< back to Blog

Old Currencies of Europe A Guide to Exchange

Posted by: Ian • 21 Oct 2025

Ever come back from a holiday and found a handful of Lira, Francs, or Pesetas jangling in your pocket years later? You’re definitely not alone. Many of us have a jar or a drawer filled with these old currencies of Europe, remnants of trips taken before the Euro became king. While they're no longer used in shops, they can still be worth real money.

What to Do with Your Old Holiday Money

That dusty jar of foreign cash on your shelf is more than just a collection of memories—it's a hidden asset. It’s a common story: people return from their travels with a pocketful of coins and notes, write them off as worthless, and forget about them. But turning that obsolete money into cash is far easier than you might imagine.

Our entire service is built to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. We want to help you turn that forgotten holiday money into something you can actually use.

One of the biggest things that puts people off is the thought of sifting through a massive jumble of different coins and notes. With us, you don't have to. We take care of all the tedious work, so there's absolutely no need to sort anything. Just gather it all up, and we'll handle the rest. It’s a simple way to exchange foreign coins and banknotes from dozens of different countries all in one go.

A Simple Process You Can Trust

We know that trust is everything when it comes to handling your money. That’s why we offer a 100% guarantee on our service. We’re proud to be the trusted partner for major UK brands, including well-known charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces who rely on us for their currency exchange needs. This network of partners is your assurance that you’re getting a reliable and secure service.

This infographic gives you a quick look at how simple our process is and the types of currencies we handle.

As you can see, whether you've got Italian Lira or German Deutsche Marks, the path to converting them is straightforward. And for those rare instances where old money becomes a collector's item, it's always useful to have a good guide to modern collection tracking to manage its value.

From Leftover Coins to Real Cash

So, what will you do with the cash? Whether you want to exchange foreign coins and notes for yourself or donate them to a charity, that old currency has real potential. It could help fund a personal project, top up your savings, or support a cause you really care about.

Our goal is simple: to give you practical, no-nonsense advice to finally do something with those foreign coins and banknotes that have been gathering dust for years. Let’s get started on turning that forgotten money into something tangible.

A Journey Through Europe's Iconic Pre-Euro Money

Before the Euro made travelling and trading a breeze, Europe was a patchwork of unique national currencies. Every banknote and coin told a story about its country's history, culture, and economic highs and lows. If you've got a stash of old currencies of Europe, getting to know their background is the first step to figuring out what they're worth.

So many of these forgotten treasures are still tucked away in old travel wallets and drawers across the UK. Let's take a look at some of the most recognisable ones you might have lying around.

The German Deutsche Mark

Known simply as the Mark, the Deutsche Mark (DEM) was a true powerhouse of the post-war European economy. It was rolled out in 1948 and quickly became a symbol of Germany's Wirtschaftswunder, or "economic miracle." Its stability and strength made it one of the most respected currencies on the planet.

The banknotes often featured portraits of famous German artists, scientists, and writers, tying the country's economic muscle to its rich cultural heritage. The coins were practical and built to last, making them a very common piece of leftover holiday money.

The Elegant French Franc

The French Franc (FRF) was famous for its stunning, artistic designs. It was a currency that truly celebrated France's huge contribution to the arts and culture, with notes that often looked more like miniature masterpieces than simple cash.

You'd find all sorts of famous figures from French history, science, and literature on the notes:

• Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: The author of The Little Prince graced the 50 Franc note.
• Paul Cézanne: The legendary post-impressionist painter was featured on the 100 Franc note.
• Gustave Eiffel: The architect behind the iconic Eiffel Tower appeared on the 200 Franc note.

These beautiful details make the French Franc a fascinating currency to rediscover.

"Every old banknote tells a story, not just of a country's economy, but of its identity. The designs on French Francs or German Marks were a source of national pride, showcasing the very best of their culture to the world."

The High-Value Italian Lira

For many travellers, the Italian Lira (ITL) is best remembered for its high numbers. It wasn't strange at all to be handling banknotes worth thousands or even tens of thousands of Lira for everyday shopping. This was a hangover from post-war inflation, which led to a currency with a lot of zeros.

Lira banknotes featured prominent Italians who shaped history, like the artist Caravaggio and the inventor Guglielmo Marconi. The coins, often made of lightweight aluminium, are some of the most common old currencies found today. If you have a big bag of mixed foreign coins, there's a very good chance some Italian Lira are rattling around in there.

The Historic Spanish Peseta

The Spanish Peseta (ESP) had a long and celebrated history, serving as Spain's currency for over 130 years before the Euro took over. Its name is thought to come from a Catalan word for "little piece," and its story mirrors Spain's own dynamic history through the 19th and 20th centuries.

