A Fast & Easy Guide to Bank of England Old Notes Exchange

Posted by: Ian • 17 Sep 2025

Found some old paper banknotes tucked away in a drawer and wondering what to do with them? You're in the right place. The good news is that old Bank of England notes, like the paper £20 and £50, still hold their full face value indefinitely, even though you can no longer spend them in shops. Our service is fast, easy, hassle-free, and 100% guaranteed to turn them into cash.

Your Guide to Bank of England Old Notes Exchange

If you've stumbled across a stash of old paper money, you’re certainly not alone. It happens all the time when people clear out an old drawer or inherit a collection. While you can go through official channels for a Bank of England old notes exchange, the process often feels slow and clunky, involving paperwork or long trips into the city.

This guide is here to show you a much better way. We offer a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed service to turn your old notes into usable cash, without all the usual hassle. As a trusted partner for major brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, we provide a secure and credible alternative you can count on.

From Paper to Polymer: What Changed?

The Bank of England has gradually replaced all its paper banknotes with more durable and secure polymer versions, with the last paper notes being withdrawn in September 2022. But while polymer is now the standard, those old paper notes haven't lost their worth.

Unlike the currency in some countries, the Bank of England guarantees their value forever, meaning you can always exchange them. You can learn more about their exchange policies on the Bank of England's official site, but our service is designed to simplify that whole process.

Instead of just focusing on old UK notes, we help you cash in on everything at once. This is a game-changer if you've also got leftover foreign currency from past holidays or a jar of mixed foreign coins you don't know what to do with.

The real advantage is convenience. You can convert foreign coins and banknotes, obsolete UK notes, and leftover holiday money in one single, straightforward transaction. No sorting, no separate trips, and no confusion.

A Quick Look at Withdrawn Notes

To give you an idea of what you might have, here are some of the most common paper banknotes that are no longer in circulation but can still be exchanged.

Common Withdrawn Banknotes You Can Still Exchange

Banknote Denomination	Key Figure Featured	Status
Paper £5 Note	Elizabeth Fry	Withdrawn in 2017
Paper £10 Note	Charles Darwin	Withdrawn in 2018
Paper £20 Note	Adam Smith	Withdrawn in 2022
Paper £50 Note	Matthew Boulton/James Watt	Withdrawn in 2022

This isn't an exhaustive list, but it covers the notes people find most often. If you have any of these, they still have value!

One Simple Solution for All Your Old Currency

Forget trying to figure out which coins are from which country or which notes are still valid. Our approach is built for complete ease. You can send us absolutely everything in one package, and our team will handle all the identification, sorting, and valuation for you—with no need to sort coins.

This unique, hassle-free method is perfect for anyone looking to exchange foreign coins and notes alongside their old British money. For a closer look at how it works, check out our guide on the easy way to exchange old British coins and notes.

We turn what feels like a complicated chore into a simple, rewarding experience, making sure you get the full value from your forgotten currency quickly and securely.

Figuring Out Which Old Banknotes You Have

Before you start the process to exchange your old Bank of England notes, it’s a good idea to get a feel for what you're actually holding. Knowing which notes have been taken out of circulation can clear up any confusion and give you a bit more confidence.

The most common paper notes people stumble across these days are the old £20 and £50 notes that were officially replaced back in 2022. Telling them apart from the newer polymer ones is actually pretty simple. It all comes down to the famous faces on the back and the feel of the paper itself.

Spotting the Old Paper £20 and £50 Notes

You can easily identify the withdrawn paper £20 note by looking for the portrait of the famous economist, Adam Smith, on the back. This note has that classic, crisp paper feel, which is very different from the smooth, almost waxy texture of the current J.M.W. Turner polymer £20.

It's a similar story for the old paper £50 note. This one features the pioneering engineering duo, Matthew Boulton and James Watt. If your £50 is made of paper and has these two gentlemen on it, you've got the withdrawn version. The current polymer £50 features the celebrated scientist and codebreaker, Alan Turing.

Withdrawn Paper £20: Features Adam Smith.
Current Polymer £20: Features J.M.W. Turner.
Withdrawn Paper £50: Features Matthew Boulton and James Watt.
Current Polymer £50: Features Alan Turing.

But what if you find even older notes with different historical figures? Don't worry. The Bank of England has released many different series over the years. You might have an old fiver, for example; we have a detailed guide that explores the value of old 5 pound notes. The great news is that all genuine Bank of England banknotes, no matter how old, still hold their face value.

The Easiest Way to Exchange Everything at Once

While identifying your old notes can be interesting, you don't actually need to do any of it when you use our service. This is where we make the entire process completely hassle-free.

Forget about spending your time sorting through notes or worrying if one is too old or a bit tatty. Our service is built to handle all of that for you. We accept everything in one go—old UK notes, leftover foreign currency, and even mixed foreign coins—all in a single, unsorted package. No need to sort your coins!

