How to Change Foreign Coins Fast and Get 100% Guaranteed Value
Posted by: Ian • 18 Oct 2025
That jar of old holiday money sitting on your shelf is more than just a souvenir—it’s hidden cash waiting to be unlocked. You can change foreign coins and notes quickly and easily with our specialised service, turning leftover currency from past trips into usable money. Our process is fast, easy, hassle-free, and 100% guaranteed, with no need to sort your coins.
Unlock the Value in Your Leftover Currency
We’ve all been there. You get home from a trip with a pocketful of foreign coins and maybe a few stray banknotes, not quite sure what to do with them. Your high-street bank or local bureau de change will likely turn you away, especially when it comes to coins, leaving you with currency that feels practically worthless.
This is exactly where our dedicated currency exchange service changes the game. We offer a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to convert all that leftover foreign money—including old or obsolete currency—into pounds you can actually spend.
The whole process is designed to be as simple as possible. Forget spending hours sorting through different currencies or painstakingly separating every last coin from the notes. Just gather it all up—whether it's Euros, US Dollars, old Spanish Pesetas, or even obsolete French Francs—and send it to us in one go.
Why Our Service Is Trusted and Reliable
When you’re sending money, you need to know it’s in safe hands. We’re proud to be the trusted partner for a huge range of major UK organisations who count on our efficiency and transparency every single day. Our credibility is backed by our work with leading brands.
Our partners include:
- Major Supermarkets who use us for their in-store currency collection points.
- National Charities that rely on us to turn small foreign donations into significant funds.
- UK Airports for managing currency collections from countless travellers.
- Police Forces who need a reliable way to handle seized or found foreign currency.
This trust is built on a rock-solid foundation: a 100% guaranteed service that ensures you receive the exact value you’re quoted. From the moment your currency is in the post, you can feel confident that you’re working with a reputable and professional team. Our entire goal is to make the experience to exchange foreign coins and notes as straightforward as it can be.
To give you a clearer picture, here’s a quick look at the key benefits you get when you change foreign coins and notes with us.
| Why This Foreign Coin Exchange Service Works |
| — | — |
| Feature | What This Means for You |
| No Sorting Required | Save time and effort. Just send all your currencies—coins and notes, current or obsolete—all mixed together. |
| Trusted by Major Organisations | Feel secure knowing you're using the same reliable service as national charities, airports, and police forces. |
| 100% Service Guarantee | The value you're quoted is the value you get. No hidden fees or surprise deductions. |
| Fast and Simple Process | The experience is designed for complete convenience, from sending your currency to receiving your payment. |
| All Currencies Accepted | We take everything from common currencies like Euros and Dollars to old, obsolete money you thought was worthless. |
In short, we take the hassle out of a process that is often frustrating and time-consuming, giving you a simple path to unlock the hidden value in your currency.
The real beauty of this process is its simplicity. You don’t need to be a currency expert or spend any time sorting. It’s a straightforward solution for anyone looking to finally cash in on that forgotten travel money or even donate foreign coins to charity.
Whether you have a small handful of coins from a recent city break or a large collection of old and obsolete currency you’ve inherited, there’s real value waiting to be found. To see just how easy it is, you can read our guide on unlocking the value of your leftover foreign coins. It’ll walk you through every step of turning that clutter into cash or a meaningful donation.
What to Do with Old and Foreign Money
Got a jar of jumbled-up foreign coins on the shelf? Or perhaps a few old banknotes tucked away in a drawer? They’re more than just clutter; they’re little pockets of unlocked cash waiting to be claimed. Practical advice on how to exchange foreign coins can turn that forgotten stash into real money.
You’d be amazed at what you can actually exchange. It’s not just about common holiday money like Euros and US Dollars. We’re talking about old, obsolete currency from decades ago. There’s a common myth that once money goes out of circulation, it becomes worthless, but that’s often not the case.
Many people have tried taking their leftover coins to a local bank or a high-street bureau de change, only to be told they can't help. These places usually turn away coins because sorting, counting, and sending them back to their home countries is a complex and costly headache for such small amounts. Their systems are built for handling current banknotes, not the vast world of global coinage and old money.
That’s where a specialist service like ours comes in. We’re set up to handle exactly what others won’t, giving you a dead-simple way to convert foreign coins and banknotes into pounds. The best part? You don’t even need to sort through it. Just send it all to us.
The Hidden Value in Obsolete Currency
The real surprise for most people is the value hiding in what looks like a pile of useless shrapnel. Your collection might hold currencies you’ve completely forgotten about, or maybe something inherited from a relative, like old pre-Euro money—think German Deutsche Marks, Spanish Pesetas, or Italian Lira. You can’t spend them in shops anymore, but they often still have exchangeable value.
