How to Exchange a Former Portuguese Coin for Cash
Posted by: Ian Stainton • 16 Feb 2026
Found a handful of old Portuguese coins in a travel bag or inherited collection? Whether they're escudos or even older réis, you might be surprised to learn they can still be turned into cash, even though they’re long out of circulation. This guide offers practical tips and helpful advice on how to exchange your foreign coins, including any former Portuguese coin, quickly and easily.
Turn Your Old Portuguese Coins into Cash
If you've stumbled upon some old Portuguese currency, your first thought might be that it's just a souvenir. It’s a common assumption. Many people think that once a currency is obsolete, it's nothing more than a keepsake.
However, those leftover foreign currency from a holiday decades ago, or that jar of foreign shrapnel you inherited, can actually be converted into real money. You just need a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to do it.
The Portuguese escudo was the currency of Portugal from 1911 until the euro took over in 2002. Because of the strong travel and trade links between Portugal and the UK, countless escudo coins and notes made their way into British homes. They’re still sitting in drawers and coin jars, long after they were officially withdrawn.
Instead of letting that old holiday money collect dust, you can easily exchange it. Our service is designed to be quick, simple, and completely hassle-free, giving you an easy way to cash in on your leftover foreign currency.
We’re so confident you’ll be pleased that we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy with our valuation for any reason, we’ll send your currency straight back to you, free of charge.
A Trusted and Simple Solution
Our process is designed to be as straightforward as possible. Forget about the tedious job of sorting through every single coin and trying to identify them. There’s no need to sort your Portuguese escudos from other foreign currencies or worry about what condition they're in.
We simplify the whole thing by focusing on weight. It's a credible and efficient system trusted by some of the biggest names in the UK, including:
- Leading charities and police forces
- Major supermarkets and airports
These organisations rely on us for their foreign currency needs. Whether you want to exchange foreign coins for yourself or donate foreign coins to charity, we provide a seamless, guaranteed solution.
To see how much your old currency could be worth, just head over to our homepage to get started.
Identifying Your Portuguese Coin Collection
So, you've got a pile of old Portuguese coins and want to know what they're worth. The first step is figuring out exactly what you have. While our service is designed so you don't have to sort anything, a bit of knowledge can make the process more interesting. After all, it's always fun to know if you're holding a piece of history.
Most of the time, a former Portuguese coin you stumble across will be either an Escudo (the currency from 1911 to 2002) or the much older Réis (used before 1911). Telling them apart is actually simpler than it sounds. Escudo coins tend to have more modern designs and often feature the Portuguese coat of arms, whereas the older Réis coins usually bear the portraits of monarchs, giving them a classic, historical look.
Key Features to Look For
Even if you’re not sorting, spotting a few key details can be quite rewarding. Here’s a quick rundown of what to keep an eye out for on a former Portuguese coin:
- Dates: This is your biggest clue. A coin dated before 1911 is a Réis. Anything between 1911 and 2001 is an Escudo. Simple as that.
- Portraits and Symbols: Look for kings and queens on Réis coins. Escudos are more likely to show allegorical figures (like a representation of Liberty) or the national coat of arms. You can find more examples in our detailed guide on the old currency of Portugal.
- Denominations: Escudo values often use a "$" sign (known as a "cifrão") as a decimal separator, like 2$50 for two and a half escudos. Réis denominations are usually just written out as a number.
The metal itself is also a big factor. Most coins you'll find are made of common alloys, but some of the older issues might contain precious metals. If you think you have something special, it helps to know how to identify and sell foreign silver coins, as silver content can significantly increase a coin's value.
To help you decide what to do next, this flowchart breaks down the simple choices you have when you find old coins.
Ultimately, it comes down to a straightforward choice: keep your coins as a memento, or easily turn them into cash.
Quick Guide to Portuguese Escudos vs Réis
Use this reference to help distinguish between the two most common types of former Portuguese coins you might find in your collection.
| Feature | Portuguese Escudo (1911-2002) | Portuguese Réis (Pre-1911) |
|---|---|---|
| Era | Modern Republic | Monarchy / Early Republic |
| Dates | 1911 – 2001 | Before 1911 |
| Common Imagery | Coat of arms, allegorical figures | Portraits of monarchs |
| Denomination Style | Uses a "cifrão" ($) e.g., 5$00 | Simple number, e.g., 1000 |
This quick comparison should make it much easier to tell at a glance what kind of coins you’re looking at.
The Easiest Way to Convert Foreign Coins
While identifying coins is fun, you really don't need to do any of it to use our service. We’re trusted by major brands, from national charities to UK airports, precisely because we take all the hard work out of your hands.