This is central to our promise of a quick and easy experience. We’re trusted by major UK brands, from supermarkets and airports to police forces, for this very reason: we get rid of the tedious steps. You just gather all your unwanted currency, pop it in the post to us, and our experts will handle all the identification, sorting, and valuation with a 100% guarantee. It truly is the simplest way to cash in on old banknotes and foreign currency without any fuss.

Our Simple And Secure Exchange Process

Found a stash of old notes and wondering what to do? You could go through the official Bank of England exchange, but that often means dealing with paperwork, potential queues, and a bit of a headache. We've built our service to cut right through all that, giving you a fast, simple, and totally secure way to get it sorted.

The whole idea is to make your life easier. You don't need to be a currency expert or spend ages sorting through what you have. Just gather it all up, and we'll handle the rest. We even back it with a 100% guarantee for your complete peace of mind.

This is the typical journey for old banknotes, from the moment you find them to getting them swapped for new money.

As you can see, there’s a clear process whether you post the notes or take them in person. Our service is designed to make this journey even simpler for you.

Getting Started: Your Quick Online Form

The first step couldn't be easier. Just pop over to our website and fill out the quick online form. We don't ask for pages of complicated details or a full inventory of what you're sending. It's simply a way to let us know a package is coming and to tell us how you'd like to get paid.

Once that’s done, we’ll email you a unique reference number and our postal address. That's all you need to get the ball rolling. There's no waiting around for approval; you can pack up your currency and send it off right away. If you're curious about the full journey, you can see exactly how our currency exchange works on our dedicated page.

Packaging Your Currency Safely

Next up is getting your old notes ready to send. We're trusted by major organisations like charities, airports, and even police forces to handle their currency, and you can follow a few simple steps to make sure your package is just as secure.

For banknotes, the best way is to lay them flat inside a good, sturdy envelope. If you're sending coins as well, a padded envelope or a small box is a better bet to stop them from tearing through the packaging in transit.

Here's a practical tip if you have a mix of currency:

Bag the Coins: Pop all your leftover foreign currency coins into a small, sealed bag (a zip-lock bag is perfect) to keep them from rattling around. No need to sort them first!
Keep Notes Flat: Stack up your old Bank of England notes and any other banknotes you might have.
Combine and Secure: Place the bag of coins and the stack of notes together in your padded envelope or box. This will protect the paper notes from getting damaged by the coins.

Finally, don’t forget to pop the printout of your online form—or just a note with your name and unique reference number—inside the package.

Sending, Verification, and Payment

With your package ready, simply send it to us using a postal service you trust. For that extra bit of security, we always suggest using a tracked service so you can keep an eye on its journey. The second it lands with us, our commitment to clear communication kicks in.

We'll drop you an email straight away to confirm it has arrived safely. From there, our experts get to work sorting and verifying everything you’ve sent, from old Bank of England notes to any foreign coins you might have decided to donate to charity. As soon as the valuation is complete, we get your payment processed. It's a genuinely fast, easy, and hassle-free way to turn that old clutter into cash.

Why Is So Much Old Currency Still Out There?

It might sound hard to believe, but there are still billions of pounds worth of old paper banknotes tucked away in homes all over the country. If you’ve ever found a forgotten tenner in an old coat pocket or stumbled upon a relative’s secret cash stash, you know exactly what we’re talking about. These discoveries happen all the time, and they add up to a huge amount of obsolete currency that is still perfectly valuable.

The sheer scale of it is staggering. As of April 2023, there were still roughly 445 million old paper Bank of England banknotes in circulation, worth billions of pounds. The Bank of England does offer exchange services, but it often involves a trip to London or a risky postal process. Our service is designed to give you a much more convenient way to get that value back, without all the hassle. You can dig into the official stats on Saga's money news page.

So, Why Are We All Holding Onto It?

Where does all this old money come from? Honestly, the reasons are usually pretty simple and relatable. People stash cash for a rainy day and then completely forget where they put it. It’s also incredibly common to inherit money from loved ones who preferred to keep their savings in cash instead of in a bank account.

Here are a few real-world scenarios we see all the time:

The 'Safe Place' Stash: Cash gets slipped into books, old wallets, or biscuit tins, only to be rediscovered years later during a big clear-out.
Inherited Boxes: Many people inherit boxes of belongings that contain envelopes stuffed with old notes, left behind by parents or grandparents.
'Just in Case' Money: Sometimes, people just hold onto old notes out of habit, not even realising they’ve been withdrawn from circulation.

Whatever the reason, the outcome is the same: valuable money just sitting there, doing nothing. This is exactly where our simple, stress-free exchange service becomes so important, helping you unlock the value in not just old UK notes but all your forgotten currency.

Unlocking the Value in All Your Forgotten Money

Finding old Bank of England notes is often just the tip of the iceberg. That same drawer might also hold a handful of leftover foreign currency from a holiday you took years ago, or maybe a jar filled with mixed coins from all over the world. Trying to deal with each of these separately would be a massive headache.

