The £90 hiding in your drawers: turn forgotten holiday money into Christmas cash
There could be money hiding in your home, and it is not down the back of the sofa. From leftover euros and US dollars to old pound coins and foreign banknotes you thought were worthless, here’s how to turn forgotten currency into extra cash for Christmas.
Christmas is expensive enough without having to find extra money for presents, food, school discos and the inevitable last-minute Secret Santa. But before you start cutting back, there is one surprisingly simple place worth looking for some extra cash: your kitchen drawer.
You know the one. It contains old batteries, takeaway menus, a mysterious key and probably a handful of euros from a holiday five years ago. Perhaps there are some Thai baht in an old handbag, a few American dollars in a suitcase or even Grandad’s collection of old French francs.
Most of us treat leftover holiday money as souvenirs rather than actual cash. However, some of those forgotten coins and notes can still be exchanged for pounds, including currencies that are no longer in circulation.
Could you have £93 sitting in a drawer?
Research published by M&S Bank in September 2023 found that British households had an average of £93.44 in unused foreign currency.
The research suggested that almost £2 billion was gathering dust in homes across the UK, while only 34% of respondents said they always exchanged their leftover holiday money when they returned home.
Source: M&S Bank foreign currency research, September 2023. These are historical survey findings, not a guarantee of how much money any household will find.
How to find forgotten money around your home
Before you can exchange your leftover currency, you need to find it. Set aside half an hour for a proper rummage, and get the family involved.
Start with kitchen drawers, old handbags, coat pockets and bedside cabinets. Then check suitcases, travel wallets, gloveboxes, money jars and those boxes of belongings that have been sitting in the loft for years.
If the children are helping, you could even offer a small finder’s fee. It is amazing how quickly forgotten coins appear when there is a reward involved.
What old currency could be worth money?
Current foreign currency: Euros, US dollars, Thai baht, Turkish lira and other coins or banknotes left over from holidays.
Pre-euro money: French francs, Spanish pesetas, Italian lire, German Deutschmarks and Irish pounds.
Old British currency: Withdrawn round £1 coins, old paper banknotes and pre-decimal coins such as shillings and half crowns.
Unusual or damaged currency: Some withdrawn, worn or damaged notes and coins may also be accepted by specialist services.
Important: Not every old coin has an exchange value. Some currencies may only be worth their metal or collector value, while others may not be worth processing at all.
Where can you exchange leftover foreign coins in the UK?
Foreign coins, obsolete currency and mixed collections can be difficult to exchange through ordinary travel money channels. Fortunately, there are specialist UK services that deal with precisely this problem.
Two services worth investigating are We Buy All Currency and Cash4Coins. Both are operated by Coin and Note Sales Ltd.
1. We Buy All Currency: get an online valuation for old coins and notes
If you have a collection of recognisable currencies, We Buy All Currency is a straightforward place to start.
The service buys current and withdrawn foreign currency, old British and Irish money, pre-decimal coins and pre-euro banknotes. Rather than trying to work out the value yourself, you can begin the process online.
How it works
Step 1: Visit the website and select the currency you want to exchange.
Step 2: Enter the amount to see the published exchange rate and indicative value.
Step 3: Follow the instructions, package your currency securely and post it to the company.
Step 4: Once the currency has been received and checked, the company aims to process payment within five working days.
Payment is available by bank transfer or PayPal. The company advertises no hidden exchange charges and says it will return currency free of charge if you reject its final offer.
Remember: Check the quoted rate and postage cost before sending anything. The amount you receive may be lower than the currency’s face value converted at the headline exchange rate.
2. Cash4Coins: exchange a mixed jar of foreign coins without sorting it
Perhaps you have a jam jar containing 14 different currencies, half of which you cannot identify. The idea of separating and counting them is enough to send the whole lot straight back into the cupboard.
That is where Cash4Coins comes in.
The company specialises in mixed foreign coins and banknotes, including withdrawn and obsolete currencies. You do not have to identify every coin or spend an evening organising them into piles.
How to exchange a jar of mixed currency
1. Weigh your collection. Use your kitchen scales to find out roughly how much you have.
2. Complete the online form. Cash4Coins provides instructions for sending your currency according to its weight.
3. Send your parcel. Smaller parcels can be posted, while collection options are available for larger quantities. Check any shipping or collection charges.
