Where Can I Donate Foreign Coins? 7 Fast & Easy Options for 2025
Posted by: Ian • 1 Aug 2025
If you have ever returned from a holiday with a pocketful of strange coins and notes, you are not alone. That leftover foreign currency often ends up forgotten in a drawer or a jar, seemingly useless. But what if that spare change could be transformed into something valuable for a good cause? You might be asking yourself, "Where can I donate foreign coins easily and effectively?"
This guide is your definitive answer. We have compiled a comprehensive list of the top UK-based charities and specialist services that make donating your leftover currency simple, secure, and impactful. Forget the hassle of sorting through piles of unfamiliar money. The options we will explore offer a fast, easy, and hassle-free process to convert foreign coins and banknotes, including old, obsolete, and pre-euro currency, directly into charitable contributions. Our service is 100% guaranteed and trusted by major brands, including leading charities, supermarkets, airports, and police forces.
Each entry provides a clear overview of the organisation, direct links to their donation pages, and practical, real-world insights on how to exchange foreign coins, leftover holiday money, and old or obsolete currency. Let's unlock the hidden potential in your leftover travel money.
1. We Buy All Currency
Best for: Comprehensive currency conversion and charitable giving.
For those wondering where can i donate foreign coins with maximum impact and minimal fuss, We Buy All Currency presents a robust and highly trusted online solution. This platform distinguishes itself by offering a fast, easy, and secure way to convert not just modern leftover foreign currency but also a vast array of obsolete, withdrawn, and pre-euro coins and banknotes from across the globe. This makes it an exceptionally versatile choice for individuals with a mixed bag of old holiday money or charities that receive diverse currency donations.
The process is designed for ultimate convenience. You simply pack your unsorted currency, send it via post, and receive payment or a charitable donation receipt. Trusted by major UK brands, charities, airports, and even police forces, the service's credibility is well-established, offering peace of mind throughout the transaction. Our service is fast, easy, hassle-free, and 100% guaranteed.
Standout Features & Practical Benefits
What makes We Buy All Currency a premier choice is its unique combination of inclusivity and efficiency. Unlike many services that only accept current, high-value currencies, this platform accepts almost everything, including old British and Irish pre-decimal coins. This eliminates the need to sort or vet your collection beforehand, saving you significant time and effort. There is no need to sort your coins!
A key differentiator is the weight-based exchange wizard. This helpful tool is perfect for large, mixed collections of low-value coins. Instead of counting every piece, you can get an estimate based on weight, streamlining the process for charities or individuals with substantial amounts of shrapnel. You can explore how to unlock the value of your leftover foreign coins and see how this feature simplifies the entire exchange.
Turning Leftover Coins into Meaningful Donations
The platform's charitable donation option is a powerful feature. You can choose to have the full value of your currency sent directly to one of their partnered UK charities. This provides a direct and transparent way to donate foreign coins to charity, ensuring your leftover travel money supports a good cause.
- Fast Turnaround: Payments and donations are processed within five working days of receipt.
- Transparent Rates: Exchange rates are clearly displayed, so you know the value upfront with no hidden fees.
- Happiness Guarantee: If you are not satisfied with the final valuation, your currency is returned to you free of charge, a testament to our confident and fair pricing.
This service is an outstanding, hassle-free option for converting every last bit of foreign currency into cash or a charitable gift, making it a top contender for anyone looking to exchange foreign coins and notes.
Website: https://www.webuyallcurrency.com
2. Oxfam GB
For those wondering where to donate foreign coins in the UK, Oxfam GB offers one of the most convenient and impactful options available. Through a well-organised partnership with currency exchange specialist Cash4Coins, Oxfam transforms your leftover holiday money into vital funds for its global projects aimed at alleviating poverty. This collaboration ensures a fast, easy, and hassle-free process, making your contribution count without any complex sorting or counting on your part.
Oxfam’s extensive network of high street charity shops provides a nationwide footprint, making it incredibly simple to drop off your donation in person. This widespread availability is a key reason it stands out as a top choice for charitable giving.
How to Donate Your Foreign Currency
Oxfam and Cash4Coins provide several straightforward methods, ensuring you can choose the one that works best for you. There is no need to sort your currency; simply gather it together.
- In-Store Drop-Off: The easiest method for many is to simply take your collection of foreign coins and banknotes to any Oxfam shop in the UK. Hand them to a staff member or volunteer, and they will ensure it gets processed.
- Freepost Service: If you don't live near a branch, you can mail your currency directly to Cash4Coins using their freepost service. This is a 100% guaranteed and secure way to donate from anywhere in the UK at no cost to you.
- Postal Donation: You can also send your currency via standard post directly to Oxfam’s partner.
