A Simple Guide to Foreign Currency Exchange Comparison
Posted by: Ian • 8 Aug 2025
Got a jar of leftover holiday money sitting on a shelf? If you're like most of us, you've come back from a trip abroad with a wallet full of foreign currency. While the banknotes might get used on the next trip, that clunky collection of coins often ends up forgotten in a drawer, gathering dust. The good news is that this leftover money doesn't have to go to waste. This guide offers practical tips and helpful advice on how to get the most value from it.
Finding the Best Way to Exchange Your Leftover Currency
Finding a place to exchange foreign coins and notes can feel like a mission in itself. Your local bank or the airport kiosk might seem like the obvious choice, but they often turn away coins and won't touch any currency that's become obsolete. This leaves you feeling like you have very few options.
That’s where a specialist online service like ours comes in. We offer a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to get real value from that mixed bag of currency, including leftover foreign currency from your travels.
A Fast, Easy, and Guaranteed Solution
We provide a quick, hassle-free way to convert your foreign coins and banknotes into cash. Our entire process is built around making it easy for you. Forget the tedious task of sorting through mixed coins and notes from different countries – just send the whole lot to us, and we'll handle the rest. There is absolutely no need to sort coins.
Our service is 100% guaranteed. We believe in being completely transparent, so we provide clear rates upfront. You'll know exactly what to expect, with no hidden fees or surprise charges.
It’s this simple and trustworthy approach that has made us the go-to partner for some of the UK’s most respected organisations. We are trusted by major brands, a testament to our credibility and reliability.
- Major Charities: We help leading charities turn their foreign coin donations into vital funds they can use for their incredible work.
- Supermarkets and Airports: We're the reliable service behind the scenes, handling currency collected at major retail and travel hubs.
- Police Forces: We're trusted by police forces to manage currency with the security and professionalism they require.
So, whether you've got a handful of euro coins from a city break or a box full of old, withdrawn banknotes you thought were worthless, our service is designed to find value where others can't. You can even choose to donate foreign coins to charity directly through our platform.
For a straightforward and credible way to finally sort out that leftover currency, start your exchange on our homepage today.
How the UK Foreign Exchange Market Affects Your Wallet
When you’re looking to convert foreign coins and banknotes, it’s easy to think it’s just a simple transaction. But the actual value you get for that jar of leftover holiday money is directly connected to the massive, constantly shifting world of the foreign exchange (FX) market.
A little real-world insight into how this market works can make a world of difference in understanding why rates change so often and what a good deal really looks like.
At its heart, the FX market is a global marketplace where currencies are traded against one another, and London is one of its biggest players. The UK’s foreign exchange market is incredibly busy. To give you an idea, a recent report showed that in April 2025, the average daily turnover rocketed to a record $4.045 trillion. This massive jump was driven by global trade and market activity, as you can discover more about on the Bank of England's website.
This incredible volume of currency being bought and sold every second is what directly influences the exchange rates you’re offered.
Understanding Key Market Concepts
The exchange rates you see quoted are generally based on two main types of trades happening in this enormous market.
- Spot FX: This is the here-and-now exchange of one currency for another at the current market rate. If you check a "live" exchange rate online, you’re looking at the spot price. This part of the market is extremely fast-paced, recently growing by 42% to $1.293 trillion traded daily, which shows just how quickly rates can move.
- FX Swaps: These are slightly more complex. It's an agreement where two parties trade currencies for a fixed amount of time and then agree to swap them back later. FX swaps are the most traded instrument in the market, accounting for a staggering $1.563 trillion in daily volume.
These high-level financial trades are what set the rates that ultimately decide how many pounds your leftover euros, dollars, or yen are worth. A tiny shift in the market, sparked by economic news or a global event, can directly change the value of the currency sitting in your drawer.
Why This Matters for Your Exchange
This might all sound a bit distant when all you have is a handful of mixed coins, but it's the reason why finding the right exchange service is so important. When you use a company to exchange foreign coins and notes, that provider has to work within this complex and volatile market to offer you a rate.
