What to Do With Old Foreign Coins: 8 Best Ideas for 2025

Posted by: Ian • 21 Aug 2025

Every traveller has one: a jar, a box, or a forgotten corner of a drawer filled with a colourful mix of foreign coins and banknotes. It’s the leftover holiday money from past holidays, a tangible collection of memories that now sits idle. You might be wondering, "what can I possibly do with these old foreign coins?" Many assume they’re worthless, destined to be a permanent desk ornament. But what if that jumble of metal could be transformed into something valuable? Whether it's cash in your bank account, a meaningful donation to charity, or a unique creative project, your old currency holds untapped potential.

This guide explores eight practical and insightful options, moving beyond the obvious to provide you with actionable steps for each method. A key challenge many face is the sheer hassle of sorting through piles of unrecognisable coins. It’s tedious and often feels fruitless, as most banks and exchange bureaus in the UK won't accept foreign coins. We address this head-on, highlighting straightforward solutions that save you time and effort. From hassle-free services that do all the sorting for you to creative repurposing ideas, you'll discover the best way to handle your leftover foreign currency and unlock its hidden value easily.

1. The No-Sort Solution: Use a Specialist Online Exchange Service

For those wondering what to do with old foreign coins and notes cluttering up drawers, a specialist online exchange service offers the most straightforward and efficient solution. This method is specifically designed for convenience, completely removing the tedious task of sorting and identifying different currencies. It's a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to convert a jumbled collection of leftover foreign currency into real money.

Services like We Buy All Currency accept everything in one go: mixed foreign coins from various holidays, obsolete banknotes like old Deutsche Marks or Spanish Pesetas, and even pre-decimal British and Irish coins. The process is simple: you pack everything together without any need to sort it, send it off, and receive payment. This approach is perfect if you value your time and want a guaranteed return without the complexities of research or negotiation.

Why Choose a Specialist Exchange?

This option is ideal for individuals, businesses, and charities with a large, mixed bag of currency. Imagine turning years of accumulated travel money into a holiday fund, or a business converting currency donations into a significant charitable contribution. The service is trusted by major UK brands, including well-known charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, providing peace of mind and ensuring credibility.

Key Insight: The primary benefit is transforming a forgotten asset into usable cash with minimal effort. The 100% satisfaction guarantee removes any risk, making it a secure and reliable choice to exchange foreign coins and notes.

Actionable Tips for a Smooth Exchange

Get an Estimate: Use the service’s online calculator to get an instant valuation before you send your currency.
Package Securely: Use a sturdy envelope or box to prevent coins from being lost in transit.
Track Your Parcel: Always keep a record of the tracking number when you post your package for added security.
Donate Directly: Many services allow you to donate the proceeds directly to a partner charity, simplifying the process of giving.

2. Create Artistic Jewelry and Accessories

For those with a creative flair wondering what to do with old foreign coins, transforming them into unique pieces of jewellery offers a deeply personal and artistic solution. This method turns forgotten currency into wearable art, such as pendants, cufflinks, or bracelets, blending numismatic history with individual style. It’s an excellent way to preserve travel memories or honour your heritage, creating accessories that are both beautiful and meaningful conversation starters.

This craft is particularly popular among artisans on platforms like Etsy and within DIY communities, where the cultural and aesthetic value of coins is celebrated. By repurposing them, you give these coins a new lease of life, turning a small piece of a country’s identity into something you can wear and cherish every day.

Why Choose a Creative Approach?

This option is perfect for individuals who want to create a tangible connection to their travels or family history. Imagine crafting a charm bracelet with coins from every country you've visited or designing cufflinks from your grandfather's old currency for a wedding. This approach moves beyond monetary value, focusing instead on sentimental and artistic worth, making it a wonderful way to commemorate significant life events and personal journeys.

Key Insight: The main benefit is creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake that tells a story. This method transforms otherwise unused foreign coins into a cherished personal accessory with a unique historical and emotional significance.

Actionable Tips for Crafting Coin Jewellery

Select Common Coins: Use coins that are not rare or valuable to preserve collector’s items, focusing on their aesthetic appeal instead.
Protect the Finish: Apply a clear resin coating or use a bezel setting to protect the coin's delicate details from wear and tear.
Plan for Comfort: Consider the coin's weight, size, and thickness when designing your piece to ensure it is comfortable to wear.
Use Proper Tools: If you need to drill a hole, research the correct techniques for metalwork to avoid cracking or damaging the coin.

3. Educational Tool for Learning Geography and History

Instead of letting them gather dust, your old foreign coins can be transformed into a vibrant, hands-on learning experience. Using a collection of leftover currency is an engaging and effective way to teach children and adults about world geography, cultural history, and even economic principles. Each coin tells a story, making abstract concepts like national identity and historical timelines tangible and memorable.

