How to Sell Leftover Currency The Easy Way
Posted by: Ian • 9 Jan 2026
So, you want to sell leftover currency? We’ve created a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to turn that forgotten foreign cash into pounds, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Just pack up your currency—no need to sort the coins from the notes—and send it over. We’ll handle the exchange quickly and easily.
Turn Your Leftover Holiday Money into Cash
After a brilliant trip abroad, most of us come back with more than just a tan and some good memories. Tucked away in suitcases, pockets, and kitchen jars are the remnants of our holiday spending: a few euros, some US dollars, and maybe a handful of coins you don’t even recognise. More often than not, this collection of leftover foreign currency is destined to gather dust for years.
It’s easy to assume it’s not worth the effort to exchange a few foreign coins and notes, especially when you’re dealing with small amounts or a mix of different currencies. But that forgotten cash holds real value just waiting to be unlocked. Of course, good financial planning can help minimise how much you bring back in the first place. For tips on managing your expenses and making the most of your travel budget, check out this helpful guide.
A Trusted and Hassle-Free Solution
We’ve designed a completely straightforward way to convert those foreign coins and banknotes into pounds sterling. Our whole process is built to be fast, easy and hassle-free from start to finish. You don’t need to spend ages sorting through different denominations or separating coins from notes—just send it all to us, and we’ll do the rest.
Our commitment to a fast, easy service is built on trust and credibility. We’re proud to be the chosen currency exchange partner for some of the UK’s most respected organisations, including:
- Major national charities who trust us to process their currency donations.
- Leading supermarkets and airports that rely on our efficient service.
- Police forces that use our platform for handling foreign currency.
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, ensuring you receive a fair and transparent valuation. If you're not happy for any reason, we'll return your currency completely free of charge.
Whether you want the cash paid directly into your bank account or you’d rather donate foreign coins to charity, our service provides a secure and reliable solution. It’s time to finally empty those jars and turn your old travel souvenirs into something genuinely useful.
Why High Street Exchanges Often Disappoint
When you want to sell leftover currency, your first instinct might be to pop down to the local bank or a high street bureau de change. It feels like the most obvious move, but more often than not, this path leads to a dead end.
These places are really set up to handle one thing: selling big, round sums of major currencies to people heading abroad. They aren't equipped for the odds and ends we all bring back.
Imagine you walk in with a mixed bag – a few US dollar bills, a pocketful of euro coins, and maybe some old Swiss francs from a trip years ago. The likely response? A polite but firm "no". It’s a common story, and it perfectly highlights why traditional exchanges just don't cut it for your leftover holiday money.
The Problem with Coins and Old Notes
The biggest roadblock you'll hit is their policy on foreign coins. High street providers almost universally refuse to exchange foreign coins. For them, the low value and high cost of processing all that shrapnel just isn't worth the hassle. That jar of foreign coins you’ve been collecting? It’s pretty much worthless in their eyes.
It’s a similar story with banknotes. They’re incredibly fussy about the condition and age of your cash. If you’ve got a note that’s even slightly torn, has a pen mark, or is from a series that’s been taken out of circulation, they’ll reject it on the spot. You’re left holding a bunch of money you can’t spend and, apparently, can't exchange either.
Traditional exchanges are built for a different purpose. They aren't equipped to handle the varied, small-volume, and mixed-format currency that most travellers bring home, creating a gap in the market for a more flexible solution.
Unfavourable Rates for Smaller Amounts
Let’s say you get lucky and they agree to take your notes. The buy-back rates you'll be offered for small amounts are often pretty terrible. High street exchanges make their profit on the 'spread' – the gap between their buying and selling price – and this gap gets much wider for smaller, less common transactions.
The reality is that most UK travellers come home with the equivalent of £20 to £100 in leftover currency, usually a mix of notes and coins. If they accept it at all, high-street providers will quote you a poor rate for these smaller sums. This is where specialist UK services that convert foreign coins and banknotes – including old and pre-euro currencies – completely change the game. You can dig deeper into the data by checking out this summary of UK foreign exchange trends.
This is exactly why a specialist online service is such a game-changer. We offer a fast, guaranteed, and hassle-free alternative that accepts it all – coins, old notes, and mixed currencies. We provide a genuine solution to a problem every single traveller runs into. You don't even need to sort your coins; just send everything to us for a simple and fair exchange.
A Practical Guide to Exchanging Your Currency Online
So, you've decided to skip the high street queues and unlock the value in your leftover holiday money. Smart move. The online process is designed to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free, turning that forgotten stash of notes and coins into real cash with minimal effort.
This is a 100% guaranteed service trusted by major brands like supermarkets, airports, charities, and even police forces, so you can feel confident every step of the way. Let's walk through just how simple it is to convert foreign coins and banknotes right from your kitchen table.