Because the market is always moving, the rates offered by different exchange services can vary quite a bit. Some might update their rates constantly, while others might play it safe and offer less competitive figures to shield themselves from sudden market swings.
This is a critical part of any foreign currency exchange comparison. It’s not just about the fees, but about how closely and fairly a provider reflects the true market value of your currency.
Comparing Your Currency Exchange Options
So, you've got some leftover foreign currency from a trip. The question is, what's the best way to change it back? A proper foreign currency exchange comparison goes deeper than just the advertised rate. You need to think about convenience, hidden fees, and whether a place will even take the money you have.
Let's break down the usual suspects to see how they really compare. Your first thought might be the most obvious places, but as you'll see, they're often not the most practical or valuable choices. Each one has its place, but knowing their limits is the key to not getting short-changed.
High Street Banks and Post Offices
For most people, popping into the local high street bank or Post Office seems like the logical first step. They’re convenient, sure, especially if you just have some common banknotes like euros or US dollars. But that’s where the convenience often ends.
The biggest issue? They almost always refuse to exchange foreign coins. Their entire setup is geared towards paper money, leaving you stuck with that heavy jar of shrapnel. And if you're holding onto old, out-of-circulation currency – think pre-euro Spanish pesetas or French francs – you'll find they simply can't help.
The real problem with these traditional options is their rigidity. They are built for simple, high-volume banknote exchanges, not for the messy, mixed-up reality of leftover holiday money.
Airport Currency Kiosks
We've all seen them. Airport kiosks offer that last-minute convenience when you're rushing for a flight, but you pay a hefty price for it. The exchange rates are notoriously poor, and the fees can be far higher than you'd find anywhere else. Just like the banks, they have no interest in your leftover coins or any outdated currency you might have.
This infographic sheds some light on the economic forces, like interest and inflation rates, that shape the baseline exchange rates providers work from.
It shows how a country's economic health and government policies directly affect its currency's value, which ultimately determines the rate you're offered at the counter.
A Specialist Online Service: The Hassle-Free Alternative
This is where a specialist online service like ours completely changes the game. We founded We Buy All Currency to solve the very problems that banks and airport kiosks create. Our process is designed to be fast, simple, and capable of handling all the bits and pieces that others turn away.
We are the only service that lets you send all your leftover foreign currency in one package, with no need to sort coins first. We accept:
- Mixed foreign coins from any country
- Current and old foreign banknotes
- Obsolete and withdrawn currency
This all-in-one approach makes us the most practical choice for anyone wanting to finally clear out that drawer of mixed-up money. Our service is trusted by major UK brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, because we deliver a secure and dependable solution. It's a 100% guaranteed process you can rely on. For a closer look at our method, you can learn more about how to exchange foreign currency with us.
Currency Exchange Service Feature Comparison
To help you see the differences at a glance, we've put together a simple table comparing the key features of each option.
| Service Provider | Accepts Foreign Coins | Accepts Old/Obsolete Notes | Average Fees | Convenience Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist Online Service | Yes (unsorted) | Yes | Transparent, competitive rates | High (mail-in from home) | Mixed coins & old notes |
| High Street Bank | No | No | Moderate fees, fair rates | Medium (in-person visit) | Common, current banknotes |
| Post Office | No | No | Moderate fees, fair rates | Medium (in-person visit) | Common, current banknotes |
| Airport Kiosk | No | No | High fees, poor rates | High (for travellers only) | Last-minute emergencies |
Ultimately, the best choice boils down to what you have. If you just have a few crisp, common banknotes, your bank might do the trick. But for the very common problem of a mixed bag of coins and old notes, our specialist service offers the only genuinely comprehensive and hassle-free solution.
Which Exchange Service Is Right for You
When it comes to getting rid of leftover travel money, making a smart foreign currency exchange comparison really comes down to what you have in your hands. There’s no single "best" service for everyone; it’s about finding the perfect match for the specific currency you’re holding.