This is the very problem our service was built to solve. We offer a single, unified solution to convert foreign coins and banknotes right alongside your old UK paper money. There’s no need to sort anything or make separate trips—just gather it all up.

We’re trusted by major UK organisations, including airports, supermarkets, and even police forces, because our process is fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed. You can send us a mixed bag of old sterling, forgotten euros, and obsolete pesetas all at once. We handle the identification, sorting, and valuation, turning that cluttered drawer into useful cash with minimal effort from you. It really is the easiest way to exchange foreign coins and notes.

The Trusted Way To Exchange All Your Old Currency

When it comes to your money, trust is everything. Whether you're looking into a Bank of England old notes exchange or have a bag of mixed foreign currency from past travels, you need total confidence in the people handling it. It's why some of the UK’s most recognised organisations rely on us for their currency needs.

We're trusted by national charities, major supermarkets, busy airports, and even police forces to manage their currency securely and efficiently. Our reputation is built on a professional service that's fast, easy, and backed by a 100% guarantee. This isn't just a marketing line; it's at the very heart of how we operate.

A Secure And Transparent Process

We get it—sending money in the post can feel a bit nerve-wracking. That’s why we’ve made our process completely secure and transparent. Every single package we receive is opened and handled by trained specialists in a secure environment.

We'll keep you in the loop every step of the way, from the moment your currency arrives with us to the second your payment is sent out. No hidden fees, no confusing jargon—just a straightforward, honest service you can count on.

You don't need to worry about trying to identify old banknotes or sorting through a pile of foreign coins. Just send it all to us in one go, and we'll handle the rest. It really is that simple.

Our all-in-one approach is what truly sets us apart. We offer a single, reliable solution to exchange foreign coins and notes, obsolete sterling, and any leftover holiday money, turning a fiddly task into an easy win.

The sheer volume of currency in the UK is massive. The Bank of England manages over 4.7 billion banknotes worth about £86 billion, and even after being withdrawn, old notes linger for a while. Managing this requires robust systems, and we provide a secure channel for both individuals and organisations. You can actually find some fascinating details on the Bank of England's historical issues page.

Turning Unusable Donations Into Vital Funds

Our work with charities is something we're incredibly proud of. So many non-profits get donations of old British notes and foreign coins that they simply can't bank. These collections often end up sitting in buckets and drawers, representing locked-away value that could be funding their amazing work.

This is where we come in. We help organisations donate foreign coins to charity in a practical way by converting these otherwise unusable assets into spendable cash. Our fast and easy process means they can turn a jumble of mixed currency into tangible support for their causes.

We offer several straightforward payment options, including direct bank transfer and PayPal, so there are no long waits. When you choose our service, you’re not just finding a convenient way to convert foreign coins and banknotes; you’re partnering with a company that major brands trust to deliver on its promises.

Your Top Questions Answered

If you're thinking about exchanging old Bank of England notes, you probably have a few questions. We get it. You want to know the process is simple, trustworthy, and actually worth your time.

Here are the answers to the most common queries we receive. We've designed our service to be fast and hassle-free, removing all the usual roadblocks you might encounter.

Is There a Deadline to Exchange Old Bank of England Notes?

No, there's absolutely no deadline. One of the best things about old UK currency is that genuine Bank of England banknotes hold their face value forever.

So, whether you find a stash of old notes today or ten years from now, you haven't missed your chance. Our service is always here to help you convert them into cash quickly and easily, without any cut-off dates to worry about.

What if My Banknotes Are a Bit Worn or Damaged?

That's perfectly fine. It's rare to find old notes in pristine condition, and we don't expect you to. Minor damage like small tears, creases from being folded, or just general wear and tear from circulation is completely normal.

As long as the banknotes are mostly intact, we can process them for you.

Our service is set up to handle currency in typical used condition. You don't need to worry about whether your notes are "good enough" for exchange—we take care of that for you.

Can I Send Foreign Coins and Notes in the Same Package?

Absolutely! This is one of the biggest perks of our service and what makes it so incredibly simple. Forget sorting through piles of different currencies.

Just put your old Bank of England notes, any leftover foreign currency, and all your mixed foreign coins together in one package. We handle all the sorting and counting for you, turning what could be a headache into a simple, single step. It’s the perfect way to exchange foreign coins and notes all at once.

How Do I Know My Money Is Safe During Transit?

We're trusted by major UK organisations, including police forces, national charities, and airports, to handle their currency exchanges securely and professionally. Their confidence in us speaks volumes about our reliability.

For your own peace of mind, we always recommend using a tracked postal service when you send your package. Plus, our 100% guarantee covers the entire process from the moment we receive your currency until your payment is issued, ensuring a secure and transparent experience from start to finish.

Ready to turn that forgotten currency into cash? At We Buy All Currency, our fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed service is the simplest way to exchange old UK notes, leftover foreign currency, and obsolete coins. Visit our homepage to get started now!