This streamlined system is trusted by major organisations and demonstrates a credible, efficient way to convert foreign coins and banknotes into meaningful support for a good cause. You can discover more about how Cash4Coins supports charitable fundraising efforts.
Key Features and Considerations
Oxfam accepts an impressively wide range of currency, including all foreign coins and notes regardless of age or condition. This even includes old, pre-decimal UK currency and obsolete Irish punts.
Pros:
- Convenient donation points across the UK.
- Supports a highly reputable international charity.
- Accepts virtually all types of foreign and obsolete currency.
Cons:
- Due to the nature of the bulk collection and processing, Oxfam cannot provide individual acknowledgements for foreign currency donations.
3. Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
For those searching where to donate foreign coins with a specific focus on supporting a vital UK health and social cause, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is an excellent choice. RNIB channels the value from your surplus foreign and old British currency directly into providing essential services for blind and partially sighted individuals across the country. Their programme is designed to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free, turning your forgotten travel money into tangible support.
The charity's commitment to making the donation process simple is a key reason it stands out. By offering free collection materials and covering postage costs, RNIB removes any barriers, ensuring your desire to help is met with a convenient and well-organised system.
How to Donate Your Foreign Currency
RNIB provides a streamlined and supportive donation process, making it incredibly straightforward to contribute. There is no requirement to sort or count your currency; simply gather it all together.
- Request a Collection Box: You can order a free collection box from RNIB to gather your currency. This is ideal for homes, offices, or community groups wanting to collect coins and notes over time.
- Post Your Donation: Once you have your collection, RNIB covers the postage. You simply need to contact them to arrange for your donation to be sent in, making it a secure and 100% guaranteed way to donate from anywhere in the UK at no cost to you.
This trusted process ensures that you can easily convert foreign coins and banknotes into funding for crucial services, from emotional support helplines to practical advice on living with sight loss.
Key Features and Considerations
RNIB accepts a broad spectrum of currency, making it a flexible option for many donors. This includes all foreign coins and banknotes, as well as old, out-of-circulation British currency. They also accept currency from territories such as Gibraltar, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
Pros:
- A simple and completely free donation process for donors.
- Supports a highly focused and reputable UK-based cause.
- Accepts a wide variety of foreign and obsolete UK currency.
Cons:
- Does not accept non-currency items like gaming tokens or transportation tokens.
4. The Air Ambulance Service
If you are looking for where to donate foreign coins and want your contribution to support a critical frontline emergency service, The Air Ambulance Service is an excellent choice. This charity transforms your leftover holiday money into vital funding for its life-saving helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). Through a trusted partnership with currency specialist Cash4Coins, every donation is processed efficiently, turning forgotten currency into funds that keep their operations flying.
The process is designed to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. There is no requirement for you to sort or count your currency, making it one of the simplest ways to donate foreign coins to charity. Your contribution directly supports a service that delivers emergency medical care to those in need, offering a tangible and impactful outcome for your donation.
How to Donate Your Foreign Currency
The Air Ambulance Service provides several straightforward methods for donating your collection of foreign coins and banknotes, ensuring a convenient experience for every supporter.
- In-Store Drop-Off: You can visit one of The Air Ambulance Service's charity shops to drop off your currency in person. Simply hand your collection to a member of staff.
- Freepost Service: For those unable to visit a store, you can mail your currency directly to their partner, Cash4Coins, using a freepost service. This is a 100% guaranteed and secure method to donate from anywhere in the UK without incurring any postage costs.
This streamlined system allows you to easily convert foreign coins and banknotes into life-saving funds. You can find out more about the currency conversion process and see how Cash4Coins works with charities.
Key Features and Considerations
The Air Ambulance Service accepts all foreign coins and notes, including obsolete pre-Euro currency and old British and Irish money. This broad acceptance policy ensures every piece of currency you've collected can be put to good use.
Pros:
- Directly funds critical emergency medical services.
- Simple and accessible donation methods, including freepost.
- Accepts all types of foreign and obsolete currency.
Cons:
- Due to the bulk processing of donations, the charity cannot provide individual acknowledgements for foreign currency contributions.
Donate to The Air Ambulance Service
5. Breast Cancer Now
For those looking to donate foreign coins to charity while supporting a vital health cause, Breast Cancer Now offers a direct and meaningful route. In a trusted partnership with currency exchange experts Cash4Coins, the charity converts your leftover holiday money into crucial funding for world-class research and life-changing support for anyone affected by breast cancer. This collaboration ensures a fast, easy, and hassle-free process, allowing your donation to make a difference without any need for sorting or counting.
The simplicity of their donation system makes Breast Cancer Now an excellent choice for anyone wondering where can I donate foreign coins. By transforming otherwise unusable currency into tangible support, you can help fund groundbreaking research and essential care services across the UK.