To see what I mean, let’s walk through a few real-world situations. You'll quickly see why a specialist approach often gives you the most value with the least fuss, especially when you're dealing with money that most places turn away.
Scenario 1: Mixed Coins and Notes from a Family Holiday
This is probably the most common headache. You’ve just come back from a trip to Spain or France with a few euro banknotes and a pocketful of heavy coins. High street banks and the Post Office will gladly take the notes, but they’ll flat-out refuse to exchange foreign coins. You’re left with only half the job done.
Here, a specialist online service is the clear winner. We offer a fast, simple solution where you don’t even need to sort anything. Just send us the whole lot—notes and coins together—and we take care of it. Our process is 100% guaranteed, so you know you're getting value from every last cent.
Scenario 2: Discovering Old, Obsolete Currency
Picture this: you're clearing out a relative’s attic and stumble upon a stash of old Spanish pesetas, German deutschmarks, or even some old British shillings. These currencies aren't in circulation anymore. No bank, Post Office, or airport kiosk will touch them. To them, it's just worthless paper and metal.
This is where our service really shines. We specialise in exchanging obsolete and withdrawn currency from all over the world. What others see as scrap, we see as value just waiting to be unlocked.
We have the know-how to assess and convert foreign coins and banknotes that have been out of use for years. This unique service means you can turn a forgotten find into actual cash—something you just won't find on the high street. It's why we're trusted by major charities who often receive this kind of currency in donations.
Scenario 3: Donating Currency to a Good Cause
Maybe you have a small collection of leftover foreign currency and want to put it towards a cause you believe in. The problem is, taking small bags of mixed currency to a local charity shop is often more trouble than it's worth for them to process.
Our service provides a direct way to donate foreign coins to charity. Because we already work with major UK charities, you can send your currency straight to us, and we'll direct the full value to one of our partners. It’s a secure and efficient way to ensure your donation actually makes a difference, which is why we’re trusted by police forces and major supermarkets to handle currency responsibly.
For any of these scenarios, especially when you're dealing with mixed or old currency, our simple mail-in process is the most sensible choice. You can find out more and begin your currency exchange on our website.
Unlocking the Value in Old and Foreign Coins
That jar of foreign coins or those old banknotes you have tucked away in a drawer often feel more like clutter than cash. It’s a common story: you try to exchange them at a bank or Post Office, only to be told they can't help. This leads many to assume they're worthless, causing millions in potential cash to be lost every single year.
But here’s the truth: there's real, hidden value in what most places consider ‘unusable’ currency. The main reason traditional exchange providers turn away foreign coins or old, obsolete banknotes is simply down to their operations. Their systems are built for quick, easy deals with current paper money, which makes sorting and valuing a mixed bag of coins far too time-consuming and costly for them.
This is exactly where we come in. Our entire service is built around making it fast, easy, and completely hassle-free to convert foreign coins and banknotes of all kinds, from anywhere in the world.
Turning Clutter into Cash or Charity
We designed our service to be effortlessly simple for you. There’s absolutely no need to sort your coins or separate different currencies. You can pack it all up—from modern euro cents to pre-euro German deutschmarks—into a single parcel and send it off to us. It’s a straightforward way to turn a forgotten collection into real money.
What really sets us apart is our commitment to finding value where others won't even look. We are one of the very few places that will happily assess and pay for both withdrawn currency and mixed foreign shrapnel, backed by a 100% guaranteed service.
This also creates a powerful way to do some good. You can easily choose to donate foreign coins to charity through our platform. We have established, trusted partnerships with major UK charities that rely on us to turn these small, otherwise unusable donations into significant funds for their work. It's a responsibility we take very seriously, which is why we’re also trusted by police forces and major supermarkets. To see how you can unlock this potential, have a look at our guide on the value of your leftover foreign coins.