4. Receive a valuation. The company sorts and assesses the currency before emailing you an offer.
5. Accept the offer. Payment is normally made within 48 business hours of acceptance, subject to the company’s stated payment hours.
Processing time: Cash4Coins quotes 7–31 days, depending on the volume and type of currency.
Minimum quantities: Check the current minimum weight requirements for mixed coins before sending a parcel. Banknote-only collections may have different requirements.
Want the money before Christmas? Don’t leave it too late
Cash4Coins can take up to 31 days to process a collection, before payment and postage time are considered.
If you are hoping to use the money for Christmas shopping, start in November rather than waiting until December. Even then, payment before Christmas cannot be guaranteed.
Where to sell euros, US dollars and other foreign currency in the UK
Some foreign currencies are much easier to exchange than others. If you have leftover euros or American dollars, the value of your collection will depend on whether you have banknotes, coins or a mixture of both.
Here is what to do with some of the most common currencies found in British homes.
Where can I exchange euro coins and notes?
If you have leftover euros from a holiday in Spain, France, Greece or elsewhere in the eurozone, check whether you have coins or banknotes.
Euro banknotes: These are generally easier to exchange than coins, particularly in larger denominations.
Euro coins: Specialist services can buy euro coins, including 1 cent, 2 cent, 50 cent, €1 and €2 coins.
We Buy All Currency buys euro coins and notes, so you can check the available rate before posting your collection.
It is worth comparing the amount offered against what you would receive by keeping the euros for another holiday.
Where can I sell leftover US dollars?
American dollars are among the most recognisable foreign currencies found in British homes, particularly if you have $10, $20, $50 or $100 banknotes left over from a trip.
For smaller denominations and US coins, including cents, nickels, dimes and quarters, a specialist service may be particularly useful.
Cash4Coins accepts US dollar coins and banknotes, including mixed collections.
Remember that low-value coins may attract a much lower exchange rate because of the cost of sorting and transporting them.
Can I exchange Turkish lira and Thai baht in the UK?
Yes. Current Turkish lira and Thai baht banknotes can often be exchanged in the UK, although acceptance depends on the denomination and condition.
If you have leftover Turkish or Thai coins, you may need a specialist currency exchange company instead.
Both currencies have undergone changes over the years, so check whether your notes and coins are still in circulation.
You can start by checking We Buy All Currency to see whether your particular notes or coins are accepted.
Can I sell old Spanish pesetas, French francs and Italian lire?
Finding old European money in a drawer can be surprisingly exciting, especially if it has been sitting there since before the euro was introduced.
Specialist companies may accept Spanish pesetas, French francs, Italian lire and German Deutschmarks, even though these currencies are no longer used in shops.
However, the amount offered can vary enormously. Some old currencies may have little more than a collector or recycling value.
Before selling an inherited collection, check whether any coins or notes could be worth more to collectors.
What about Australian dollars, Canadian dollars and Japanese yen?
These are also commonly exchanged currencies, particularly in banknote form.
If you have current Australian dollars, Canadian dollars or Japanese yen, check their exchange value before deciding whether to keep them for another trip.
For coins, withdrawn banknotes or mixed collections, a specialist service such as We Buy All Currency may be able to help.
Which foreign currency exchange service should you choose?
| What you have | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Recognisable foreign coins and notes | We Buy All Currency |
| A large, unsorted collection | Cash4Coins |
| Euro coins and notes | We Buy All Currency |
| US dollar coins and banknotes | Cash4Coins |
| Old French francs, pesetas and lire | We Buy All Currency |
| Mixed foreign coins from several holidays | Cash4Coins |
Can you exchange old round £1 coins and withdrawn banknotes?
Yes, although the value and available exchange options depend on what you have.
The old round £1 coin stopped being legal tender in October 2017. Specialist currency businesses may offer to buy withdrawn coins, although the amount offered can be below face value.
If you find old Bank of England paper notes, check the official exchange arrangements before paying a private company to handle them. The Bank of England continues to exchange genuine withdrawn Bank of England notes without a deadline.
