I changed my lire back to US dollars when I got back from Italy, but the bank that I used wouldn't take the change. Does anyone know where I can go exchange the coins? It's only a few dollars, but I'd still like the money if I can get it.

Sorry Vita, but the banks and other agents won't take coins, as I found out too late. Now they,re covering wooden picture frames as gifts. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Many charitable organizations will take it (check first).

My procedure was to always spend them at the airport before departure or take them back on next trip. With the euro coming on, I don't know how that will work any more. Just keep em or donate to charity.

Vita, I've never found any bank in the US that would convert coins. I had always been told to only bring back paper money otherwise I might have some expensive little souvenirs. I found on Ed's website an organization (UNICEF?)that will accept foreign coins as a donation. I can't find Ed's website address at this moment, but I'm sure if you do a search on here it will come up. Or better yet, someone else out there might have it handy. Hope this helps!

Just found the information I was looking for. Go to: [email protected]. Then go to: Trip Tips & Tools and you will see: Change for Good. I think they provide a lot of good information regarding this exact situation. In fact, I sent back unused dutch coins that I had found in the bottom of a bag from last year's trip to the address listed there.

I'm in the Boston area and we have a Unicef office, and they took all the Russian and Chineese coins as well as the few french we had left over after my gifts. All the other charities we <BR>called were not interested including the travellers aid, which is too bad.<BR>The same thing with air miles, you can't donate those at all.

It isn't just in the US - coins are not "convertable" almost anywhere. That is why most airlines collect coins for charity on international flights.<BR><BR>Contribute them to UNICEF or keep them as souvenirs

If you go the donation route, any British Airways counter will take them and hand them over to UNICEF

Virgin Atlantic used to always have little envelopes that were either in the Wakey-Wakey bags or passed out by the flight attendants for this same purpose.

I always gave the left over coins to my nephews. The coins normally weren't worth much so as to create a problem. They loved getting the foreign money. They like it better than t-shirts or other typical travel gifts.<BR>I also give them foreign stamps, if I happen to have any of those.

Like another poster, I use old coins from various countries to decorate photo frames with. Makes a unique and fun border for vacation photos on display.

The coins will be legal tender for the next 3 months, approximately. The euro becomes legal tender on January 1, but national currencies will not be totally phased out in Italy until the end of Feb. (Feb 28, 2002)<BR>If you know someone going to Italy, perhaps you can strike a deal.<BR>Otherwise, you just bought yourself some Italian metal.