Even old British money has potential. The UK’s switch to decimal currency back in 1971 was a massive shake-up. Before then, we had a wonderfully confusing mix of pounds, shillings, and pence, with coins like the florin, crown, and shilling. These were all phased out for the simpler system we know today, but that doesn’t mean they lost all their worth. You can dive into this fascinating shift by exploring the complete history of the British pound coin.
It's a story we hear all the time: a grandparent leaves behind a tin of old coins that sits in a cupboard for years. People often assume it’s just memorabilia, but those pre-decimal coins and withdrawn notes can add up to a tidy sum when exchanged through the right service.
From Souvenirs to Cash
Whether it's a handful of coins from last year's holiday or a collection passed down through generations, it's time to see what it's really worth. Here’s a quick look at what you might have gathering dust:
- Leftover Holiday Coins: Euros, US Dollars, and other common currencies are easy to exchange.
- Obsolete European Currency: Pre-Euro notes and coins like French Francs or Dutch Guilders.
- Old British Money: Those old round pound coins and even pre-decimal currency.
- Other Withdrawn Global Currencies: Money from all over the world that's no longer in circulation.
Our service is trusted by major UK brands—including charities, airports, and even police forces—because we make the process painless and 100% guaranteed. You can finally clear out that drawer of forgotten money and turn it into something genuinely useful.
Your Guide to Exchanging Coins and Banknotes
So, you're ready to turn that jumble of leftover foreign currency into real cash? Good news – the whole process is far simpler than most people think. We’ve designed our service to be completely hassle-free, getting you from a cluttered drawer to cash in your bank in just a few straightforward stages.
The entire experience is built around one core idea: making it easy for you. That means there's absolutely no need to sort anything. Got a mix of coins, banknotes, old pre-Euro money, or even obsolete British pounds? Just chuck it all in together. This one simple step saves a huge amount of time and gets rid of the biggest headache that stops most people from bothering to exchange their old currency.
To give you a better idea, here's a quick look at how smooth the journey is.
As you can see, from finding your currency to shipping it off, the focus is on simplicity. We accept over 200 currencies without any pre-sorting needed from you.
How to Prepare Your Currency for Exchange
Once you’ve gathered all your leftover foreign currency, the next job is to pack it up securely. This is a crucial step, but it’s very easy to get right with a few practical tips. Proper packaging ensures your coins and notes arrive safely, ready for us to work our magic.
Here are a few pointers from our experience for getting it packed securely:
- Use a Sturdy Box: A strong cardboard box is always better than an envelope. Heavy coins can easily tear through paper during transit, so a box gives you that essential protection.
- Add Some Padding: Fill any empty space in the box with crumpled newspaper, bubble wrap, or even old fabric. This stops the coins from rattling around, which reduces the risk of the box bursting open.
- Seal It Up Tight: Grab some strong packing tape and seal all the seams of your box. Make sure it's completely sealed to prevent any currency from spilling out on its journey.
A common mistake we see is people using standard letter envelopes. A small collection of coins can weigh more than you’d expect, and the sharp edges can quickly work their way through the paper. Taking a moment to find a small box makes all the difference.
Sending Your Currency and Getting Paid
With your currency all packaged up, the final part is sending it to us. You can post it using whatever courier service you prefer. As soon as we receive your package, our team gets straight to work. Our process is 100% guaranteed, which means the value you’re quoted is exactly what you’ll receive. No hidden fees, no last-minute changes.
We handle the entire sorting and counting process using specialised equipment. It's why we can confidently accept mixed bags of unsorted coins and notes, and this efficiency is how we keep the service so fast and easy for you.
Within five working days of us receiving your currency, your payment will be on its way. You can choose to receive your money via a direct bank transfer or PayPal—whichever you find most convenient. It really is that simple.
You can also choose to donate foreign coins to charity through our service. If you select this option, the full value of your currency will be sent directly to one of our partnered UK charities. It’s a fantastic way to ensure your leftover holiday money makes a real difference.
The entire system is trusted by major UK brands, including airports, police forces, and leading supermarkets, because it’s reliable, transparent, and secure from start to finish.
Getting The Best Value For Your Obsolete Currency
Turning that forgotten stash of old money into cash isn't just about clearing out a drawer; it's about making sure you get the best possible value for it. Understanding what your old coins and banknotes are truly worth is the first step, and our process is designed to be totally transparent, giving you the maximum return without any fuss.
You might be used to the tourist rates you see at airports, but our exchange values work differently. They’re based on the real-world costs of sorting, processing, and repatriating huge volumes of currency. Because we’re a trusted partner for major UK brands—think supermarkets, charities, and even police forces—we handle so much currency that we can lock in highly competitive rates. We pass those savings directly on to you.
Our service is also 100% guaranteed. The quote you see is the amount you get paid. Simple as that. This takes all the guesswork out of the equation, so you can confidently convert foreign coins and banknotes without worrying about hidden fees.
