Your Guide to belgium old currency: How to Exchange for Cash
Posted by: Ian Stainton • 15 Mar 2026
If you've ever found a stash of old Belgian francs from a holiday or inheritance, you might have assumed they're nothing more than souvenirs now. The good news is, you could be sitting on real cash. Many of those old notes can still be exchanged for pounds sterling, and our simple, guaranteed service shows you exactly how.
What to Do with Your Old Belgium Currency
Found a handful of old Belgian francs tucked away in a drawer? It's easy to think this obsolete currency is now worthless, but that couldn't be further from the case. Many of these notes, especially the Belgian franc banknotes from the last series before the euro came along, still hold real monetary value.
That's great, but it usually leads to the next big question: how do you actually turn them back into cash? The process can feel like a headache, which is why we've designed our service to be completely fast, easy, and hassle-free. We offer a straightforward way to exchange foreign coins and banknotes, taking all the stress and complication out of your hands.
A Simple and Guaranteed Exchange Process
Our main goal is to make exchanging your leftover currency as simple as it gets. Don't worry about spending hours sorting through piles of mixed-up money. One of the best parts of our service is that there's no need to sort coins or notes. Just gather up everything you have, and we’ll take it from there.
Our trusted process is 100% guaranteed:
- Pack it all together: Simply put all your old Belgian currency—both notes and coins—into one package.
- Send it our way: Post your currency to our secure facility.
- Get paid fast: We'll process everything and send your payment by bank transfer or PayPal.
We’re trusted by major UK brands—including well-known charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces—to handle their currency exchange. That credibility means your old currency is in safe, professional hands.
Why Is There So Much Old Currency Still Out There?
It might surprise you just how much old currency is still floating around. When Belgium switched to the euro, a huge amount of Belgian francs was never actually exchanged. In fact, at the end of 2001, there were still over 314 million banknotes out there, and an incredible 15.9% of those notes are still waiting to be converted.
That means countless people are holding onto money that could be put to good use. Whether you have a small amount left from a holiday or a much larger collection, our service is the practical solution. If you're wondering what to do with other old currencies you might have, you may find our general guide on what to do with old currency useful. It’s time to turn those forgotten francs into pounds sterling, with no fuss.
The Story Behind the Belgian Franc
Knowing the story behind your belgium old currency makes turning it into cash feel a bit more special. The Belgian franc first appeared back in 1832, not long after the country gained its independence. For nearly 170 years, it was a proud symbol of the nation’s identity, changing and adapting through times of peace, war, and growth.
This long and varied history means the notes and coins you've stumbled upon could be from many different eras, each with its own tale to tell. Early francs often showcased monarchs like King Leopold I, while later versions celebrated Belgium’s rich culture of art and science. It’s a real piece of history right in your hands.
The Curious Case of Two Francs
If you’ve found a mix of Belgian and Luxembourgish francs in your collection, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s quite common! This is all down to a unique monetary agreement the two countries had for most of the 20th century.
Starting in 1922, Belgium and Luxembourg formed an economic union that allowed their currencies to be used in either country at a one-to-one value. That meant a Belgian franc was perfectly good in Luxembourg, and a Luxembourg franc was accepted everywhere in Belgium. For locals and travellers, they were basically the same money, which is why so much leftover foreign currency from the region is a blend of both.
Our service is built on a foundation of trust and simplicity. We are the chosen currency exchange partner for major UK organisations, including leading charities, supermarkets, airports, and police forces. Their confidence in us is your assurance of a professional, reliable service.
From Francs to Euros A New Chapter
The final curtain fell for the Belgian franc on 1 January 2002, when the euro took its place as the official currency. After a short two-month handover period, the franc was officially withdrawn, marking a new era of European integration. For a deeper look at this trend, you can check out our guide on the former currencies of Europe.
While you can no longer spend francs in shops, their story isn't over. As we mentioned earlier, a surprising number of banknotes were never exchanged. This is where we come in, offering a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to convert your old foreign coins and banknotes into cash.