How to Donate Your Foreign Currency
Breast Cancer Now and Cash4Coins have streamlined the donation process, making it incredibly straightforward to contribute. There's no need to separate your currency; simply collect all your foreign coins and banknotes together, and they will handle the rest. This 100% guaranteed and secure system is trusted by major organisations and ensures your contribution is processed efficiently.
- Freepost Service: The primary method is to use their freepost service. You can request a freepost envelope or download a label from their website, allowing you to send your currency from anywhere in the UK at no cost. This is a secure and convenient way to convert foreign coins and banknotes into a valuable charitable donation.
The process is designed to be as simple as possible, ensuring that every bit of leftover currency can be put to good use fighting breast cancer.
Key Features and Considerations
Breast Cancer Now accepts a comprehensive range of currency. This includes all foreign coins and banknotes, regardless of their age or origin. They also accept old, pre-decimal British currency, making it easy to clear out any old money you might have.
Pros:
- Supports a highly reputable and impactful health charity.
- A simple, cost-free, and hassle-free donation process via freepost.
- Accepts virtually any type of foreign or obsolete currency.
Cons:
- Due to the bulk processing of donations, the charity cannot offer individual acknowledgements for foreign currency contributions.
6. Mary's Meals UK
For those who want their donation to have a direct and tangible impact, Mary's Meals UK presents a powerful option for where to donate foreign coins. This remarkable charity focuses on a simple yet life-changing mission: providing chronically hungry children with one daily meal in a place of education. By converting your leftover holiday money, they turn small change into school meals, which not only alleviates hunger but also encourages children to attend school and gain an education that can lift them out of poverty.
The charity's unique approach encourages community involvement, making it an excellent choice for schools, workplaces, or community groups looking to organise a collection. This collaborative spirit makes the process of donating foreign coins a shared, rewarding experience.
How to Donate Your Foreign Currency
Mary's Meals makes it incredibly simple to convert foreign coins and banknotes into vital meals, with no sorting or counting required on your part. Their process is fast, hassle-free, and designed to maximise the value of every donation.
- Request Collection Materials: The charity provides dedicated collection envelopes and boxes, which are perfect for gathering donations at your office, school, church, or club. This makes organising a group fundraising effort straightforward and engaging.
- Postal Donation: Once you have gathered your currency, you can mail it directly to Mary's Meals UK. The collection process is secure and ensures your contribution safely reaches them to be processed and turned into funding for their school feeding programmes.
This trusted system is an efficient and credible way to support a great cause, allowing you to easily exchange foreign coins and notes for something truly meaningful. The charity's transparency ensures you know exactly how your contribution is making a difference.
Key Features and Considerations
Mary's Meals accepts all types of foreign currency, both coins and notes, as well as old, out-of-circulation British money. This all-inclusive policy means no donation is too small or obscure to contribute to their mission.
Pros:
- Donations directly fund meals for children in need, offering a clear and tangible impact.
- Excellent for group collections, with materials provided to engage communities.
- Accepts a very wide range of foreign and obsolete UK currency.
Cons:
- Best suited for group collections, which may be less convenient for individuals wanting to make a small, one-off donation.
7. Kidney care UK
For those wanting to support a specific health-focused cause, Kidney Care UK presents a fantastic option for where to donate foreign coins. This leading UK charity directs funds towards improving the lives of kidney patients and their families. They have established a simple and efficient system for converting your unwanted foreign currency into vital financial support, ensuring your contribution makes a real difference.
The process is designed to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free, removing any need for you to sort or count your collection beforehand. This makes it an incredibly convenient way to exchange foreign coins and notes for a charitable purpose, knowing your donation is handled professionally and efficiently.
How to Donate Your Foreign Currency
Kidney Care UK offers flexible methods to ensure donating your leftover holiday money is straightforward. Whether you have a small handful of coins or a larger collection, the process is accessible from anywhere in the UK.
- Postal Donation: You can send your currency directly via post. Simply package your coins and banknotes securely and mail them to the charity's processing partner. This is a 100% guaranteed and secure method.
- Courier Collection: For larger or heavier donations, Kidney Care UK can arrange for a courier to collect the currency directly from your home or office, offering a high level of convenience.
This trusted system allows you to convert foreign coins and banknotes, including obsolete currencies, into meaningful aid for those affected by kidney disease. It's a credible and impactful way to clear out your travel money while supporting a great cause.
Key Features and Considerations
Kidney Care UK accepts a broad range of currency, welcoming all foreign coins and banknotes as well as old British currency, both decimal and pre-decimal. This inclusive approach ensures that almost any leftover currency you have can be put to good use.
Pros:
- Flexible donation methods, including a convenient courier service.
- Directly supports a dedicated UK health charity.
- Accepts a wide variety of foreign and old UK currency.
