Foreign Currency Coins Question

[sunshinedaydreams]

What do you do with leftover foreign currency coins that airport exchanges won't change?  We have a bunch of coins in different currencies (euros, kronur, pounds, rands, BZ dollars, etc., etc.) that probably add up to a decent amount.  I hate to just let them sit around and be worth nothing.  Can I take them to the bank and deposit them into my account?  Has anyone done this?

[kpol]

No ideas that will result in actual money in hand, but a few ideas from Pinterest that I've found include:

indigoamethyst.blogspot.kr/2011/10/coin-art.html
tatteredstyle.blogspot.kr/2011/08/magnetic-change.html

I hope someone else has a solution, because I have a bunch, too.

[frlcb]

I would either keep them or give them to friends who are traveling there (or sell them to friends). I like to have local currency in coins when I land in the airport in case I need it for a drink in a shop, or a cart or something. I don't think you can deposit them into your account but don't know 100%.

[msgeeksout]

I plugged a candy machine in the airport! Totally worth it.

[bettyfinn]

I turned a few with holes in the middle into necklaces and we made a paperweight out of a Serbian bill we accidentally didn't spend (you can't exchange their money outside of Serbia, or at least you couldn't at the time and we have no plans to return, so...). 

We we keep loose change in a big jar and pull out relevant coins when we need them on return trips overseas. Now that we have kids, we let them play with the money. We have a lot but for me the novelty of the money (and the kids enjoyment) outweigh the actual worth of the money. 

[wise_rita]

Airports often have charity boxes where you can dump any currency. That's a good idea.

But the #1 way to avoid this problem is to SPEND YOUR CHANGE throughout your stay. My SO simply does not know how to spend change and it drives me nucking futs.

[GilliC]

We used to keep them in one of those plastic craft/hardware boxes, and then pull out the right currency before the next trip.


Most banks only accept notes for currency exchange, so I doubt your local bank would be much help (though you could always ask).

Since it's a fairly common problem, there are a lot of airlines and airport-based programs that collect coins in any currency for charity donations. If you don't want to hold onto them, that could be an option. ETA: wise_rita and I think alike.

XH was terrible at spending coins (he amassed huge amounts in every local currency as well), so whenever we traveled, I would take all the coins away from him at the end of the day, and then I would count out change whenever I could to make sure we spent some of it.

[allibally]

I spend it at the airport buying candy. Also charity boxes at the airport or on international flight. I've donated to SOS children villages on Swiss airlines. Some of it I keep around Euros and Swiss Francs because H's family lives there so I don't mind hoarding it till the next trip. Also I try to spend coins before bills.

UNICEF has some suggestions www.unicefusa.org/campaigns/changeforgood/ seems as if you can mail them to a center.

[Deleted]

If it's something I'm fairly sure I'm never going to use again then it goes into a jar.

If it's something where I know we'll need it again at some point then I'll put it in a zip lock bag by type of currency and store it with our passports.

[katfco]

We saved some of ours as mementos. I know some people who gave it to friends who were teachers so they could use them as instructional aids when talking about geography or currency.

[scout8]

Oct 21, 2013 2:12:38 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Airports often have charity boxes where you can dump any currency. That's a good idea.

But the #1 way to avoid this problem is to SPEND YOUR CHANGE throughout your stay. My SO simply does not know how to spend change and it drives me nucking futs.

Neither does mine! Drives me crazy!!

[mdgirl]

I try to spend it before we leave, and candy is always good for that. I have a smaller wallet I use when we go on longer trips since I only take a few cards and it's just easier to carry. I throw my leftover currency in the bag where I keep it so it's right there in case I can use it on my next trip.

Oct 21, 2013 7:22:41 GMT -5 katfco said:

I know some people who gave it to friends who were teachers so they could use them as instructional aids when talking about geography or currency.

This is such a nice idea!

[CloudBee]

We spend them upon arrival/departure for food, typically. Sometimes we grab local candies and snacks with the intention of bringing them home vs. eating them in the airport. It's always fun. If we have a few coins remaining they come home with us for future trips, or sit in a jar.

[sunshinedaydreams]

I'm super late coming back to this. Thanks for all the good suggestions. My H is also completely inept at spending change before we leave places, which is how we ended up in this situation. :-) Some of the places I don't think we'll go back to and have literally piles of change left. I think maybe I'll make some art with them and donate the rest.

[caddywompus]

I have a small jar that says "wedding fund" and I place all my foreign bills and coins in it. Then I know where they are, take them out next time we travel.