Your Guide to Exchanging 100 Yen Currency Coins
Posted by: Ian Stainton • 18 Feb 2026
Just got back from Japan? If your pockets are jingling with leftover 100 yen currency, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this iconic coin and show you how to easily convert your leftover yen into pounds with our fast, easy, hassle-free, and 100% guaranteed service. With no need to sort coins, it couldn't be simpler.
Unlocking the Value in Your Leftover 100 Yen Currency
It’s a familiar story: you have an incredible trip, and you come home with a pocketful of foreign money. Maybe you're looking at a handful of those shiny 100 yen coins right now – lightweight, with their distinctive copper-nickel feel and the beautiful cherry blossom design.
Here in the UK, where we love to travel, Brits bring back billions in leftover foreign currency every year. A huge chunk of that is Japanese yen, including the ever-present 100 yen coin (currently worth about £0.47 each). Our fast and easy service is designed to turn that leftover holiday money back into cash or donate it to a good cause. You can find more interesting stats on currency in circulation over on Statista.com.
Why Bother Exchanging Your Foreign Coins and Notes?
Letting that pile of leftover foreign currency sit in a drawer is like leaving money on the table. A single 100 yen coin might not seem like much, but when you add it all up, it can quickly become a surprising amount. This isn't just true for individuals; it's a big deal for businesses and charities, too.
We are trusted by major brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, to exchange foreign coins and notes they collect. The best part? There's absolutely no need to sort them. We handle everything. Our whole process is designed to be completely hassle-free, turning that forgotten holiday money into real, tangible value.
Whether you want to exchange foreign coins for yourself or donate them to charity, the goal is the same: to make sure that money doesn't go to waste. We provide a straightforward, 100% guaranteed path to doing just that.
Our trusted service gives you a reliable way to manage all your leftover foreign currency. We help you:
- Convert foreign coins and banknotes without the headache of sorting them yourself.
- Get a transparent and fair valuation for what you send in.
- Receive your payment quickly and securely.
By choosing to exchange your 100 yen currency and other foreign money, you’re making a smart financial decision. It’s a fast, easy step that effortlessly recovers value you thought was lost.
A Closer Look at the 100 Yen Coin
More than just pocket change, the 100 yen coin is a little piece of Japanese culture you can hold in your hand. You’ll probably notice its distinct, solid feel straight away. Made from a durable copper-nickel alloy, it has a standard weight of 4.8 grams and a diameter of 22.6 mm, making it instantly recognisable among other coins.
But the real story is in the design. On one side (the reverse), you'll find a beautifully detailed engraving of sakura, or cherry blossoms. These flowers are a huge part of Japanese culture, symbolising the beauty and fleeting nature of life. Flip it over, and the obverse clearly shows the value ‘100’ and the year it was minted.
To give you a quick reference, here are the coin's main characteristics.
Key Features of the 100 Yen Coin
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Value | 100 Japanese Yen (JPY) |
| Material | Copper-nickel alloy (75% copper, 25% nickel) |
| Weight | 4.8 grams |
| Diameter | 22.6 mm |
| Edge | Reeded (grooved) |
| Obverse Design | Value '100', year of issue |
| Reverse Design | Sakura (cherry blossoms) |
These features have remained consistent since the coin's introduction, making it a familiar sight for anyone who has handled Japanese currency.
Decoding the Dates on Your Coins
One of the most interesting things about the 100 yen currency is how the dates are marked. Instead of using the Western calendar we're used to, Japanese coins are dated according to the reign of the current emperor. This means your coins could be from one of three recent eras:
- Shōwa (昭和): The reign of Emperor Hirohito (ended in 1989)
- Heisei (平成): The reign of Emperor Akihito (1989–2019)
- Reiwa (令和): The current reign of Emperor Naruhito (2019–present)
Each coin tells a tiny part of Japan's modern history. While most are common, certain years had a much lower mintage, which can make them more interesting to collectors. For a deeper dive into specific issues, you can learn more about the 100 Japanese Yen coin first issued in 1967 in our dedicated guide.
The journey of your leftover currency is pretty simple, from sitting in your travel bag to providing real value back here at home.
As you can see, the lifecycle of foreign coins is straightforward—from being collected on a trip to being converted without any fuss.
Face Value vs Collectible Value
It's really important to know the difference between a coin's face value and its potential collectible value. For almost all the 100 yen coins you bring back from a trip, their worth is simply based on the current exchange rate. It’s only a tiny handful of coins from specific, low-production years that are sought after by collectors.
The 100 yen coin is the workhorse of everyday transactions in Japan. But back here in Britain, it often just sits in a drawer, representing untapped potential for travellers, charities, and businesses. For UK holders, this leftover currency can be easily converted. Even a small handful can add up—for instance, 100 yen is currently worth around £0.47.
For most people, the quickest and most practical way to get value from leftover currency is through a straightforward exchange service. Our process is designed to be fast, easy, and hassle-free, and you don’t need to worry about sorting through your coins to find rare dates yourself. We handle all of that for you.