Cons:
- Courier collection is ideal for larger amounts but may require some coordination to schedule a pickup.
7 Charity Options for Donating Foreign Coins
| Item | Implementation Complexity 🔄 | Resource Requirements 💡 | Expected Outcomes 📊 | Ideal Use Cases 💡 | Key Advantages ⭐ / ⚡ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| We Buy All Currency | Moderate: postal sending & verification | Requires postal packaging and expert verification | Quick payment (within 5 working days) or charitable donation | Individuals with mixed/unsorted currency collections | ⭐ Accepts all currency types including obsolete ⚡ Fast payments ⭐ Weight-based wizard simplifies exchange 📊 Transparent rates, no hidden fees |
| Oxfam GB | Low: multiple donation methods including drop-off | Minimal; drop-off or postal donation | Charity fundraising for global poverty alleviation | Donors seeking convenient drop-off or postal options | ⚡ Nationwide drop-off convenience 📊 Supports large international charity |
| RNIB | Low: free collection boxes & postage | Minimal; free boxes and prepaid postage | Funds services for visually impaired UK individuals | Donors targeting health/social cause related to blindness | ⚡ Easy donation process ⭐ Free postage and collection boxes |
| The Air Ambulance Service | Low: in-store or freepost donation | Minimal; postal or store drop-off | Emergency medical funding via currency donations | Donors wanting to support emergency services | 📊 Direct impact on emergency medical services ⚡ Simple donation methods |
| Breast Cancer Now | Low: freepost service for donations | Minimal; freepost only | Breast cancer research and patient support funding | Donors supporting health research | ⚡ Hassle-free donation ⭐ Supports impactful health cause |
| Mary's Meals UK | Moderate: group collections & materials provided | Requires organizing group collections | Meals for hungry children worldwide | Organizations or groups wanting collective charity drives | ⭐ Community engagement 📊 Transparent donation impact |
| Kidney Care UK | Moderate: postal and courier collection | Requires coordination for courier or postal donations | Support and care for kidney patients | Donors needing flexible donation methods | ⭐ Flexible methods including courier 📊 Health-focused donations |
Ready to Exchange Your Foreign Coins and Notes?
Your journey through this guide has illuminated the vast potential locked away in that jar of leftover currency. From supporting sight-saving initiatives with the RNIB to funding life-saving air ambulances, the options for where to donate foreign coins are both meaningful and varied. We've explored how major UK charities like Oxfam, Breast Cancer Now, and Kidney Care UK have established programmes to turn your spare change into significant, life-changing funds.
The key takeaway is that your leftover foreign currency, obsolete notes, and assorted foreign coins don't have to be a forgotten souvenir. They represent a tangible resource that can be put to incredible use. Each organisation we've covered provides a vital service, powered in part by the generosity of people like you who choose to convert foreign coins and banknotes into charitable donations.
Choosing Your Best Path Forward
Selecting the right option depends entirely on your personal goals and the type of currency you hold. Consider these practical tips as you decide on your next step:
- Your Primary Goal: Is your main objective to support a specific charitable cause you feel passionate about? If so, donating directly to one of the charities listed, such as Mary's Meals or The Air Ambulance Service, ensures your contribution directly fuels their mission.
- Convenience and Speed: Are you looking for the most efficient, hassle-free process possible? If you value a quick turnaround and minimal effort, a specialised currency exchange service is your ideal choice.
- Currency Type: Do you have a mix of current coins, old banknotes, and even obsolete currency? Not all charities are equipped to handle every type. A dedicated exchange service that accepts a wider variety is often better for mixed or unusual collections.
Helpful Advice: The most effective donation method is one you'll actually complete. Don't let a complicated process deter you. Prioritise a solution that is fast, easy, and hassle-free, guaranteeing your good intentions are turned into real action without delay.
The Ultimate Hassle-Free Solution
For those who want maximum flexibility, speed, and a 100% guaranteed process, a professional exchange service stands out. This route is particularly beneficial if you have a large or mixed collection and want to avoid the time-consuming task of sorting.
Instead of letting that collection gather dust, you can take a simple, actionable step today. By choosing a trusted service, you ensure your currency is handled professionally, valued accurately, and converted quickly. This approach not only provides you with a return but also offers the option to donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice, combining the best of both worlds. Don't let the value in your foreign currency fade away. It’s time to unlock its potential and make a real difference.
Ready to turn your collection into cash or a charitable donation with unparalleled ease? At We Buy All Currency, we provide a fast, simple, and 100% guaranteed service to exchange foreign coins and notes. Trusted by major UK charities, police forces, and national retailers, we make it easy to convert everything from leftover holiday money to obsolete currency without any need to sort it first. Visit We Buy All Currency to discover how simple the process is and start your exchange today.