# What to Do With Leftover Foreign Coins From Your Trip
Foreign coins pile up fast when you travel, and banks won't touch them. Unlike dollar bills, coins lack the resale market that makes paper currency exchangeable. But several practical options exist before those coins vanish into a drawer forever.
Your first stop should be your bank. Call ahead and ask if they exchange coins in the currency you brought back. Most major banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo will exchange paper currency, but many refuse coins entirely. If your bank declines, specialty currency exchanges in larger cities sometimes accept coins, though they charge conversion fees that eat into your return.
Travel-focused solutions work better. Airport exchange counters occasionally buy coins, particularly from popular destinations. Check before your next trip. XE.com and OANDA provide real-time exchange rates so you know fair pricing.
Online marketplaces offer another route. eBay sellers regularly buy foreign coins, especially older or collectible pieces. A roll of 100 yen coins might fetch $3 to $5 from a collector. Etsy also hosts dealers willing to purchase foreign currency. Shipping costs limit profitability for smaller amounts, but larger quantities justify the expense.
Donation centers accept foreign currency. Charities like UNICEF collect coins specifically to fund international aid programs. Some nonprofits even provide prepaid envelopes. This option yields no cash return but delivers tax-deductible charitable value.
Currency exchange services like Travelex operate in malls and downtown districts in major cities. They specialize in foreign coins and bills, though expect unfavorable conversion rates. Still, this beats losing the money entirely.
Hold onto coins if you travel frequently to the same destination. Future trips eliminate the exchange hassle entirely, and you'll spend them naturally.
For small quantities, acceptance of minor loss