The value of these currencies is also tied to the bigger economic picture. For instance, UK trade figures constantly affect currency values. In the three months to May 2025, a trade deficit of £13.2 billion and different export trends between EU and non-EU countries sent ripples through the FX market, directly impacting GBP exchange rates. You can explore more about these UK trade dynamics on the ONS website. It just goes to show how even the smallest coins are part of a much larger global financial story.
Why Trust and Guarantees Are Non-Negotiable
When you’re looking to exchange foreign currency, it’s about so much more than just the rate. It’s about trust. After all, you’re sending your money away and need to be completely confident that you won’t be hit with surprise fees, lost funds, or a poor valuation. That’s why credibility and solid guarantees should be right at the top of your list.
A company’s reputation speaks volumes. We’re proud to be the trusted currency exchange partner for some of the UK’s most respected organisations, including major supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. These institutions don't take risks; they only partner with businesses that meet the highest standards of security and transparency, which is a testament to our reliability.
Our 100% guarantee is the bedrock of our service. It means the entire process is completely risk-free for you. From the moment you send your currency to the second you receive your payment, we promise a fast, easy, and hassle-free experience with absolutely no hidden charges.
What Our Commitment to Trust Means for You
This focus on trust gives you real, practical benefits when you want to exchange foreign coins and notes. It means you can send us your leftover holiday money—even that messy bag of mixed coins—without a second thought. You don’t even need to sort it.
- Total Transparency: The rates you see are exactly the rates you get. No last-minute deductions or sneaky administrative fees.
- Security Assured: We’re trusted to handle currency for police forces and national charities, which shows just how secure and professional our process is.
- No Risk, All Reward: If you’re not completely happy with our valuation for any reason, we’ll return your currency to you, free of charge. No questions asked.
This level of assurance is particularly important when you need to convert foreign coins and banknotes that other services simply won't touch, like obsolete currency or mixed shrapnel. It also offers complete peace of mind if you decide to donate foreign coins to charity through our platform, knowing your contribution is being handled by a reputable partner.
Ready to try a service built on trust and guaranteed satisfaction? Start your secure exchange on our homepage today.
Your Currency Exchange Questions Answered
When you're trying to figure out what to do with leftover holiday money, a few questions always pop up. It can feel confusing, especially when you're dealing with a mix of old notes and a mountain of foreign coins. Here are some straightforward answers and practical tips to help you out.
What's the Easiest Way to Exchange Foreign Coins from Home?
Honestly, the simplest way is to use a specialised mail-in service like ours. Forget trying the high street banks or those airport kiosks—they almost never take coins. Our entire process is built to be completely painless.
You just gather up all your leftover currency, both coins and notes, put them in a package together (no need to sort coins!), and send it off to us. It’s a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed method to finally cash in on that heavy jar of shrapnel you've been collecting.
Can I Exchange Money That's No Longer in Circulation?
Yes, absolutely. This is something most places on the high street will turn you away for, but it’s an area we specialise in. We regularly convert foreign coins and banknotes that are officially out of circulation, from old pre-euro money like French Francs or German Marks to old British sterling.
It’s one of the main real-world insights we can offer: don't throw away old currency. It’s a key reason we’re the trusted partner for major UK charities, who often receive these kinds of currencies in their donation buckets.
We’re one of the very few services that will give you a fair, transparent valuation for your withdrawn currency. We turn what most people think is worthless back into real money.
How Can I Be Sure I’m Getting a Fair Price?
We believe in being completely upfront. All our exchange rates are published clearly on our website, so you can see exactly what you’ll get before you even decide to send us anything.
Our reputation is built on trust, which is why we’re the go-to service for big names like UK supermarkets, airports, and even police forces for handling found currency. Our 100% guarantee is there to give you peace of mind that the process is risk-free and reliable, every single time.
Ready for a fast, hassle-free, and guaranteed way to exchange all your leftover currency? For a trusted and easy way to convert foreign coins and banknotes, including old or obsolete money, visit our homepage now. We make the whole process simple, with no need to sort your coins. start your exchange today.