Gather Your Currency with Zero Sorting
The first stage is often the most satisfying: gathering up all your leftover currency. Have a rummage through old travel bags, coat pockets, and that dedicated "money drawer" we all seem to have. Don't worry about what you find—our service is built to handle it all.
The best part? There’s absolutely no need to sort your coins. If you've got a big bag of mixed shrapnel from different countries, that’s perfect. Just tip it all in together. We do all the painstaking work of identifying and counting for you, saving you hours of tedious effort.
Get an Instant Quote with Our Online Calculator
Once you have your collection, it’s time to find out what it’s worth. Our online calculator is built for speed and transparency, giving you an immediate valuation.
- For Banknotes: Simply select the currency and enter the total value of the notes you have.
- For Unsorted Coins: Choose the ‘Mixed Coins’ option and enter the total weight. A standard set of kitchen scales is perfectly fine for this.
- For Sorted Coins: If you happen to know what you have, you can enter the value for each currency individually.
This tool gives you a clear and instant quote, showing you exactly what you can expect to receive. It’s a crucial part of our commitment to a transparent and trustworthy process.
Our service is built around a simple promise: what you are quoted is what you get. There are no hidden fees or surprise deductions. The entire journey is designed to be straightforward and secure.
Securely Pack and Post Your Money
After accepting your quote, the next step is sending your currency to us. Packing it securely is essential for peace of mind, and it's a very simple process.
All you need to do is place your coins and notes into a sturdy bag or envelope, then include the reference number from your quote so we can identify it. Our guide on how to exchange foreign currency online offers more detailed tips on packaging.
To make sure your package arrives safe and sound, follow these simple steps.
How to Pack and Send Your Currency Securely
Follow these best practices to ensure your leftover currency arrives safely and is processed quickly.
| Action | How to Do It | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Choose Strong Packaging | Use a padded jiffy bag or a small, sturdy box. Avoid flimsy paper envelopes that can tear easily under the weight of coins. | Double-bagging the coins inside the main package adds an extra layer of security, just in case. |
| Include Your Reference | Print out your quote or write the reference number clearly on a slip of paper and place it inside with the currency. | Don't write personal details or what's inside on the outside of the package. Keep it discreet. |
| Seal It Tight | Use strong packing tape to securely seal all openings. Make sure the package is completely sealed to prevent anything from falling out. | A good rule of thumb is to tape it well enough that you'd trust it if you dropped it down the stairs! |
| Use Tracked Postage | We always recommend a tracked and insured service like Royal Mail Special Delivery for complete visibility and protection. | Sending it this way gives you a tracking number and proof of delivery, which is exactly how our big corporate partners send their currency to us. |
It's the same secure method used by our corporate partners, including major charities and police forces.
Once we receive your package, our team gets to work verifying its contents. We then process your payment promptly, typically within five working days. You can choose to receive your money via a direct bank transfer or PayPal—whichever you prefer. It really is that simple to sell leftover currency and see the funds appear in your account.
What to Do with Old and Obsolete Currency
Have you ever found a dusty tin at the back of a drawer, filled with old coins and notes from holidays long past? Many of us stumble upon old Spanish Pesetas, German Deutschmarks, or even old British shillings and just assume they’re worthless now. Your local high street exchange will likely tell you the same thing, as they almost always only deal with current, circulating money.
But this is where a specialist service like ours really makes a difference. While those old notes and coins have no value on the high street, we can still convert them into cash. We offer a simple, reliable way to sell leftover currency that others have written off, reinforcing our promise to exchange pretty much any money you can find.
It's a unique service that offers a lifeline for money most people believe is lost forever. This is why we've become a trusted expert in currency exchange, relied upon by charities, supermarkets, and even police forces across the country.
Turning Pre-Euro Money into Pounds
Before the Euro arrived in 2002, Europe was a vibrant patchwork of different currencies. It’s incredibly common for people to find notes and coins from old holidays stashed away, forgotten for decades.
Whatever you do, don't just throw them out! These pre-euro currencies often still hold value and can be exchanged. We regularly help customers exchange foreign coins and notes that bring back memories of past travels, including:
- German Deutschmarks: Easily one of the most common pre-euro currencies we see.
- Spanish Pesetas: These often turn up in old holiday souvenir boxes.
- French Francs: Another popular one from European trips before 2002.
- Irish Punts: Fondly remembered by anyone who travelled to Ireland before the Euro.
Finding these can feel like discovering a small, forgotten treasure. Our fast and hassle-free service means you can unlock their value without any complications. You can find out more in our complete guide on what to do with old currency.
Our entire service is designed to be completely straightforward. You don’t need to be a currency expert to cash in. Just send us what you have, and we’ll handle all the identification and valuation with our 100% happiness guarantee.
