A Guide to Exchanging Former French Coins for Cash
Posted by: Ian • 27 Nov 2025
So, you've stumbled upon a forgotten stash of old French francs and centimes. The big question is, are they still worth anything?
The short answer is a definite yes. While you can't spend them in a Parisian café anymore, your former French coins can still be turned back into cash. Our service is designed to make that process fast, easy, and completely hassle-free.
What to Do with Your Old French Francs
Found an old jam jar full of francs or a bag of mixed foreign coins from holidays gone by? Before you write it off as clutter, you should know that leftover foreign currency still holds real value. Exchanging foreign money isn't a new concept, of course. Back in the 1820s, the exchange rate was surprisingly steady at 25 francs and 50 centimes to one pound sterling—a stability that helped international trade flow smoothly. You can read more about this long history on shannonselin.com.
Today, things have changed, but that old money doesn’t have to go to waste.
Our mission is to give you a straightforward way to convert foreign coins and notes back into usable cash. We offer a 100% guaranteed service that cuts out all the usual headaches that come with currency exchange.
There's no need to spend hours sorting, identifying, or even cleaning your coins. Just gather up all your leftover currency—French francs included—and send it to us. We’ll take care of everything for you.
This simple, no-fuss approach is why we’re trusted by some of the UK's biggest names, including major brands like charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. They rely on us to efficiently sort through huge volumes of mixed currency, turning forgotten coins into vital funds.
Whether you have a few centimes or a whole collection of obsolete banknotes, our process is built for your convenience. We’ll give you a clear, upfront valuation and make sure you get paid promptly. The rest of this guide will walk you through how to identify your coins and figure out what they might be worth, but the most important thing to remember is this: your old money is not worthless. Let us help you unlock its value today.
Identifying Your Former French Coins
Got a handful of old French coins? The first step is figuring out what you’ve actually got. Think of it like a bit of detective work – by looking at the dates, symbols, and designs, you can start to piece together their story. It’s the best way to separate common holiday leftovers from something a little more interesting.
French currency has a long and winding history, well before the Euro ever came on the scene. If you’ve got some really old pieces, you might even have pre-Revolutionary coins like the Livre or the Sou. But for most people, the story starts with the decimal Franc, introduced way back in 1795. This was a huge step, creating a modern system that ended up influencing currencies all over Europe.
A major milestone came in 1803 with the Napoleonic code, which set a fixed value for both gold and silver. This created an incredibly stable exchange rate that held strong for over seventy years, shaping money policies far beyond France's borders.
Key Eras to Look For
Another massive shift happened much more recently. In 1960, the currency was revalued with the introduction of the ‘Nouveau Franc’ (New Franc). In a nutshell, 100 old francs became 1 new franc. This is a really important detail when you want to exchange foreign coins, as coins from before and after this date look quite different and have completely different denominations.
If you have a jumble of different European money, our guide on the former currencies of Europe can help you make sense of it all.
The timeline below gives you a quick visual on how French currency changed over the years leading up to the Euro.
As you can see, the French franc was around for a very long time before its final farewell. This long and stable history is why it’s one of the most common types of leftover foreign currency we see here in the UK. Knowing these key dates helps put the coins you've found into context.
To give you a clearer picture, here’s a simple table breaking down the main periods you're likely to come across.
Key Eras of French Coinage Before the Euro
| Era | Key Currency | Common Denominations | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Francs (1795–1959) | Old Franc | 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes | Often features classic designs like Marianne or the Gallic Rooster. |
| 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 francs | Metal content varied, with silver and gold used in higher denominations. | ||
| New Franc Era (1960–2001) | Nouveau Franc (NF) | 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes | Modern designs. The 'NF' mark appeared initially to signify the new currency. |
| ½, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 francs | The ½ franc coin is a common one from this period. | ||
| Final Years (1980s–2001) | Franc | 10, 20 francs (bimetallic) | Introduction of bimetallic coins (e.g., a gold-coloured centre, silver outer). |
| Commemorative Issues | Many special edition coins were minted for events and anniversaries. |
This table isn’t exhaustive, but it should give you a good starting point for sorting through what you have.
What to Check on Your Coins
Ready to take a closer look? Grab a coin and see if you can spot these features:
- Date: This is your number one clue. The year it was minted tells you exactly which era it’s from.
- Denomination: Does it say centimes, francs, or nouveau francs? A coin marked ‘5 NF’ is very different from one just marked ‘5 francs’ from an earlier time.
- Symbols: Keep an eye out for iconic French imagery. You'll often see Marianne (the symbol of the Republic), the Gallic rooster, or the famous motto "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité."
- Mint Marks: Look for a tiny letter on the coin. This tells you which city’s mint produced it – for example, an 'A' means it came from Paris.
But here's the great news: you don't need to be an expert. Our whole service is built to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. There's no need for you to sort or identify a single thing; just send us your collection of mixed coins and notes, and we'll handle the rest.
We’re trusted by major brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, to manage this process for them. We make it simple to convert foreign coins and notes, ensuring you get value from every last centime without any of the hard work.