Uncovering The Worth Of Old British Money
It surprises a lot of people to learn that their old or obsolete currency still holds value. A perfect example is the old round £1 coin, which was a fixture in British life for over three decades.
It first appeared in 1983, replacing the short-lived £1 note, and its nickel-brass design quickly became a familiar sight. By March 2016, there were an estimated 1,671 million of them rattling around in circulation. But after the more secure 12-sided version was introduced in 2017, banks and shops stopped taking the old round pound.
But just because you can't spend them anymore doesn't mean they became worthless overnight. With a specialist service like ours, their value can still be redeemed. And this applies to a huge range of other withdrawn currencies, too.
Exchanging Pre-Euro And Other Obsolete Currencies
This isn't just about British money, either. If you’ve found old pre-Euro currency—like German Deutsche Marks, French Francs, or Italian Lira—they can also be exchanged. These notes and coins often turn up in inherited collections and are mistakenly dismissed as nothing more than souvenirs.
Our process is refreshingly simple: no sorting required. You can just send it all to us, and we’ll change foreign coins and notes, no matter their age or origin. To get a better handle on how currency exchange works, understanding broader finance considerations can offer some useful insights.
We handle everything from common holiday money to rare, obsolete currency, providing a complete solution. For a detailed look at how different currencies compare, check out our foreign currency exchange comparison to see what your collection could be worth.
Donate Your Foreign Coins to Charity
Sometimes, the best thing to do with your leftover currency is to change someone’s life. If you’d rather see that old holiday money make a real difference, our charity donation service is a simple and powerful alternative to a standard exchange. It’s a fast, easy, and incredibly meaningful way to support vital causes right here in the UK.
The process couldn't be simpler—in fact, it's exactly the same as our regular exchange service. You don't even need to sort anything. Just pop all your foreign coins and notes into a package and send them our way. We handle the rest, converting the full value and sending it directly to one of our respected charity partners.
How Your Small Change Creates a Big Impact
It’s easy to dismiss a handful of foreign coins as insignificant, but when thousands of people do the same, those small amounts add up to a powerful force for good. We partner with some of the UK's most recognised charities, who count on these funds to deliver their essential services.
Your donation could help:
- Fund critical medical research for a leading health charity.
- Provide warm meals and shelter for those in need through a humanitarian organisation.
- Support vital conservation efforts to protect our precious wildlife and natural spaces.
This is why major organisations, including airports, supermarkets, and even police forces, trust us to manage their currency collections. They know our 100% guaranteed process ensures every last penny reaches the cause it was intended for.
By choosing to donate foreign coins to charity, you’re not just clearing out a drawer. You’re turning forgotten holiday shrapnel into life-changing support for communities that need it most.
A Feel-Good Way to Handle Leftover Currency
Donating your currency is a simple, feel-good solution for that jar of leftover money. You can find out more about how to donate foreign coins to charity and see the incredible work our partners are doing. It's a wonderful way to give your travels a lasting, positive legacy.
For charities looking for ways to acknowledge their supporters, this Donor Wall Guide offers great insights into showing appreciation for every contribution, big or small. Your donation is more than just money; it's a statement of support that helps make a real difference.
Why You Can Trust Us With Your Leftover Currency
When it comes to sending your money off to be exchanged, trust is everything. We get it. Whether you've got a small handful of coins from a recent holiday or a large collection of old, obsolete banknotes, you need to feel 100% confident in the service you're using.
That’s why we’ve built our entire process to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. From the moment you send your currency to the moment you get paid, we guarantee a smooth and secure experience.
The Go-To Choice for Major UK Brands
Our reputation isn't just something we talk about; it's proven by our long-standing partnerships with some of the biggest and most respected organisations in the UK. When you send your currency to us, you're using the very same trusted system relied upon by household names.
So, why do leading supermarkets, national charities, busy airports, and even UK police forces choose us to handle their foreign currency? It really boils down to two things: reliability and transparency. These organisations need a service that’s not just efficient but completely dependable.
- Supermarkets and Airports count on us to process the foreign currency they collect from thousands of travellers every single day.
- National Charities rely on our service to turn donated foreign coins into vital funding for their causes. We help make every penny count.
- Police Forces use us for a secure and fully accountable way to manage seized or found foreign currency.
We've earned this trust by delivering a consistently high-quality service, year after year. There’s no need for you to sort through your coins or notes either—just send everything together, and we'll take care of the rest.
Our 100% guarantee means the value we quote is the value you get. No hidden fees, no surprise deductions. Just a straightforward way to convert your foreign coins and banknotes into cash.
Don’t let that jar of leftover currency sit on a shelf gathering dust. Whether you want to pocket the cash for yourself or make a valuable donation to a good cause, the first step is easy. It’s time to unlock the hidden value in your old foreign money.
Ready to convert your leftover currency? Visit We Buy All Currency today to start our fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed exchange process. Start your exchange now.