There’s no need to sort through your stash or try to figure out which issues are which. Our process is 100% guaranteed—just send us all your unsorted currency, and we'll take care of everything. We make it simple to exchange foreign coins and notes, turning that forgotten collection into real money with complete peace of mind.
Identifying Your Belgian Banknotes and Coins
Found a stash of old Belgian currency and wondering what you’ve got on your hands? It can be tricky trying to tell a valuable 10,000 franc note from a common 100 franc one. This quick guide will help you spot the last series of Belgian francs that were used just before the euro took over.
These final banknotes are usually the ones with exchange value, and they’re quite easy to recognise as they all feature portraits of famous Belgians. Getting to know them is interesting, but don't feel you need to become an expert.
Our service promise is all about being fast, easy, and hassle-free. There is absolutely no need to sort coins or banknotes. Just send us your entire collection of leftover foreign currency, and we’ll handle all the identification and sorting for you. It's a 100% guaranteed process you can count on.
Key Identifiers for Belgian Franc Banknotes
The last series of Belgian francs, issued in the 1990s, is a beautiful tribute to the nation’s greatest artists and scientists. Each denomination has its own distinct colour and features a well-known Belgian figure, making them simple enough to tell apart.
Here’s a quick rundown of the most common notes you're likely to find:
- 100 Franc Note: This reddish-purple note features the painter James Ensor, who was known for his expressive and sometimes unsettling art.
- 200 Franc Note: Look for a yellowish-brown note with a portrait of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone—a nod to Belgium's musical heritage.
- 500 Franc Note: This one is a vibrant green and showcases René Magritte, the world-famous surrealist artist known for his witty, thought-provoking paintings.
- 1,000 Franc Note: A brownish-pink note that features Constant Permeke, a leading figure in the Belgian expressionism movement.
- 2,000 Franc Note: This purple banknote celebrates Victor Horta, the trailblazing Art Nouveau architect whose work defined much of Brussels.
- 10,000 Franc Note: The highest value note is greyish-blue and depicts King Albert II and Queen Paola, who were the reigning monarchs when it was issued.
While it's fun to know these details, our service is designed to make things as simple as possible. As a trusted partner to major UK brands—including airports, supermarkets, and even police forces—we’ve created a process that does all the work for you. Just send us your mixed currency, and we'll convert your foreign coins and banknotes into cash.
What About the Coins?
Although the banknotes from the final series can still be exchanged for cash, the same isn’t true for the coins. After Belgium switched to the euro, the old franc coins were demonetised, meaning they no longer have any exchange value. You can see more details about specific coins, like the 1 Belgian Franc coin featuring Albert II, on our website.
But just because they can't be exchanged doesn't make them worthless. Instead of letting them collect dust in a jar, you can donate foreign coins to charity through our service. We partner with many UK charities, turning forgotten shrapnel into much-needed funds for fantastic causes. It's a simple and powerful way to make sure nothing is wasted.
Whether you have a pile of unexchangeable coins or a mix of valuable banknotes, our promise is the same. Our fast, easy, and hassle-free service takes care of it all. You don’t need to be an expert—that’s our job.
What's Your Old Belgian Currency Really Worth?
So, you’ve found a stash of old Belgian currency. The big question is, what's it actually worth? It really comes down to one thing: is it a collector's treasure or just leftover holiday money? Figuring this out is the first step to getting the best value for your find.
For most people, old Belgian francs are worth their simple exchange value. But every now and then, a particular banknote can be a real prize for collectors. This "numismatic value" has nothing to do with the number printed on the note; it’s all about rarity, condition, and its place in history. A crisp, uncirculated note from a rare series will always catch a collector’s eye far more than a crumpled one from the final years before the euro.
This simple chart can help you see the difference between the old and new currencies you might have.
It’s an important distinction to make. While many banknotes can still be exchanged, most old coins no longer have an exchange value, making them better suited for charitable donations.
Collector's Item or Exchangeable Cash?
Deciding whether to track down a collector or use an exchange service can feel a bit overwhelming. It usually boils down to a choice between practicality and potential. You might get a higher price for a rare note from a specialist dealer, but that path can be slow and uncertain. You'd need to research your specific notes, find a reputable buyer, and haggle over a price.