You don't need to be a coin expert. Simply gather all your leftover foreign currency, weigh it, and get an instant quote online. It’s a simple, guaranteed way to turn forgotten change into real money.
Separating Common Coins from Rare Treasures
Let's be honest, not every old coin you stumble across will be a long-lost treasure, and that's perfectly okay. The vast majority of obsolete currency, like the handful of escudos from a past holiday, gets its value from the metal it's made from. These are your everyday circulation coins, and their worth is usually based on their weight and what they're made of.
However, some coins are genuine collector's items. These are the rare pieces that command much higher prices from numismatists (coin collectors) because of specific things that make them historically important or just plain scarce. Knowing the difference helps manage expectations and lets you appreciate what you've got.
Either way, our hassle-free service guarantees you a fair, transparent quote, turning your unsorted coins into cash without you needing to be an expert.
What Makes a Coin Valuable?
A few key factors can elevate a standard coin into a valuable collectible. While our service focuses on the collective weight, it’s always fascinating to know what to look for.
- Mint Condition: A coin that looks like it just left the mint—uncirculated and free from scratches or wear—is far more desirable than one that’s been rattling around in pockets for years.
- Low Mintage: The fewer coins of a particular design or year that were made, the rarer they become. Low production numbers can drastically increase a coin's value.
- Historical Significance: Coins minted during pivotal moments in history, or even those with minting errors, can be highly sought after. They’re a tangible link to the past.
A fantastic example is the gold Moidore. Did you know these former Portuguese coins were so common and trusted they were allowed to circulate as legal tender in the United Kingdom during the 18th century? It was all down to Portugal's massive trade surplus with England, fuelled by Brazilian gold.
One frustrated merchant in 1713 complained that 'we have hardly any other money current among us but Portuguese gold,' which just shows how widespread they were. You can learn more about Portugal's trading past and its impact on England.
Our Guarantee To You
Whether you have a bag of common escudos or a potential hidden gem, our promise remains the same. We offer a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed valuation. If you're not completely happy with our offer, we will return your currency free of charge.
The Easiest Way to Convert Foreign Coins
Telling the difference between common and rare coins takes a trained eye, but you don't need one to cash in on your collection. Our service is designed to remove all the guesswork.
We are trusted by major brands, including national charities, supermarkets, and even police forces, who rely on us to convert foreign coins and banknotes efficiently.
There’s no need to sort or individually appraise each piece. Just gather up your coins, and we’ll handle the rest, making sure you receive a fair price for the entire lot. It's the most straightforward way to exchange foreign coins and notes for cash.
Our Simple Process to Exchange Foreign Coins and Notes
Turning a pile of old coins and notes into cash shouldn't be a chore. We've created a straightforward process that cuts out all the usual hassle. Whether you've found a former Portuguese coin, have leftover holiday money, or a mix of obsolete banknotes, our system is designed to be fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed.
Forget about spending hours trying to sort your currency. Our unique weight-based approach means you don't have to. It's this simple, hassle-free method that has led major UK brands—including national charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces—to trust us with their foreign currency exchange.
Step 1: Get Your Instant Online Quote
Getting started is incredibly easy. Just head over to our online currency wizard to get an immediate quote for your collection. You won't need to list every single coin or note.
All we need is the total weight of your unsorted currency. This lets us give you an instant valuation, so you can see exactly what your leftover foreign money is worth before you even pop it in the post.
Step 2: Securely Package and Send Your Currency
Once you’re happy with your quote, the next step is to package everything up securely. We recommend using a sturdy box or a padded envelope to keep it all safe on its journey to us.
For complete peace of mind, we suggest using a tracked service like Royal Mail Special Delivery. It provides insurance and lets you follow your package right up until it lands safely at our facility. You can find more specific details by reading about how our process works on our site.
Our Promise to You
Your satisfaction is our top priority, which is why our service is backed by a 100% happiness guarantee. If for any reason you’re not completely happy with our final valuation, we’ll return your currency to you promptly, at our own expense. It’s a completely risk-free way to turn your old coins and notes into cash.
Step 3: Receive Your Fast Payment
As soon as your package arrives, our expert team gets to work. We carefully verify, sort, and process your entire collection of coins and banknotes before confirming the final exchange value with you.
Once you give us the thumbs-up, we get your payment sent out swiftly. We promise to send your money within five working days, and you can choose to receive it via a direct bank transfer or PayPal—whichever is best for you. It’s the most convenient and reliable way to exchange foreign coins and notes, turning that forgotten clutter into cash with minimal fuss.
Turn Your Old Currency into a Charitable Donation
Got a drawer full of old currency? That collection of former Portuguese coins and leftover holiday money could be doing something far more meaningful than just taking up space. Turning it into a charitable donation is a powerful way to make a real difference—and it's simple, fast, and completely hassle-free.
