or a large organisation with bulk currency, we provide a professional and hassle-free solution.

How the process works

1. Fill out the online form – Tell us a bit about the currency you’re sending.

2. Send your coins and notes – Choose Freepost (for smaller amounts), local drop-off with Evri, or courier collection for bulk.

3. We sort and count – Every item is checked, including damaged or obsolete coins.

4. Receive payment or donate – Get fast payment directly into your account, or nominate a charity and we’ll handle the donation.

Most payments are made within hours of receipt.

FAQs

Do you accept mixed coins and notes?

Yes. Just send them unsorted—we handle everything.

Can I send obsolete or damaged currency?

Absolutely. From pre-decimal British coins to withdrawn foreign notes, we can process them.

What if I only have a small amount?

We’ll advise you if it’s worth sending, or you can choose to donate instead.

How do I know you’re safe to use?

We’re trusted by airports, banks, supermarkets, charities, police forces, and local authorities across the UK.

Conclusion – Don’t let your coins go to waste

Your leftover currency has more value than you think. Whether it’s a bag of holiday change, a collection of obsolete banknotes, or donations from a school or charity, Cash4Coins makes it fast and easy to turn it into something worthwhile.

Trusted nationwide by leading organisations, we give you peace of mind, fast payments, and a guarantee that any currency, any age is accepted.

Start Exchange

Convert your leftover currency today with Cash4Coins.