This method is popularised by educators worldwide, from primary school teachers to museum curators, who use physical currency to bring lessons to life. Imagine a geography lesson where a student can hold a Japanese Yen while locating Japan on a map or a history class discussing the Roman Empire with an ancient coin as a focal point. It turns a simple collection into an interactive educational resource.

Why Use Coins for Education?

This approach is perfect for teachers, homeschooling parents, or anyone looking to create a unique and interactive learning module. It works exceptionally well in making subjects like geography and history more accessible and exciting for young learners. By connecting a physical object to a place, person, or event, you create a powerful memory aid that textbooks alone cannot replicate.

Key Insight: Foreign coins are miniature historical documents. They provide a direct, physical link to other cultures and time periods, transforming passive learning into an active exploration of the world.

Actionable Tips for an Educational Experience

Create a World Map: Pin each coin to its country of origin on a large world map to visually represent your collection's global reach.
Research Key Symbols: Investigate the figures, landmarks, and symbols featured on each coin to uncover stories about national pride and history.
Organise by Theme: Group coins by continent, historical era, or even by a theme like "animals in currency" to create focused mini-lessons.
Encourage Handling: Allow learners to touch and examine the coins. Discuss their weight, material, and design to engage multiple senses.

4. Craft Projects and Home Décor

For those with a creative flair wondering what to do with old foreign coins, transforming them into unique craft projects and home décor offers a wonderful personal touch. This approach allows you to celebrate the aesthetic beauty of different currencies, turning forgotten travel mementos into functional art or decorative pieces. It’s an imaginative way to preserve the stories behind your travels and showcase cultural interests.

From intricate mosaics to custom jewellery, your collection of leftover foreign currency can become a centrepiece in your home. This method turns coins from past holidays into tangible memories that you can display and appreciate daily, far better than leaving them forgotten in a drawer. It’s a rewarding project for anyone who enjoys DIY and upcycling.

Why Choose Crafting?

This option is perfect for individuals who want to create a personalised display of their travel history. Imagine a shadow box with coins from a honeymoon, arranged alongside photos and a map, or a tabletop with a mosaic of coins from a family backpacking trip. The possibilities, popularised by DIY communities on Pinterest and social media, are endless and allow you to repurpose currency with sentimental rather than monetary value.

Key Insight: The main benefit is creating a deeply personal and visually appealing item that tells a story. Each coin becomes a conversation starter, representing a unique memory or destination.

Actionable Tips for Creative Coin Projects

Plan Your Design: Before using any glue, arrange the coins to finalise your layout. Group them by colour, size, or country for a cohesive look.
Protect Your Coins: Apply a clear acrylic sealant or resin to prevent tarnishing, especially for items in humid areas like kitchens or bathrooms.
Consider the Weight: When creating hanging items like wind chimes or wall art, ensure your base materials and fixings can support the combined weight of the coins.
Document Their Origins: Keep a small journal or label on the back of your creation detailing where each coin is from, adding to its storytelling power.

5. Donation to Educational Institutions and Museums

For those with old foreign coins that carry historical or cultural significance, donating them to an educational institution or museum is an impactful choice. This philanthropic approach transforms your leftover currency from a simple keepsake into a valuable teaching tool. It ensures your coins reach an audience that will appreciate their story, contributing to historical research, cultural studies, or public exhibitions.

This method is perfect for collections that may have more educational than monetary value. Institutions like local history museums, university anthropology departments, and even primary schools often welcome such donations. For example, a school might use your old French Francs in a history lesson about pre-Euro Europe, or a children's museum could feature a variety of world currencies in an interactive geography exhibit. It’s a meaningful way to handle what to do with old foreign coins.

Why Choose an Educational Donation?

This option is best suited for individuals who want their collection to serve a greater purpose beyond simple cash conversion. If you have coins from a specific region or historical period, a targeted donation can provide immense value. A university numismatics programme or a cultural centre like the Smithsonian Institution can use these items to enrich their collections and support academic research, preserving a piece of world history for future generations.

Key Insight: Donating foreign coins allows you to support education and cultural preservation directly. Your contribution can spark curiosity and learning in students and researchers, giving your collection a lasting legacy.

Actionable Tips for a Smooth Donation

Contact Institutions First: Before sending anything, always contact the school, museum, or university to confirm they are interested and can accept your specific coins.
Provide Documentation: If you have any information about the coins' origins or history, include it with your donation to increase their educational value.
Request a Receipt: For your records and potential tax benefits, ask for a formal acknowledgement or receipt for your donation.
Align with Their Mission: Research the institution's focus to ensure your coins are a good fit. Donating a collection of Asian coins to a centre for Asian studies, for instance, would be highly effective. You can find more details on where to donate foreign coins on webuyallcurrency.com.