The banknotes featured portraits of Spanish royalty, explorers like Christopher Columbus, and celebrated artists such as Goya and Velázquez. Finding Pesetas in your collection is like holding a small piece of Spain's rich past in your hands. For a more detailed look at these and other currencies, you can explore our full list of the former currencies of Europe.

Recognising these iconic currencies is exciting, but what's next? You could spend hours trying to sort and identify every single coin and note. Or, you could choose our fast, easy, and hassle-free service.

We handle the entire process for you—no need to sort a thing. As a trusted partner for major UK charities, airports, and police forces, we offer a 100% guarantee, ensuring a credible and secure way to convert your leftover foreign currency.

Exploring Britain's Pre-Decimal Pounds and Shillings

While much of Europe cycled through currencies before landing on the Euro, the UK stuck firmly with its Pound Sterling. But don't let that fool you into thinking its history is simple. Before 15th February 1971—a date known as "Decimal Day"—Britain ran on a completely different system of pounds, shillings, and pence that can feel wonderfully confusing to the uninitiated.

This "old money" is properly known as the £sd system, which stands for librae, solidi, and denarii. If you've ever inherited a coin collection or stumbled upon a tin of old British money, you've likely found some of these fascinating bits of history.

Decoding the Old Money System

Getting your head around the relationship between the coins is the first step. The system, based on ancient Roman currency, had been around for centuries. It worked like this: 12 pence made a shilling, and 20 shillings made a pound. That meant a single pound contained a whopping 240 pence—a far cry from the simple 100 we have today.

The UK's currency was a rich tapestry of coins with unique names. Beyond the basic penny and shilling, you had coins like the half crown (worth two shillings and sixpence, or 2/6d) and the florin (two shillings). An early nod towards a simpler future came in 1849 with the two-shilling silver florin, which was exactly one-tenth of a pound. It was a hint of the decimal system that would take another century to fully arrive.

Common Pre-Decimal Coins You Might Find

If you're sorting through a collection, these are some of the names you'll probably come across. They sound like something straight out of a history book:

• Farthing: The smallest of the lot, worth just a quarter of an old penny.
• Halfpenny: Pronounced "hay-p'nee," it was worth half an old penny.
• Threepence: A quirky, often 12-sided coin known affectionately as a "thrupenny bit."
• Sixpence: A small silver coin, famous for being hidden in Christmas puddings for good luck.
• Shilling: The workhorse of the system, equal to 12 old pence.
• Florin: A two-shilling coin, also called a "two-bob bit."
• Half Crown: A hefty silver coin valued at two shillings and sixpence.

"Finding these old coins is like unearthing a piece of everyday British life from the past. Each coin, from the tiny farthing to the hefty half crown, passed through countless hands and tells a unique story of its time."

For anyone curious about what these old treasures might be worth today, we've put together a detailed guide to explore pre-decimal coin values.

Turn Your Old British Coins into Cash

Let's be honest, sorting through all these old coins can feel like a massive chore. You could spend hours trying to identify each one and figure out its place in this complicated old system. But what if you could skip all that?

Our service is designed to be completely fast, easy, and hassle-free. There’s no need to sort your coins or wrap your head around the complexities of the old £sd system. Just send us your collection of leftover foreign currency and old British coins, and we do all the work.

We’re a trusted partner for major UK brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, offering a 100% guaranteed service. We make it simple to convert foreign coins and banknotes—including obsolete ones—into cash you can actually use.

The Evolution from Paper Notes to Modern Polymer

The story behind the banknotes in your wallet is a fascinating one, weaving together technology, security, and even art. If you've ever stumbled upon an old banknote from a past holiday, you're holding a snapshot of a specific moment in time, a design shaped by the central bank that issued it. Understanding this journey from old paper to modern polymer helps explain why so many old currencies of Europe were eventually withdrawn.

This constant shift from one material to another wasn't just for show. Each new series of notes was designed to be tougher, more secure, and a better reflection of a nation's pride, which naturally made the older versions obsolete.

From Early Paper to Refined Designs

The idea of paper money isn't new to Europe; it has pretty deep roots. While the Bank of England was central to developing British currency, the very first European paper banknotes were actually issued way back in 1696 by the Bank of Scotland. Fast forward to the 20th century, and the Bank of England's £1 note was a familiar sight, even remaining legal tender in Scotland and Northern Ireland until late 1984. It's a great example of how currency use can vary even within the same country. You can dive deeper into the history of pound sterling banknotes to see how they’ve changed over time.

As printing technology got more sophisticated, so did the banknotes. To stay one step ahead of counterfeiters, central banks started embedding clever new features into their designs, such as:

• Watermarks: Those faint images you can only see when you hold a note up to the light.
• Metal Threads: A thin metallic strip woven directly into the paper itself.
• Intaglio Printing: This technique created raised ink, giving banknotes that unique, tactile feel.