For most people, especially if you have a mixed bag of notes and coins, the most practical option is a dedicated exchange service. Our process is designed to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free.
Our service is 100% guaranteed, giving you a secure and straightforward way to convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash. We’re trusted by major UK brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and police forces, who rely on our expertise.
Rarity and What Was Handed In
A banknote's rarity is often tied to how many were returned when the euro came in. The redemption rates for Belgian francs were all over the place. For example, of the 114 million 5,000 franc notes in circulation at the end of 2001, a massive 70.4% (or 80.3 million notes) were never handed in. Compare that to the 2,000 franc note, which saw a 98.6% redemption rate. You can dig into these figures and the history of the Belgian franc on Wikipedia.
That difference explains why some notes are much harder to find than others. But just because a note is rare doesn't automatically mean it's worth a fortune to a collector. For the average person with leftover foreign currency, the real value is in its direct exchange potential.
Ultimately, our service takes all the guesswork out of it. There’s no need to sort your coins or notes or try to figure out what's valuable. Just send us your whole collection, and we’ll handle the rest, making sure you get a fair and fast payment. It’s the easiest way to exchange foreign coins and notes, turning that forgotten currency into cash you can use. Ready to get started? Find out how much your currency is worth on our homepage.
How to Easily Exchange Your Old Belgium Currency
So, you’ve discovered the history behind your old Belgium currency. Now for the exciting part: turning those old coins and banknotes into cash you can actually spend.
We believe exchanging currency should be simple, which is why our service is designed to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. Our 100% guaranteed process takes all the work out of it for you, no matter how much currency you have.
Forget about spending hours trying to sort coins from notes or figuring out which ones are still valuable. We’ve designed our service around one simple instruction: pop it all in a box, send it to us, and we’ll handle the rest.
A Simple Three-Step Process
We've refined our entire system to make it as convenient as possible for you. It all comes down to three easy steps, so you can exchange foreign coins and notes with confidence and zero fuss.
Here’s how it works:
- Get an Instant Quote: The first stop is our free online currency calculator. Just tell it what currency you have—even if it's a mixed bag of coins and notes—and you'll get an immediate estimate of its value. It’s all about transparency from the get-go.
- Pack and Send Your Currency: Gather up all your currency and pack it securely in a box or padded envelope. There’s absolutely no need to sort your coins or separate them from the banknotes. Just send the package to us using your preferred postal service.
- Get Paid, Fast: As soon as your package arrives, our team gets to work sorting and counting everything. We’ll confirm the final amount with you and send your payment via bank transfer or PayPal, typically within just five working days.
It’s this straightforward approach that has earned the trust of major UK brands, including well-known charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. Their continued partnership speaks volumes about our reliability.
Our No-Risk Happiness Guarantee
Trust is everything when you're sending money through the post. That's why every single transaction is backed by our Happiness Guarantee. We want you to feel completely comfortable, knowing there’s no risk involved.
After we’ve professionally sorted and valued your currency, we'll send you a final offer. If you're not 100% satisfied with the valuation for any reason at all, we will return all of your currency to you, completely free of charge. No fuss, no questions asked.
This guarantee means you have absolutely nothing to lose. It lets you convert foreign coins and banknotes with total peace of mind, knowing you’ll either get a fair payment or have your currency returned at no cost to you. It's just one of the ways we make currency exchange as transparent and customer-friendly as possible.
Whether you've got a few leftover notes from an old holiday or a large collection of mixed foreign money, our service is the perfect hassle-free solution. Ready to see how easy it is? Visit our homepage to get started with your free quote today.
Turn Your Leftover Currency into a Donation
Have you ever wondered what to do with that jar of foreign coins and leftover notes sitting in a drawer? It might not seem like much, but those forgotten bits of currency can make a real difference. Instead of letting them gather dust, you can easily turn your old Belgian currency into a powerful donation for a cause you care about.