6. Online Marketplace Sales

For those with potentially rare or collectible foreign coins, leveraging online marketplaces offers a direct route to a global audience of enthusiasts. This approach allows you to sell your currency to collectors and dealers on platforms like eBay, Etsy, or specialised numismatic sites. It gives you complete control over pricing, presentation, and the sales process, potentially maximising your return if you have valuable items.

Platforms such as eBay host thriving numismatic communities where auctions for rare foreign coins can achieve impressive prices. Similarly, Etsy is an excellent venue for shops specialising in vintage world currency, appealing to buyers looking for unique items. For more serious collectors, specialised websites like CoinZip or VCoins provide access to a knowledgeable market. This method is best for individuals who enjoy research and are willing to manage the sales process from start to finish.

Why Choose an Online Marketplace?

This option is perfect for sellers who suspect their foreign coins have numismatic value beyond their face or metal value. If you have coins that are particularly old, from a rare mintage, or in pristine condition, a marketplace connects you with buyers willing to pay a premium. It’s an engaging way to learn more about your collection while aiming for the highest possible profit on individual pieces.

Key Insight: Selling on marketplaces empowers you to set your own prices and reach a worldwide network of collectors. However, it requires significant time for research, listing, and management, making it less suitable for bulk, low-value currency.

Actionable Tips for a Smooth Sale

Research Pricing: Look at recently completed sales on platforms like eBay to establish a realistic price for your coins.
Provide Quality Photos: Use high-resolution, detailed photographs showing both sides of the coin and any unique features or flaws.
Write Honest Descriptions: Be accurate about the coin’s condition, origin, and any known history. Transparency builds trust.
Offer Secure Shipping: Use tracked and insured postage to protect both yourself and the buyer from loss or damage in transit.
Compare Your Options: While marketplaces are great for collectibles, for a mixed bag of everyday travel money, exploring a simple online currency exchange service is often more efficient.

7. Travel Memory Preservation

For those who view their leftover currency as more than just money, transforming old foreign coins into treasured keepsakes is a deeply personal and rewarding option. This approach treats each coin as a tangible artifact of your travels, a miniature monument to a specific time, place, and experience. Instead of exchanging them, you can creatively preserve them as part of a larger travel narrative.

This method moves beyond simple collection and into the realm of storytelling. By organising coins from your journeys, you create a physical and visual record of your adventures. Imagine a shadow box displaying a Japanese Yen coin next to a ticket from the Shinkansen, or a scrapbook where a Brazilian Real sits alongside a photo from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. It’s a wonderful way to give that leftover foreign currency a new, sentimental purpose.

Why Choose to Preserve Your Coins?

This is the perfect choice for sentimental travellers, creative individuals, and anyone looking to document their life's adventures in a unique way. It's an excellent family project, allowing you to share stories behind each trip with younger generations and build a tangible family history. Creating a travel journal or display turns what might be a forgotten handful of shrapnel into a centrepiece of memories and conversation.

Key Insight: This method transforms low-value or non-exchangeable coins into priceless personal artifacts. It shifts the focus from monetary worth to sentimental value, ensuring your travel memories remain vivid and accessible for years to come.

Actionable Tips for Creative Preservation

Create a Travel Shadow Box: Arrange coins with maps, ticket stubs, and small souvenirs from a specific trip inside a deep frame for a beautiful wall display.
Design a Coin Journal: Integrate coins directly onto the pages of a travel journal or scrapbook, writing notes about where and when you acquired them.
Use Acid-Free Holders: To prevent tarnishing and preserve the condition of the coins, store them in archival-quality, acid-free plastic holders or albums.
Organise by Journey: Group your coins chronologically by trip rather than by country. This helps to tell a linear story of your travels and makes reminiscing easier.

8. Currency Exchange at Banks

For those wondering what to do with old foreign coins, approaching a high-street bank or credit union seems like a logical first step. While many institutions have scaled back on exchanging foreign coins to focus on banknotes, some still offer this service, especially for major currencies like Euros or US Dollars. This method involves taking your leftover currency to a physical branch to convert it back into pounds sterling.

This approach is best suited for modern, recognisable coins from major economies. For example, a high-street bank might be willing to exchange a bag of recent Euro coins, but they are unlikely to accept obsolete currencies or a mixed, unsorted collection from various countries. It's a more traditional route that works well if you have a significant amount of a single, currently circulated currency.

Why Choose a Bank Exchange?

This option is often considered by individuals who value face-to-face transactions and prefer dealing with their own banking institution. If you have a large quantity of a single, major currency, like a jar full of Euro coins from frequent business trips, your bank may be able to help. It provides a sense of security, as you are dealing with a familiar and established financial institution.

Key Insight: Banks are most effective for exchanging large, single-currency batches of modern coins. However, the process can be restrictive, as many banks no longer accept coins or have strict policies on which currencies they handle.