This isn’t a new idea. In fact, many of the UK’s leading organisations already trust us to handle this process for them. We partner with major brands, from national charities and supermarkets to airports and even police forces, to convert the foreign currency they collect into vital funds for their work. Our system is built to handle large, mixed collections without any need for sorting.
For individuals, it's an incredibly easy way to contribute. Instead of letting that leftover holiday money go to waste, you can give it a new purpose.
How to Donate Foreign Coins to Charity
Our platform makes it easy to send your payment directly to one of our partnered UK charities. When you go through our simple exchange process, you can choose to send the cash value of your currency straight to a cause you care about. With just a few clicks, your unsorted coins and notes become a meaningful contribution.
Here’s how it works:
- Get your quote: Use our online wizard to get an instant valuation based on the weight of your coins.
- Send your currency: Package your coins up securely and send them to us.
- Choose your charity: Pick one of our trusted charity partners to receive the payment.
This process transforms what was once just clutter into crucial support for organisations doing important work. If you'd like to explore this further, you can find detailed information on where you can donate foreign coins.
Donating your leftover foreign currency is a powerful way to make an impact. We guarantee that 100% of the exchange value goes directly to the charity of your choice, turning forgotten change into a force for good.
Before making any donation, it’s always a good idea to do your research. For charities based in the US, for example, it's wise to confirm their 501c3 status to ensure your contributions are going to a recognised non-profit. With our service, you can have complete peace of mind, as we ensure all our UK partners are registered and credible.
Ready to Turn Your Old Coins into Cash?
That jar of leftover holiday money or an inherited bag of old coins doesn't have to just sit there gathering dust. Whether you've found a single former Portuguese coin or have a whole collection of currencies from around the world, turning them into cash is much easier than you might think. We've designed our entire process to be fast, simple, and completely straightforward.
Forget the guesswork. There's no need to spend hours trying to sort or identify every last coin and note. Our service is built on trust and efficiency, which is why we’re the chosen partner for major UK organisations—including leading charities, airports, supermarkets, and even police forces.
Your Fast and Easy Exchange Solution
Ready to get started? We’ve made it incredibly simple:
- Fast and Easy: Get an instant online quote based on weight. You don't need to sort a thing.
- Hassle-Free: Just package up your unsorted collection and send it to us.
- 100% Guaranteed: Your satisfaction is our top priority. If you're not happy with our final offer for any reason at all, we’ll return your currency to you completely free of charge.
Our unique service is the perfect way to exchange foreign coins, convert foreign coins and banknotes, or donate foreign coins to charity. We handle absolutely everything, ensuring a secure and transparent experience from start to finish.
Don’t let that old currency sit idle any longer. Get your instant quote today and see for yourself how easy it is to turn forgotten coins and notes into real cash.
A Few Common Questions
If you're thinking about turning your old Portuguese coins or other foreign currency into cash, you're bound to have a few questions. Here is some real-world insight and helpful advice to show you just how simple the process is.
Do I Need to Sort Through My Mixed Bag of Foreign Coins?
Not at all. Our whole service is built to be completely hassle-free. There's no need to sort anything.
Just pop all your coins into one package, use our online tool to get a quick quote based on the total weight, and send them our way. We’ll do all the sorting and counting for you. We take pretty much everything from all over the world, old and new, making this the easiest way to exchange your foreign coins.
Is My Currency Insured When I Post It?
We always recommend sending your currency using a tracked and insured service, like Royal Mail Special Delivery. This practical tip gives you extra peace of mind knowing your package is protected right up until it lands safely with us.
It's worth remembering that we're trusted by major UK organisations, from airports and supermarkets to police forces and national charities, so your currency is in safe hands from start to finish.
How Quickly Will I Get Paid?
We know you don't want to wait around, so we pride ourselves on being fast and efficient. As soon as your currency arrives and we've checked it over, we promise to send your payment within five working days.
You can get your money via a direct bank transfer or through PayPal – whatever works best for you. It's a quick and simple way to get cash for those old coins and notes.
Your satisfaction is everything to us, which is why we have a 100% happiness guarantee. After we’ve processed your currency, we’ll let you know the final exchange value. If you’re not completely happy with the amount for any reason, just tell us. We'll return your currency to you straight away, completely free of charge. No hidden fees, no risk.
This guarantee means you can send us your foreign coins and banknotes with total confidence. Our process is designed to be easy, secure, and worthwhile for you.
Ready to unlock the value in your old currency? We Buy All Currency makes it simple. Head over to our homepage to get your free, no-obligation quote and convert your foreign coins and banknotes into cash today. It's the fast, easy, and hassle-free way to deal with leftover foreign currency.