These were brilliant innovations for their day. But as technology marched on, so did the counterfeiters, forcing banks to keep pushing the boundaries of banknote design.

The Shift to Modern Polymer

The biggest leap in banknote tech in recent memory has undoubtedly been the move from paper to polymer. These notes are essentially thin, flexible sheets of plastic, and they bring some serious advantages to the table. They’re much more durable, waterproof, and tear-resistant, meaning they last far longer out in the real world.

The Bank of England kicked off its own transition in 2016 with the polymer £5 note featuring Winston Churchill. The new £10 note with Jane Austen and the £20 note with artist J.M.W. Turner followed suit. This switch officially made the old paper versions obsolete, adding them to the growing pile of withdrawn currency from around the world.

"The switch to polymer was about more than just durability. It allowed for the integration of highly advanced security features, like transparent windows and holographic foils, making the notes significantly harder to fake and boosting public confidence in the currency."

What This Means for Your Old Currency

This constant cycle of innovation is precisely why you might have old paper notes that shops no longer accept. They may have been withdrawn from circulation, but that doesn't mean they're worthless. You can still convert foreign coins and banknotes, including these obsolete paper ones, into spendable cash.

Let's be honest, trying to sort through different designs, security features, and issue dates yourself can be a real headache. That’s why we’ve designed our service to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. You don't even need to sort your old currency—just send it all to us, and we'll handle the rest.

We are trusted by major UK brands, including charities, airports, and police forces, to manage their currency exchange needs. With our 100% guarantee, you can feel confident that you’re using a credible and efficient service to exchange your leftover foreign currency. Ready to see what your old money is worth? Pop over to our homepage to get started.

How to Exchange Your Old Currency the Easy Way

So, you’ve unearthed that pile of old coins and notes—German Marks, French Francs, maybe even some pre-decimal British shillings. Now for the exciting part: turning that collection of old currencies of Europe into cash you can actually spend. The thought of it might feel like a chore, but we've designed our service to be the exact opposite: fast, easy, and completely hassle-free.

Forget squinting through a magnifying glass, painstakingly sorting coins by country, or trying to work out which banknotes are still valid. Our whole process is built on simplicity. You don't need to be a currency expert or a historian. You just need to gather up your collection, and we’ll handle the rest. It's a straightforward approach for anyone looking to convert foreign coins and banknotes without any of the usual stress.

Our mission is to make currency exchange simple for everyone, from individuals with a small jar of holiday money to large organisations dealing with bulk amounts.

Our Simple Step-by-Step Process

We’ve spent years refining our system to make sure it's as smooth and transparent as it can be. There are no complicated forms or hidden fees—just a clear path from your old currency to your new cash.

Here’s how our fast and easy process works:

1. Gather Your Currency: Just collect all your leftover foreign currency. And remember, there is absolutely no need to sort coins or notes. Whether it’s a jumble of Euros, obsolete Pesetas, or old American cents, just pop it all in together.
2. Package It Securely: Place your currency in a sturdy bag or envelope. If you're sending a larger amount, a secure box is always a good idea.
3. Send It to Us: Post your package to us using a tracked delivery service. This gives you complete peace of mind.
4. Receive Your Payment: As soon as we receive and process your currency, we'll send your payment directly to you. It really is that simple.

This is exactly why so many people trust us to exchange foreign coins and notes. It just works.

Built on Trust and Credibility

Handing over money, even if it's currency you can no longer spend, requires a huge amount of trust. We get that. It’s why we've built our reputation on reliability and transparency, backed by a 100% guarantee. We are proud to be the trusted currency exchange partner for some of the UK’s most respected organisations.

Our partners include:

• Major UK Charities: We help them turn donated foreign coins into vital funds for their causes.
• National Supermarkets: We manage the currency collected right in their stores.
• Major Airports: We process the currency left in donation globes by millions of travellers.
• Police Forces: We're the trusted service for handling currency recovered as part of their operations.

These partnerships aren’t just names on a list; they’re a testament to our credibility. When you choose our service, you're choosing a company that leading UK brands rely on for secure, efficient, and honest currency exchange.

This network of trust means you can feel completely confident when you send us your currency. We provide a service that is not only easy but also incredibly secure.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Exchange

To make the process even smoother, here are a couple of helpful tips. While you don’t need to sort anything, a little preparation goes a long way.

For instance, if you have a very large collection of coins, using a strong, padded envelope or a small, sturdy box will ensure it arrives with us safely. We also always recommend getting a tracking number when you post your package. It allows you to follow its journey and gives you that extra layer of security. We provide a full guide on how to exchange old currency that walks you through every little detail.

Whether you want to cash in for yourself or donate foreign coins to charity, our service provides the simplest path forward. It's time to unlock the value hidden in that drawer and put it to good use.