Actionable Tips for a Smooth Exchange

Call Ahead: Always phone your local branch first to confirm if they exchange foreign coins and what their specific requirements are.
Focus on Major Currencies: Banks are more likely to accept popular, current coins. For mixed or obsolete coins, a specialist service is far more efficient. To understand the benefits of a specialist for specific currencies, you can learn more about exchanging Euro coins.
Bring Identification: Be prepared to show a valid ID, especially if you are not a customer of that particular bank.
Sort Your Coins: While specialist services remove this hassle, banks will almost certainly require you to sort coins by currency and denomination beforehand.

8 Ways to Repurpose Old Foreign Coins Compared

Method	Implementation Complexity 🔄	Resource Requirements 📊	Expected Outcomes ⭐	Ideal Use Cases 💡	Key Advantages ⚡
Specialist Online Exchange Service	Very Low – just pack and send	Low – minimal time, no sorting	Fast, guaranteed cash payment	Converting mixed, unsorted foreign coins and notes	Hassle-free, no sorting, trusted, and 100% guaranteed
Artistic Jewelry and Accessories	High – requires jewelry skills or professionals	High – tools, skills, possible outsourcing	Unique personalized accessories	Crafting wearable art from coins	Combines history with fashion; preserves sentimental value
Educational Tool for Learning Geography	Medium – organizing, researching context	Low to Moderate – coins plus educational materials	Enhanced learning and cultural understanding	Teaching geography, history, and economics	Hands-on, multi-sensory learning; sparks curiosity
Craft Projects and Home Décor	Medium to High – crafting skills and planning	Moderate – craft supplies and workspace	Decorative, personalized home décor	Upcycling coins into artistic displays	Creative expression; preserves travel memories
Donation to Charities and Institutions	Low – contacting institutions and donating	Low – documentation and transport	Cultural/charitable contribution	Supporting causes, education, or cultural heritage	Tax benefits; legacy contribution; easy giving
Online Marketplace Sales	Medium – listing, communication, shipping	Moderate – time investment, shipping materials	Market-driven sales, possible market prices	Selling to global collectors and dealers	Broad market reach; pricing control
Travel Memory Preservation	Low to Medium – organizing and documenting	Low – storage materials and record keeping	Sentimental archiving and storytelling	Personal travel memorabilia collection	Preserves memories; creates personal legacy
Currency Exchange at Banks	Low – but with many restrictions	Low – sorted coins and ID	Immediate but limited currency conversion	Converting recent, single-currency coins quickly	Safe, regulated, immediate cash conversion for major currencies

The Easiest Way to Convert Your Old Currency into Cash

After exploring the many creative, charitable, and practical avenues for your leftover foreign currency, it's clear there is hidden value sitting in jars and drawers across the country. We’ve covered everything from selling to discerning collectors and crafting unique home décor to preserving travel memories and donating to worthy causes. Each of these options provides a fantastic way to give old coins a new lease on life, turning forgotten shrapnel into something meaningful or beautiful.

However, while these methods are rewarding, they often require significant investments of time, effort, and specialised knowledge. Identifying, sorting, and finding the right channel for each coin can be a painstaking process. For most individuals, charities, and businesses, the primary goal is not to become a numismatist or an artist, but to efficiently convert a jumble of international coins and banknotes into usable funds. This is where a simple, professional, and guaranteed solution becomes invaluable when deciding what to do with old foreign coins.

The Hassle-Free Path to Real Value

The most significant barrier for most people is the daunting task of sorting through a mixed bag of currency. Distinguishing a Polish złoty from a Thai baht or determining if a French franc is still exchangeable is a challenge. This is precisely why a dedicated exchange service that eliminates this step is the superior choice for convenience and efficiency. You shouldn't have to spend hours researching and organising your collection just to unlock its value.

This is where our service shines. We have designed a process that is deliberately fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. We remove the burden of sorting, allowing you to simply gather all your coins and notes—including leftover holiday money and obsolete currency—and send them to us. Our expertise handles the rest. This streamlined approach is trusted by some of the UK’s largest organisations, including major charities, airports, police forces, and national supermarkets, who rely on us to professionally manage their foreign currency collections.

Our commitment is built on trust and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We provide a transparent valuation, and if for any reason you're not completely happy with our offer, we will return your currency to you at no cost. Your forgotten holiday money, the contents of a charity collection tin, or the old foreign notes found in an attic can be transformed into tangible cash with minimal effort. Stop letting that collection of old foreign coins take up space and start putting its value to good use.

Ready to finally exchange foreign coins and notes without the hassle? At We Buy All Currency, we turn your leftover travel money and obsolete currency into cash quickly and easily. Visit our website to see how our simple, guaranteed service can work for you. We Buy All Currency.