MoneyMagpie tip: check the value before sending
Some old British notes can still be exchanged at face value through official arrangements. Before posting old UK money to a specialist company, check whether you could receive the full value directly.
For mixed collections containing obsolete foreign currency, Cash4Coins may be a more convenient option.
Five ways to get more money for your leftover currency
1. Don’t spend it all at the airport
Buying a giant Toblerone simply because you have a few euros left might seem sensible at the time, but you could be spending money that would otherwise be useful back home. Keep your coins and notes until you have checked whether they can be exchanged.
2. Pool your foreign coins with family and friends
If your collection is too small to make posting worthwhile, ask relatives whether they have any leftover holiday money. Combining several small collections can make the exchange more economical. Just agree how to divide the proceeds beforehand.
3. Check exchange rates and postage costs
Do not assume that a service advertising no hidden fees necessarily offers the highest payout. Look at the actual sterling amount you will receive after any delivery or collection costs.
4. Package your coins properly
Coins are surprisingly heavy and can easily burst through an ordinary padded envelope. Double-bag them, use a sturdy box and make sure there is enough packing material to stop everything moving around. Keep banknotes flat and protected.
5. Check whether old coins are collectable
Before sending off inherited coins, look carefully for gold, silver, unusual dates or anything that might be rare. Some collectable coins are worth considerably more than their exchange value.
Could your old coins be worth more than their face value?
Not every old coin belongs in a currency exchange parcel. Historic British coins, commemorative issues and certain foreign coins may appeal to collectors.
If something looks particularly old or unusual, investigate it separately before accepting a bulk exchange offer.
Can you donate leftover foreign currency to charity?
Absolutely. If your collection is too small to exchange economically, or you would simply rather help someone else, donating your old coins and notes can be an excellent alternative.
Cash4Coins and We Buy All Currency both offer ways for unwanted currency to support charitable causes.
This can also make a useful fundraising project for a school, community group or workplace. Ask everyone to bring in the foreign coins they have left over from holidays and combine them into one collection.
Check the chosen service’s donation instructions before posting, particularly where minimum weights, shipping arrangements or nominated charities are concerned.
Frequently asked questions about exchanging leftover currency
Can I exchange foreign coins in the UK?
Yes. Specialist currency exchange services including We Buy All Currency and Cash4Coins accept a range of foreign coins.
Where can I exchange euro coins in the UK?
We Buy All Currency buys euro coins and banknotes. You can check the available exchange rate online before sending your currency.
Can I sell leftover US dollar coins?
Yes. Cash4Coins accepts US dollar coins and banknotes, including mixed collections.
Can I exchange old French francs, Spanish pesetas and Italian lire?
Specialist currency exchange services may buy these obsolete currencies, although the amount offered depends on the currency and its condition.
Can I exchange foreign currency without sorting it?
Yes. Cash4Coins accepts mixed collections and sorts and counts the currency as part of its assessment process.
How long does it take to exchange foreign coins?
Processing times vary. We Buy All Currency aims to pay within five working days after receiving and verifying currency, while Cash4Coins quotes a processing period of 7–31 days, followed by payment after an offer is accepted.
Is it worth exchanging a small amount of foreign currency?
It depends on the exchange rate and delivery costs. If you have only a few low-value coins, consider combining them with another collection, keeping them for a future trip or donating them to charity.
Turn that forgotten money into Christmas cash
That drawer is not going to empty itself, and the money inside it is not doing you any good.
Half an hour spent searching old handbags, suitcases and cupboards could uncover a surprisingly useful collection of foreign currency. It might only be enough for a few stocking fillers, or it could make a more substantial contribution to the Christmas food shop.
If you know what currency you have, start by checking its value with We Buy All Currency. If you have a larger collection of unsorted coins and notes, Cash4Coins can assess the whole lot.
Your Christmas money challenge
Give yourself 30 minutes this weekend to hunt down every forgotten foreign coin and banknote in your home.
Count what you can, check its potential value and see whether you could turn it into extra spending money before Christmas.
Then tell us in the comments: how much did you find?
Information: November 2026. Exchange rates, eligibility, postage charges and processing times may change. Always check the provider’s latest terms before sending currency.