Understanding What Your Old Francs Are Worth
Once you've got a handle on what coins you're holding, the next logical question is, what are they actually worth? The value of former French coins can swing wildly, but here's the good news: every single one has some monetary value. For the vast majority of leftover holiday cash, this is simply its exchange rate value, which we can happily turn into pounds for you.
However, some coins have a hidden layer of value that goes far beyond a straight currency conversion. This is what's known as numismatic value – a term collectors use to describe how desirable a coin is. Think of it like the difference between a standard paperback you'd pick up at the airport and a rare, signed first edition. You can read both, but one is a prized possession for an enthusiast.
Key Factors Influencing Coin Value
So, what can turn a common franc into a collector's piece? You don't need to be an expert to use our service, but it's always fun to keep an eye out for these little details.
- Rarity: This is the big one. How many were made? Some coins had a very short production run, making them much harder to come by today. A low mintage number can send a coin's appeal through the roof.
- Condition: Coins are often graded based on wear and tear. A crisp, uncirculated coin that looks like it just rolled out of the mint will always fetch a higher price than a heavily scratched, well-worn version of the same coin.
- Precious Metal Content: It pays to check what your coins are made of. Older, higher-denomination francs were sometimes minted from silver or even gold. Their value is often directly tied to the current market price of the metal, which gives them a solid baseline worth.
- Historical Significance: Does the coin tell a story? Coins issued during major events, like a world war or a big political shift, often have a special appeal for collectors who are fascinated by the history behind them.
A Crucial Tip: Do Not Clean Your Coins
It’s so tempting to polish up a tarnished old coin to make it look shiny and new again. Please don't. This is genuinely one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Cleaning a coin, especially with anything abrasive, strips away its natural patina – that thin layer of colour that forms over decades.
For collectors, this patina is proof of a coin's age and authenticity. Wiping it away can slash its numismatic value, sometimes by more than 90%. It’s like stripping the original paint off a vintage car; you’re erasing its history.
The best advice? Just leave your coins as they are.
The great thing is, when you exchange foreign coins with us, you don't have to worry about any of that. Our process is designed to be completely hassle-free—we take everything, cleaned or not, sorted or not.
Our service, trusted by major UK brands like charities and airports, is 100% guaranteed. We make it fast and easy to convert foreign coins and notes into cash, making sure you get the full value from your collection without any of the hard work. To get started, just head over to our homepage.
How to Convert Your Foreign Coins into Cash
So, you’ve sorted through your collection and have a good idea of what you’re holding. Now for the best bit: turning those former French coins and other odds and ends into actual cash. We’ve designed our entire service around one simple promise—to make this process fast, easy, and completely painless for you. All the usual hurdles of currency exchange? We’ve gotten rid of them.
Don’t even think about spending your weekend sorting through a mountain of mixed-up coins and notes. With our service, there is absolutely no need to sort anything. Whether you have a handful of old French francs, a pocketful of Spanish pesetas, or some German marks from a trip years ago, just pop them all in together. We’ll do all the hard work of identifying and sorting them for you.
Your Simple Three-Step Exchange Process
We’ve boiled our process down to the absolute essentials. It's been refined over years of experience to make sure it’s quick, secure, and gets you paid without any fuss. It’s why some of the biggest UK brands—including national charities, major supermarkets, airports, and even police forces—trust us to handle their foreign currency collections.
Here’s just how simple it is to get started:
- Fill Out Our Online Form: Just a few basic details so we know who you are and where to send your payment. It honestly takes less than a minute.
- Package and Post Your Currency: Put all your coins and banknotes—sorted or unsorted—into a secure package like a jiffy bag or small box and send them our way.
- Receive Your Payment: As soon as we receive your currency, our team gets to work. We’ll process everything and send your payment by bank transfer, cheque, or even as a donation to one of our partner charities if you prefer.
It really is that straightforward. This simple method for your coin conversion to cash is what makes our service so popular.
Why Our Service Is 100% Guaranteed
We’re serious about providing a transparent and reliable service, which is why we stand by our 100% guarantee. You can send your currency to us with total peace of mind. You’ll always see our exchange rates upfront, and you’ll never find any hidden fees or surprise charges taken from your total. The amount we quote is the amount you get.
We believe turning leftover currency into cash shouldn't be complicated. Our secure, insured process ensures your money is safe from the moment it leaves your hands until it arrives in your bank account.
The idea of making currency exchange simple isn’t new. The old French franc system was so well-regarded it actually influenced Britain's own move to decimalisation. Parliament first shot the idea down in 1824, but the introduction of the two-shilling florin in 1849—worth exactly one-tenth of a pound—was a clear step towards a decimal-based model. You can read more about this historic change on Wikipedia's page about Decimal Day.
This long history of evolving currencies just goes to show why a simple, modern way to exchange foreign coins and notes is so essential. Let us help you unlock the value sitting in that old money. Head over to our homepage, fill out the form, and start the fast, easy, and secure process of turning those old coins into cash today.
