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Foreign currency guide

Donate Foreign Coins and Notes in the UK

If you have a drawer full of leftover holiday money, you are not alone. Coins and notes can be awkward to exchange individually, especially when they are mixed or low value. Coins for Change is built around community collections so schools, charities and other organisations can combine lots of small contributions into one fundraising campaign.

Who the Coins for Change campaign is designed for

The current service is presented for schools, PTAs, charities, sports clubs, faith groups and other organisations running a collection. If you are an individual with foreign currency, the simplest way to support the model is through a participating organisation or by encouraging a local organisation to request a collection kit.

What can go into a collection?

The current Coins for Change website says it accepts foreign coins and notes from virtually any country and that mixed currencies are fine. It also says UK coins of 5p or higher can be used to top up a collection, while UK 1p and 2p copper coins are not accepted.

  • Foreign coins from different countries can be mixed.
  • Foreign notes can be included.
  • UK 5p and higher coins may be used as top-up under the current published rules.
  • Do not put UK 1p or 2p coins into the collection.

Why community collection makes sense

A single handful of coins may not justify specialist transport or sorting. Across a school or supporter community, hundreds of small leftover balances can become one meaningful collection. The organisation also has one campaign to communicate rather than each household trying to solve the problem separately.

Running a collection

Organisations can request the free collection kit, launch the campaign using the supplied materials, collect currency and then follow the collection process shown on the main site. Always check the current homepage for the latest timing and collection conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I send one small bag of foreign coins directly?

The website currently presents the service around organisation-led collection campaigns. If you are an individual, use a participating organisation or ask a local school, charity or group to run a campaign.

Can currencies be mixed together?

Yes. The current website says mixed foreign currencies are accepted.

Do you take old foreign notes?

The current website says foreign coins and notes from virtually any country are accepted. If you have an unusual item, contact Coins for Change before sending it.

Want to run a foreign-currency collection?

Request the current Coins for Change collection kit and use the live campaign guidance for accepted currency, collection conditions and timings.

Request a free kit