Why Europe's Old Currencies Were Replaced

If you’ve got a drawer somewhere filled with old Lira, Francs, or Deutsche Marks, you’re holding onto relics from a very different economic time. The move away from these national currencies towards the Euro, or in the UK’s case, decimalisation, wasn’t random. It was a huge, deliberate effort to simplify, stabilise, and connect the continent's economies.

For centuries, Europe was a patchwork of different monetary systems. While this was great for national pride, it was a real headache for trade and travel. Imagine the hassle of constantly exchanging money, grappling with ever-changing rates, and navigating complicated maths just to buy something across the border. The big push for a single currency was all about tearing down those financial walls.

The UK and Decimal Day

Long before the Euro was even a twinkle in a politician's eye, the UK went through its own massive currency shake-up. On 15th February 1971, a day now known as "Decimal Day," Britain said goodbye to its ancient and frankly confusing system of pounds, shillings, and pence.

The groundwork was laid a couple of years earlier with the Decimal Currency Act of 1969. The old system, where a pound was worth 240 pence, was swapped for a much simpler one: 100 new pence to the pound. To ease everyone in, new coins like the 5p and 10p were introduced beforehand, which were the same size as the shilling and florin they replaced. You can dive deeper into how Britain embraced decimalisation to see how this moment streamlined the nation’s economy.

The Birth of the Eurozone

Across the channel, an even bigger project was taking shape. The creation of the Euro was all about forging deeper economic bonds and putting a stop to the currency chaos that had often troubled the continent. By getting member countries to adopt a single currency, the goals were clear:

• Simpler Trade: Businesses could finally trade across Eurozone borders without worrying about risky exchange rate fluctuations.
• Easier Travel: Tourists could hop between countries without having to constantly exchange foreign coins and notes.
• Price Transparency: It suddenly became much easier for shoppers to compare the price of goods and services from one country to another.
• Economic Stability: A single currency, managed by the European Central Bank, was designed to create a more predictable and stable economic environment for everyone involved.

The launch of the Euro on 1st January 1999 was more than just a change of money. It was a powerful statement about a shared European identity and a unified future.

This monumental shift is why so many familiar currencies—from the Spanish Peseta to the Greek Drachma—were taken out of circulation. But just because they're no longer legal tender doesn't mean they're worthless.

Our fast, easy, and hassle-free service is here to help you convert foreign coins and banknotes from these old systems into cash you can actually spend. Trusted by major UK charities, airports, and police forces, our 100% guaranteed service is secure and reliable. Best of all, there’s no need to sort your coins; just send us your collection, and we'll do the rest.

Ready to unlock the value in your old money? Visit our homepage to get started.

Your Top Questions About Old Currency Exchange Answered

Diving into the world of old and obsolete currency can feel a bit confusing at first. To help you feel completely confident, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions we get about exchanging old currencies from Europe. Our aim is to make everything as clear and simple as possible.

Do I Need to Sort My Coins and Notes?

Absolutely not! This is one of the biggest time-savers of our service. We know that sifting through a big, mixed bag of foreign currency is a job nobody wants to do.

Our process is designed to be completely hassle-free. Just pop everything into one package and send it our way. We’ll take care of all the sorting and identifying for you.

What Types of Currency Do You Accept?

We take a huge range of currency, which is what makes our service so convenient for so many people. You can send us:

• Obsolete Pre-Euro Currencies: Think Italian Lira, German Deutsche Marks, Spanish Pesetas, French Francs, and all the rest.
• Old British and Irish Currency: We happily accept pre-decimal pounds, shillings, and pence, as well as the old round pound coins.
• Withdrawn Banknotes: If you've got old paper banknotes that are no longer in circulation, we can exchange those too.
• Current Foreign Coins and Notes: Any leftover holiday money from recent trips is also welcome.

How Do I Know I Can Trust Your Service?

Trust is everything to us. We offer a 100% guarantee on our service to give you complete peace of mind.

On top of that, we’re the go-to currency exchange partner for some of the UK’s most recognisable organisations. We work with major charities, national supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. These partnerships speak volumes about how reliable and secure our process is.

Is the Process Really That Easy?

Yes, it really is. We’ve spent years perfecting our system to be as fast and easy as it can be.

You just gather up your currency, send it to us, and we handle the rest. It’s a completely straightforward way to convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash without any of the usual stress. Whether you want the money for yourself or prefer to donate foreign coins to charity, we make it happen smoothly.

By removing the need to sort coins and offering a fully guaranteed service, we've created the simplest way to unlock the hidden value in your leftover currency. We handle the complexity so you don't have to.

---

Ready to turn your old money into real, usable cash? At We Buy All Currency, our fast, easy, and hassle-free service is trusted by major brands and backed by a 100% guarantee. Visit our homepage to get started today at https://www.webuyallcurrency.com.