A Simple Way to Donate Foreign Coins to Charity
Maybe you only have a small handful of former French coins, or perhaps you'd just rather see your leftover holiday money go to a good cause. Donating your currency is a powerful and incredibly easy way to make a real difference. We've made the process simple, turning what might feel like a bit of loose shrapnel into vital funds for non-profits.
The process is exactly the same as our standard cash exchange service—it’s fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. The only difference is that the final value goes directly to a charity of your choice. You still don’t need to sort a thing; just gather up all your leftover foreign currency and send it our way.
Why Your Donation Matters
Many UK charities receive donations of foreign coins and banknotes, but they often don't have the time or resources to exchange them efficiently. Bags of mixed currency can end up sitting in a back office for months, representing locked-away potential. Our service bridges that crucial gap.
We act as the trusted link between public generosity and charitable impact. By processing unsorted collections, we turn scattered, unusable coins into a significant and steady income stream for organisations doing incredible work.
We take our role in the charity fundraising world very seriously. We're trusted by major brands, including national charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, who all rely on our secure and efficient service. They know our 100% guaranteed process ensures every last centime is counted and converted.
This means your small collection of francs, when combined with thousands of others, creates a massive collective impact. If you want to donate foreign coins to charity, our service is the simplest and most effective way to make sure your contribution gets to those who need it most.
It’s a zero-hassle way to clear out some clutter while supporting a cause you care about. To get started, just head over to our homepage and fill out the form—it's that easy.
Securely Packaging Your Coins and Banknotes
You’ve gathered your former French coins and other odds and ends of currency – great! The final step is getting them to us, and we’ve made sure this part is just as simple and secure as the rest of our service. Having handled thousands of shipments over the years, we know exactly what works.
There’s no need to find any special materials. A sturdy padded envelope, like a Jiffy bag, or a small, strong box will do the job perfectly. This prevents your coins from rattling around too much or, worse, tearing through the packaging on their journey. If you need to acquire necessary packing supplies, it’s worth getting sorted before you send anything off.
Simple Steps for Secure Shipping
For total peace of mind, we always suggest using a tracked postal service. It lets you watch your package’s progress right to our doorstep, so you’re never left wondering where it is.
Here are a few practical tips to make sure everything goes smoothly:
- Seal it well: Use strong packing tape on all the seams of your box or envelope. You don’t want anything coming loose.
- Include your details: Just pop a little note inside with your name and the reference number you got from our online form. It helps us link the package to you and speed up your payment.
- Don’t declare the contents: For security, it’s best to keep the label simple. Avoid writing things like "currency" or "coins" on the outside of the package.
Our promise is a secure, trustworthy, and customer-focused experience. That starts when you first find our website and continues right up until you receive your money. These simple steps are all part of protecting your currency every step of the way.
Following this straightforward advice makes the process to exchange foreign coins and notes incredibly simple. It's a key part of our 100% guaranteed service, trusted by major UK charities, police forces, and airports.
Still Have a Few Questions?
It's completely normal to have questions before you send off your collection of former French coins. We get it. You want to be sure you're making the right choice. To put your mind at ease, we’ve answered some of the queries we hear most often. Our goal is to make everything crystal clear so you can feel confident in our fast, simple, and guaranteed service.
What if My French Coins Are Damaged or Really Old?
That’s no problem at all. In fact, that’s exactly what our service is for. We accept all foreign coins and banknotes, no matter their age or condition.
Don't waste time trying to clean them or sort out the bent or grimy ones. Just pop everything in together, and our team of experts will take care of the identification and sorting for you. Our 100% guarantee means you get a fair price for every single piece you send us.
How Quickly Will I Get Paid?
We know you don't want to wait around, which is why we’ve made our process as quick as possible. As soon as your currency arrives with us, our team gets straight to work processing it.
You can expect to see the money in your account, or receive a cheque, within just a few working days. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way, so you’re never left guessing.
Is It Worth Sending Just a Handful of Coins?
Absolutely, yes! You’d be surprised how quickly a small collection of leftover foreign currency can add up.
Many of our customers send us what they think is just a bit of loose change, only to be delighted with the final amount. Because our process is so easy—no sorting needed on your end—it’s always worth sending in whatever you have, big or small.
If you prefer, you can also choose to donate foreign coins to charity. We partner with several major UK charities, turning your old change into a meaningful contribution. It’s a simple way to make sure every last coin makes a real difference.
Can I Send Other Old Currencies Besides Francs?
Of course! We accept all kinds of foreign currency, not just French francs.
If you have old Spanish pesetas, German marks, or any other obsolete money lying around, you can send it all in the same package. The same goes for any leftover holiday coins and notes from your more recent travels. Just mix everything together—it’s the easiest way to convert foreign coins and banknotes all in one go.
It’s a simple, secure solution trusted by everyone from major supermarkets and airports to police forces across the UK.
Ready to turn those old coins into cash? At We Buy All Currency, our process is fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed. There's no need to sort your coins, and we're trusted by major brands across the UK. Visit our homepage to get started today and unlock the value in your forgotten currency. Start your exchange now.