Handling Withdrawn and Pre-Decimal Coins
It isn't just foreign money that goes out of date. Currencies all over the world, including here in the UK, are regularly updated, with older series being withdrawn from circulation. This includes things like the old round British £1 coins or pre-decimal currency like shillings and sixpences.
While you can no longer pop them in a vending machine or spend them in shops, these coins are far from worthless. We provide a vital service for anyone looking to convert foreign coins and banknotes that have been officially withdrawn. It's this commitment to handling all types of currency—no matter how old or obscure—that makes our service so dependable.
Simply put, if you’ve got it, we can almost certainly exchange it for you.
Get Paid or Pay It Forward to Charity
Once your collection of coins and notes lands safely with us, our team gets straight to work verifying everything. After that quick, hassle-free process, you’re at a crossroads with two brilliant options. You can get paid directly and turn that forgotten holiday cash into spendable money, or you can pay it forward and donate the entire value to a good cause.
This flexibility is at the heart of what we do. Whether you fancy boosting your own bank balance or want to make a real difference for a charity, the choice is completely yours.
Maximising Your Return
If you decide to take the cash, there are a few simple tricks to make sure you’re getting the best possible value when you sell leftover currency. While we’re proud to offer great rates for any amount, larger collections often fetch even better terms.
Why not pool your money with friends or family? Combining everyone’s leftover holiday shrapnel into a single, larger package is more efficient and can boost the final payout you receive. And remember, our 100% happiness guarantee puts you in control. If you’re not happy with our valuation for any reason, we’ll send your currency straight back to you, completely free of charge.
Making a Difference Through Charitable Donations
Your unwanted currency can also become a powerful force for good. Choosing to donate foreign coins to charity is a surprisingly simple yet incredibly impactful way to support vital work here in the UK. Instead of the payment coming to you, you can direct the full amount to one of our charity partners.
This is the perfect route for anyone who wants to contribute without dipping into their own pocket. It’s also a fantastic option for organisations running their own fundraising drives. Just imagine turning a small bag of coins from various trips into a meaningful donation that could change lives.
If you're thinking about this, our dedicated guide explains exactly how to donate foreign coins.
When you choose to exchange or donate, you’re joining a huge movement. Two-thirds of UK travellers come home with leftover currency, creating a potential pot of over £2 billion every single year. Tapping into this is a fantastic way to unlock hidden value for yourself or for charity.
This constant stream of leftover cash is a massive opportunity. A good chunk of it, often around £49 per trip, gets stuffed in a drawer and forgotten about. By sending it our way, you’re putting that dormant money to work.
When you’re donating, it’s always smart to check the charity is legitimate. Verifying their official registration, like Spotlight Charity's 501c3 status, gives you peace of mind that your donation is going to a genuine non-profit.
Have Questions? We Have Answers
Deciding to sell leftover currency is a great first step, but it's natural to have a few questions before you send your money off. We get it. To give you complete peace of mind, here are the answers to the most common queries we receive.
Our aim is to make you feel confident and secure, from the moment your currency leaves your hands to the second you get paid. It's this commitment to transparency that has made us the go-to service for everyone from major supermarkets and airports to charities and even police forces.
Is It Really Safe to Post My Currency?
This is probably the most important question we get, and the answer is a resounding yes. Sending currency by post is a long-established and secure method, as long as you take the right precautions.
We always recommend using a tracked and insured service like Royal Mail Special Delivery. This gives you full protection, a clear delivery trail, and total peace of mind. Thousands of customers, including our corporate partners, trust this exact method to send us currency safely every single week.
What if I Have a Big Bag of Mixed Coins and Notes?
Perfect! That’s exactly what our service is built for. You do not need to sort a single thing. The real beauty of our system is its simplicity—just chuck it all in a bag.
If you have a big, jumbled collection of unsorted coins, just find the ‘Mixed Coins’ option on our online calculator and enter the total weight. We do all the tedious work of sorting, identifying, and counting every last coin for you. It’s hands-down the easiest way to exchange foreign coins and notes.
Your satisfaction is our top priority, which is why we offer a 100% happiness guarantee. If you're not completely happy with the final amount we offer, we will return your currency to you entirely free of charge. No risk, no hidden fees.
How Quickly Will I Get Paid?
We know you want your money fast. Our team prides itself on an efficient, streamlined process. Once we receive and verify your currency, we issue your payment within five working days.
You can choose to be paid directly into your bank account or via PayPal for extra convenience. It’s a quick, reliable turnaround you can count on.
Ready to finally clear out those drawers and turn forgotten holiday money into real cash? The process is fast, easy, and guaranteed.
Get your free, no-obligation quote from We Buy All Currency today and see just how much your leftover currency is really worth. Visit us at https://www.webuyallcurrency.com.