A Guide to Selling Unused Currency for Cash
Posted by: Ian • 15 Sep 2025
Got a drawer, tin, or jar overflowing with leftover foreign coins and notes from your travels? You’re not alone. It’s amazing how quickly that jumble of forgotten currency builds up after a few trips, but turning it back into cash is easier than you think.
This guide will walk you through the simplest, fastest, and most hassle-free way to turn that clutter back into cash.
Your Guide to Selling Unused Currency The Easy Way
Forget spending hours trying to sort through a mess of jumbled coins or wondering if those old banknotes in the back of the drawer are even still valid. We've designed a modern, hassle-free solution that is fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed. It's built on a foundation of trust and simplicity, so you can feel confident you’re getting a fair deal for your leftover money.
Why Choose a Specialised Service?
Using a dedicated online exchange service has big advantages over old-school methods like trekking to a bank or airport kiosk. Convenience is key, but it also means you can finally get value from currency that would otherwise be worthless.
Here’s why it just makes sense:
- No Sorting Required: Just grab all your foreign coins and banknotes, mix them all together, and send them in. Our service is completely hassle-free—we handle the entire sorting and counting process for you.
- Obsolete Currency Accepted: Found some old European money from before the Euro? No problem. We can exchange foreign coins and notes that are no longer in circulation, like old French Francs and German Marks.
- A 100% Guaranteed Process: Our service is designed to be fast, easy, and fully guaranteed, giving you complete peace of mind from the moment you send your currency to us.
We are a trusted partner for major UK organisations, including well-known charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, who rely on our credibility and efficiency to handle their foreign currency needs.
This guide provides practical tips and real-world insights to make selling your leftover foreign currency a seamless and surprisingly profitable experience.
What's Hiding in Your Leftover Holiday Money?
Chances are, you've got a jar somewhere, collecting dust and filled with a random assortment of foreign coins and notes from past holidays. Most of us just tuck this leftover foreign currency away and forget all about it, but it could be worth a lot more than you realise.
In fact, new research shows that British holidaymakers are sitting on a staggering £2.7 billion in unused foreign currency every single year. It’s an easy trap to fall into. When you get back home, the last thing you want to do is deal with leftover shrapnel.
The problem is, what can you do? Your local high street bank will likely refuse to exchange any foreign coins, and those airport kiosks are notorious for offering terrible buy-back rates on notes. It’s no wonder so many people feel like their leftover cash is basically worthless.
From Obsolete Coins to Cold, Hard Cash
This is exactly where a specialist service for selling unused currency comes in. Unlike the banks, we see the potential in every single coin and banknote, no matter how old it is or where it’s from.
This includes things like:
- Mixed Foreign Coins: Don’t waste your time trying to sort them. Just bag them all up and send them over.
- Leftover Foreign Banknotes: We take them all, whether they’re still in circulation or older versions.
- Old and Obsolete Currency: This is a big one. We can convert foreign coins and banknotes that are no longer in circulation. Think old German Marks, Spanish Pesetas, or French Francs from before the Euro. Most places will turn these away, but we can turn them into cash for you.
We offer a fast, easy, and completely hassle-free way to exchange foreign coins and notes. You can finally unlock the hidden value in that pile of what you thought was just useless metal. Plus, our 100% guarantee means you know you’re getting a fair and transparent valuation every time.
A lot of people also choose to donate foreign coins to charity, turning old travel memories into something that makes a real difference. We’re trusted by major UK charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces to handle their found and donated currency because they know our process is credible and reliable.
If you want to dig a bit deeper into what you can do, you might find our guide on what to do with leftover holiday money really helpful.
How to Exchange Foreign Coins and Notes Securely
Ready to turn that jar of leftover foreign cash into something useful? Fantastic. The whole process is refreshingly straightforward and secure. We’ve designed our service to be completely hassle-free, so you can forget about the tedious job of sorting through mountains of coins and old notes.
First things first, just gather it all up. Don't waste time separating different currencies or trying to figure out which coins are which. Simply put everything you’ve got—coins, notes, old and new—into one pile. It's fast and easy.
Preparing Your Currency for Sending
Once you've got your collection together, the next step is getting it packaged up securely. If you’ve got a heavy pile, especially with a lot of shrapnel, a sturdy cardboard box is your best friend.
Here are a few practical tips:
- Use a strong container: A solid box or a well-padded jiffy bag is perfect. It'll keep everything protected while it's in transit.
- Seal it up properly: Grab some strong packing tape and make sure every opening is securely sealed. You don't want anything spilling out on the journey.
- Pop your details inside: Just jot down your name and reference number on a piece of paper and tuck it inside the package. That way, we know it's yours the second it lands on our desk.
This simple approach means you spend less time organising and more time thinking about what you’ll do with the cash. For a bit more detail, our guide on how to exchange foreign currency breaks down every little step.
Sending Your Parcel with Confidence
With your currency all packed up, you’re ready to send it to us using whichever postal service you prefer. We always recommend using a tracked or signed-for service. It just gives you that extra peace of mind, letting you follow your parcel’s journey right to our door.
As soon as it arrives, our expert team takes over. We handle all the sorting, counting, and valuation for you. This is a core part of our 100% guarantee—we promise a transparent and fair valuation for every single coin and note you send.
Your trust is our top priority. From the moment your parcel is sent to the final payment, every stage is handled with professional care. We provide a swift, reliable valuation, giving you complete confidence in our fast and easy process.