How to Exchange Your 100 Yen Coins for Cash
So, you're ready to turn that pile of 100 yen currency into actual money you can spend? We've designed our service to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. It's a three-step process we've refined over the years to take all the stress out of exchanging foreign coins and notes.
This whole flow is 100% guaranteed, giving you total peace of mind. We're trusted by some of the UK’s biggest brands, including major charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. They all rely on us to handle their foreign currency collections securely and efficiently.
Step 1: Get a Quote
First things first, let's find out what your currency is worth. Forget about the tedious job of sorting and counting every last coin; our unique system makes it incredibly simple.
- No Sorting Needed: Just scoop up all your leftover foreign currency. It doesn't matter if it's 100 yen coins mixed with other Japanese currency, old banknotes, or even pre-euro money.
- Weigh and Go: Pop the whole lot onto your kitchen scales.
- Instant Valuation: Type the weight into our online currency calculator, and you'll get an instant quote based on the day's exchange rates.
This way, you know exactly what to expect before you even think about sending anything to us. No surprises, just fast and easy service.
Step 2: Pack and Post
Happy with the quote? Great. Now, you just need to get the currency to us. We’ve made this part as painless as possible.
All you have to do is pack your coins and notes securely—a padded envelope for small amounts or a sturdy box for heavier collections works perfectly. Then, just post it to our processing centre. That's it. Your part is done.
This hands-off approach is what our hassle-free service is all about, saving you a huge amount of time and effort. If you're curious, you can read our full guide on how we make coin conversion to cash so simple.
Our whole commitment is to provide a service that is not only fast and easy but also built on trust and credibility. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we guarantee a transparent, 100% guaranteed process every step of the way.
Step 3: Get Paid
This is the best part—getting your money. As soon as your package arrives, our team gets to work verifying the contents and processing your payment right away.
We offer flexible payment options to suit you, including a direct bank transfer or PayPal. You can expect the payment to be processed within five working days of us receiving your currency. It really is that straightforward.
The 100 yen coin has been a fixture in Japan since 1967, and the country remains a very cash-heavy society. To give you an idea, a staggering 128.8 trillion yen was in circulation as of early 2024. This creates a real opportunity, as currency values are always on the move.
For instance, a collection of 10,000 x 100 yen coins (worth ¥1 million) could have jumped in value by 6% in just a few months thanks to favourable exchange rate shifts. It just goes to show how quickly leftover currency can appreciate. You can dig into more stats like this over at the Bank of England's banknote statistics page.
A Smart Solution for Charities and Businesses
That 100 yen currency coin doesn’t have to end its journey rattling around in a dusty collection jar. For UK charities, businesses, and other organisations, leftover foreign coins like these represent a huge, and often completely overlooked, source of income.
Think about it. From those giant collection globes in airports to charity tins in supermarkets and in-flight collections, foreign currency piles up fast. The real headache, though, is turning that mountain of mixed coins back into cash you can actually use.
This is where we come in, turning a logistical nightmare into a simple, profitable solution. We specialise in handling bulk collections of foreign coins and notes, giving you a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to boost your revenue or donations. The best part? There is absolutely no need for you to sort the coins.
Just imagine the time you’ll save. Instead of your staff spending hours trying to separate yen from euros and dollars, you can just bundle all your leftover foreign currency into one package. We take care of everything from there.
Maximising Your Fundraising Efforts
We’ve designed our process to be as efficient as possible, which is why we’re trusted by major UK brands, including well-known charities, national supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. They all rely on our expertise and credibility to handle their foreign currency collections smoothly and effectively.
Here’s a snapshot of how we help organisations like yours:
- Airlines: Those in-flight collections of mixed foreign currency? We turn them into substantial charitable donations, with zero administrative burden for the airline.
- Charities: Foreign coins and banknotes donated during fundraising drives or dropped in collection boxes are quickly converted into pounds sterling, ready to support your vital work.
- Retailers & Supermarkets: Customer donations from tills across hundreds of stores can be consolidated and processed in one simple, secure transaction.
We offer transparent exchange rates and a 100% guaranteed service, making sure you receive the full value of your collection. No hidden fees, no complicated procedures—just a straightforward way to exchange foreign coins and notes.
For organisations that rely on public donations, we offer a reliable partnership built on trust and credibility. We ensure that every single coin, no matter how small, contributes directly to your cause.
Our platform is designed to remove the barriers that stop so many organisations from cashing in on foreign currency donations. You can easily donate foreign coins to charity or turn business collections into revenue with a partner who gets what you need.
By making it simple to convert foreign coins and banknotes, we help you focus on what you do best while we unlock the hidden value in your currency. Ready to streamline your collections? You can start the process right on our homepage.
Turn Your Leftover Coins into Charitable Donations
That little pile of 100 yen currency from your last trip to Japan doesn't have to sit forgotten in a drawer. You'd be surprised how much good even a small amount of foreign money can do when it's put to work. We offer a simple, heartfelt way to transform your leftover holiday cash into vital support for the causes you believe in.
We've built this philanthropic power right into our fast and easy exchange process. You can choose to donate foreign coins to charity, sending the full value of your exchange directly to one of our partnered UK charities. It’s a brilliant way to ensure money that would otherwise just collect dust creates real, meaningful change. And the best part? It's completely hassle-free.