Many people come home with small amounts of foreign money, especially coins, that are almost impossible to exchange at a bank. Rather than letting this go to waste, you can donate foreign coins to charity. It’s a simple act, but when your donation is combined with others, that "useless shrapnel" turns into vital funding for organisations doing incredible work.
Giving Made Simple
We believe that doing good should be easy. That's why we’ve created a fast, easy, and hassle-free way for individuals, businesses, and even charities themselves to turn unwanted currency into a valuable donation. The process is exactly the same as our regular exchange service—the only difference is that the payment goes directly to a charity.
It’s a perfect way to handle currency collections gathered by:
- Charities: We help charities convert bags of mixed foreign currency from their fundraising drives into spendable sterling.
- Airports and Airlines: Collection boxes in terminals and on-board appeals raise a huge amount of holiday money. We process these large, mixed collections efficiently.
- Retailers and Businesses: Many shops have collection tins where customers can drop their spare foreign change. We help turn that into a meaningful corporate donation.
Our service is 100% guaranteed, so you can be confident the full value is calculated and sent to the chosen charity. And the best part? There’s absolutely no need to sort coins or separate currencies. Just send us the whole lot, and our experts will take care of everything.
We are proud to be a trusted partner for major UK organisations, including well-known charities, airports, and police forces who rely on us to manage their currency collections. Their confidence reinforces our credibility and commitment to making every donation count.
The Real-World Impact of Your Donation
It’s easy to look at a few old Belgian francs or a handful of mixed coins and think they’re not worth much. But when added to thousands of similar donations, this forgotten money becomes a steady and crucial source of income for charities. It helps them plan projects, respond to emergencies, and keep their essential services running.
When you choose to donate foreign coins and notes, you’re joining a collective effort that has a real-world impact. Our job is to be the secure, reliable bridge that turns your unwanted currency into meaningful change. We handle the tricky parts of currency exchange so that you and your chosen charity can focus on what really matters: making a difference.
To find out more about how our service works or to start turning your currency into cash or a donation, please visit our homepage.
Common Questions About Exchanging Belgian Currency
We get it. You've found some old Belgian francs and you're not sure what to do with them. To help you out, we’ve put together answers to the most common questions we hear. It all comes back to our promise of a fast, easy, and completely secure service.
Can I Still Exchange Old Belgian Francs For Pounds?
Absolutely! While you can no longer spend Belgium old currency in shops, many of the old banknotes still hold their value and are exchangeable for cash. Our service is designed to make it incredibly simple to convert foreign coins and banknotes, including Belgian francs, directly into pounds sterling.
We take care of the entire process for you. You get a quick, transparent, and 100% guaranteed payment straight into your UK bank account or PayPal. It’s genuinely the most hassle-free way to turn forgotten foreign money into cash you can actually use.
Do I Have To Sort My Coins And Notes Before Sending?
Not at all. One of the best things about our service is that there's no need to sort coins or notes. We know that sifting through a jumble of leftover currency from different trips can be a real headache, so we’ve designed our process to remove that step completely.
Just gather all your foreign money, pop it in a package, and send it our way. Our team of experts will handle all the sorting and valuation, saving you a huge amount of time and effort. It's why major UK brands, including airports and charities, trust us to process their large, unsorted currency collections.
What If I Am Not Happy With The Exchange Amount?
Your satisfaction is our top priority, which is why our service is backed by a 100% happiness guarantee. After our team has carefully sorted and valued your currency, we'll get in touch to confirm the final exchange amount.
If you're not completely happy with the valuation for any reason, just let us know. We will return all of your currency to you at no cost. This no-risk promise gives you total peace of mind when you exchange foreign coins and notes with us.
How Quickly Will I Receive My Money?
We pride ourselves on being fast and professional. As soon as your currency arrives with us, our team gets straight to work. We issue your payment within just five working days of processing your package.
You can choose to receive your funds via a direct bank transfer or through PayPal, making sure you get your money quickly and securely. It really is the easiest way to deal with your leftover foreign currency.
Ready to turn your old currency into cash? At We Buy All Currency, our fast, easy, and hassle-free service is 100% guaranteed. Get an instant quote and see how simple it is on our homepage.