The entire system is built around making your life easier. There are no hidden fees or complicated sums—just a clear, straightforward path to converting that leftover holiday money into spendable cash. Whether you want to exchange foreign coins you’ve had for years or banknotes from a trip last month, the process is always the same: simple, secure, and guaranteed.
Why Trust Is Essential When Converting Foreign Currency
When you're looking to sell unused currency, especially a collection you’ve gathered over years, you need absolute confidence that your money is in safe hands. It’s not just about getting a decent exchange rate; it’s about trust.
Let's be honest, the currency exchange world can have pitfalls, from hidden fees to confusing processes. A trustworthy service is always upfront and transparent. You should never have to wonder what's happening with your money.
Our Reputation Is Built on Reliability
We know that trust isn't just given—it's earned. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to be the go-to partner for some of the UK’s most respected organisations. They choose us for our integrity and efficiency.
We’re trusted by:
- Major UK Charities: To handle their foreign coin donations and maximise their value.
- Leading Supermarkets and Airports: For managing all the leftover currency collected in-store and at terminals.
- Police Forces: To process found or seized foreign currency with complete accountability and transparency.
These partnerships with major brands speak for themselves. Organisations like these have sky-high standards for security, and they rely on our fast, easy, and hassle-free service to handle their currency needs professionally.
When you choose to exchange foreign coins and notes with us, you're more than just a customer; you're a partner. Our 100% guarantee ensures you get a fair, transparent valuation every single time, giving you complete peace of mind from the moment you send us your currency.
Opting for a service with a proven track record of credibility takes all the guesswork out of the process, making the decision to finally cash in on that old holiday money an easy and secure one.
Practical Tips For Maximising Your Return
If you want to get the most cash back for your unused currency, a few helpful tips can make a surprising difference. A little smart preparation will guarantee a smoother, more profitable experience, finally turning that forgotten stash into a welcome payment.
A simple but effective strategy is to bundle currency from several trips into a single package. Got some leftover Euros from a city break in Spain and a few US dollars from a family holiday? Pop them in the same envelope. This is far more efficient and instantly saves you money on postage.
Avoid Common Currency Exchange Mistakes
Many people make costly mistakes when they try to offload leftover foreign currency. High street banks will almost always refuse to even look at foreign coins, and those airport kiosks are notorious for offering terrible buy-back rates on banknotes, which really eats into your return.
Not all exchange services are created equal, especially when it comes to fees and what they'll accept. Here's some helpful advice to ensure you get the best deal.
Comparing Currency Exchange Options
| Exchange Method | Accepts Coins? | Accepts Obsolete Currency? | Convenience Level | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialised Online Service | Yes | Yes | High (Post from home) | Excellent |
| Airport Kiosk | No | No | High (At the airport) | Poor |
| High Street Bank | Rarely | No | Medium (In-person visit) | Fair to Poor |
| Peer-to-Peer Platform | Yes | No | Low (Requires finding a buyer) | Variable |
As you can see, a specialised service is often the only route that ticks all the boxes, especially for converting old currency and coins.
This chart also gives you a clearer picture of how different options stack up on fees and overall value.
The data really highlights how specialist services deliver much better value by sidestepping the high fees you'll find elsewhere.
Another huge advantage is the ability to convert foreign coins and banknotes that are now obsolete. Don't just throw out old pre-euro currency like Spanish Pesetas or German Marks assuming they’re worthless. A specialist can still exchange them, unlocking cash you probably thought was long gone. Our detailed guide on coin conversion to cash explains this in more detail.
The goal is to find a service that is fast, easy, and guaranteed. Steer clear of any process that makes you sort the coins yourself or won’t accept obsolete currency—it’s a clear sign you won’t be getting the best deal.
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Got Questions About Exchanging Your Currency? We've Got Answers
If you're thinking about sending us your leftover travel money, you probably have a few questions. Here are the answers to the most common queries we see, based on our real-world insights.
Do I Really Just Shove Everything in a Bag and Send It?
Honestly? Yes, it’s that simple. Forget spending hours sorting coins and notes. Our entire service is designed to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free.
There’s absolutely no need to sort coins or separate your Euros from your Dollars. Just gather everything up, pop it into a secure package, and send it our way. Our team are experts at sorting, counting, and valuing mixed currency, so you don't have to be.
What About That Old Currency I Found?
That drawer full of old Spanish Pesetas, German Marks, or French Francs isn't worthless! This is actually one of our specialities. We can convert foreign coins and banknotes that have long been taken out of circulation.
Try taking those to a high street bank and you’ll almost certainly be turned away. But we have the right channels to exchange this demonetised money, unlocking value from currency that most people assume is just a souvenir. It's a key part of our helpful advice for getting the most from your old money.
Our process is 100% guaranteed. That’s not just a promise; it’s why we’re trusted by major brands like charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. They rely on our credibility, and so can you.
Can I Donate My Leftover Coins to Charity?
Absolutely. Turning your leftover holiday shrapnel into a meaningful contribution is a fantastic way to make a difference, and we've made the process incredibly simple.
When you send us your currency, just let us know which of our trusted charity partners you'd like the funds to go to. We handle everything from there, making sure your donation gets to the cause you care about. It's a hassle-free way to donate foreign coins to charity.
Ready to finally clear out that drawer of old travel money? We Buy All Currency offers a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed way to exchange all your foreign coins and notes. Our service is hassle-free with no need to sort coins, trusted by major brands, and designed to get you the best value. Get started on our homepage today and turn that clutter into cash.