A Hassle-Free Way to Make a Difference
There's a reason we're trusted by major brands, charities, supermarkets, and airports – we make giving simple. You don't need to spend hours sorting through coins or separating different currencies. Just pop your whole collection in a package and send it over. We’ll handle the rest, making sure the full value goes straight to your chosen cause.
The whole process is designed around your convenience:
- No Sorting Required: Just gather all your leftover foreign currency together. It doesn’t matter if it’s old or obsolete money, we take it all.
- Integrated Donation: Simply select the charity donation option when you're going through our exchange process.
- Guaranteed Impact: We promise that 100% of the exchanged value is passed on. Every penny of your contribution counts.
Think about it: a handful of 100 yen coins from one person, when combined with donations from thousands of others, can fund significant projects. This collective effort transforms small change into a powerful force for good.
It's not just about direct monetary contributions, either. Charities often benefit from goods and services, such as donated cancer gift hampers that support their projects. When you donate the value of your currency, you're supporting this wider ecosystem of giving.
Our commitment to social good is woven right into the fabric of our service, providing a clear and easy path for anyone looking to make a difference. If you're curious about the specifics, you might find our detailed guide on where you can donate foreign coins helpful.
Ready to make your leftover currency count? You can start the exchange process right on our homepage and choose the donation option to support a UK charity today. It's that easy.
Right then, let's get that leftover currency sorted.
We’ve travelled through the history of the 100 yen currency, from its place in everyday Japanese life to the forgotten coins and notes you might have tucked away in a drawer here in the UK. The main takeaway? That leftover money shouldn't just sit there collecting dust.
Whether you've got a few coins from a trip to Tokyo, a heavy bag of mixed world currencies from years of travel, or even some old banknotes you thought were worthless, we offer the simplest way to turn them back into real money.
It’s what we do. We’ve built our service on being fast, easy, and trustworthy, which is why we’re the go-to choice for some of the biggest names in the UK. National charities, major supermarkets, airports, and even police forces trust us to handle their foreign currency collections.
Fast, Easy, and Guaranteed
We’ve designed our process to be completely hassle-free. Seriously, there’s no need to sort through your coins or notes. Just gather everything up, send it to us, and we’ll handle the rest. It’s this simple approach that lets you exchange foreign coins and notes that other places simply won't touch.
We’re so confident in what we do that we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely happy with our valuation for any reason, we’ll send your currency straight back to you, completely free of charge. It’s all part of our promise to be a credible, transparent, and risk-free way for anyone to convert foreign coins and banknotes.
Stop letting that old holiday money go to waste. Our fast and secure process makes it easy to unlock its value. In just a few days, you can have the cash in your account or donated to a great cause.
So, what are you waiting for? Don’t let that travel money sit idle for another year. Turn your leftover 100 yen currency and any other foreign cash into something useful today.
Ready to get started? Head over to our homepage now to begin your hassle-free exchange.
Your 100 Yen Questions Answered
We get a lot of questions about exchanging 100 yen coins and other bits of foreign money. To clear things up, we've put together answers to the most common queries we hear, so you can feel confident sending your currency to us.
Are Old 100 Yen Coins Still Valid?
Yes, every 100 yen coin minted from 1967 onwards is still legal tender in Japan. The catch? Getting them exchanged at a high street bank or bureau de change here in the UK is next to impossible.
That's where we step in. We accept all versions of the 100 yen coin, which means there’s no need to sort them by date or design. Our process is designed to be fast and easy, handling all your foreign coins, whether they're the latest design or have been sitting in a jar for decades.
How Much Is a 100 Yen Coin Worth in Pounds?
The exchange rate for the Japanese yen is always on the move, but as a rough guide, a 100 yen coin is typically worth around 40-50 pence. For a precise, up-to-the-minute valuation, your best bet is our online currency calculator, which uses live rates.
This way, you can see exactly what your currency is worth before you even send it, giving you total transparency.
Our goal is to make this a completely hassle-free experience. We give you all the information you need upfront, so you can make a decision with total peace of mind.
What If I Have Other Foreign Coins Mixed In?
That's perfect! In fact, that’s exactly what our fast, easy service is designed for. You don't need to do any sorting whatsoever. Just send us your entire collection of mixed leftover foreign currency, and we’ll handle the rest.
We are experts in how to exchange foreign coins and notes from all over the world. This includes:
- Old or obsolete coins from past travels.
- Pre-euro currencies like German Deutsche Marks or French Francs.
- A jumble of different world coins and banknotes.
We take on all the sorting and valuation work, which is what makes our service so simple and effective for you.
How Do I Know I Can Trust Your Service?
Earning your trust is our top priority. We're a credible and reliable partner, trusted by major UK organisations to handle their foreign currency collections. Our partners include well-known charities, national supermarkets, airports, and even police forces.
On top of that, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not completely happy with our valuation for any reason, we will return your currency to you, free of charge. Your confidence in our process means everything to us.
Ready to unlock the value in your leftover currency? With We Buy All Currency, you can convert your foreign coins and banknotes quickly and securely. Visit our homepage to get started today!