elisaegs

I returned to the US with 30 Euro in coins and 20 in bills. They were tucked away in pockets. I went to my bank and they would only exchange the Euro (bills) back to US dollars for me.

Suggestion on who will exchange the coins from euros to US dollars?

beanweb24

I've never heard of a place that would convert coins to cash. I would either keep them for a future trip, sell them to a friend that might be going on a trip, or even advertise them on Craigslist at a good exchange rate (with no fee).

TTess

Just save them for your next trip. We never convert our Euros to dollars when we come back.

gail

Bank of America will not take them - and my guess is that if they will not, few or none will.

nytraveler

Banks and Bureaux de Changes simply will not deal with foreign coins - they're too much trouble.

Agree to save - or sell to a friend/colleague going to europe.

doug_stallings

Some large airports have machines at baggage claim that will convert these coins in US for a very hefty cut (as much as 10%). With the euro being worth 20% less now than just this summer, that seems a very high price to pay.

Unless you plan never to travel to Europe again, I'd keep everything. It's simply not worth the loss in exchange. You can use it on a later trip.

doug_stallings

Oh ... and if you really do want to get rid of the money, then simply trade it to someone you know who is going to Europe. They will save tremendously on the cost of getting some pocket money in advance of their trip.

djkbooks

Euro coins are especially useful to anyone going to Paris who plans to take the RER into the city, as the automatic ticket machines take only coins or credit cards with chips (which American cards do not have). Without coins, you are likely to have to wait in a very long line to purchase RER tickets from a clerk. I've seen Euro coins sold on EBay.

As mentioned above, though, with the reasonable exchange rate right now, you might want to save them for a future trip.

ronkala

How much do you want for them? The current rates have been between $1.25 to $1.27.

Cicerone

Cathay Pacific Airlines accepts all foreign coins in their “Change for Good” charity donation program, but this is a donation not a cash exchange. The program is part of a UNICEF program, so you may be able to donate the change to UNICEF as well. I know you can donate coins at the UNICEF office here in HOng Kong, you might contact your local UNICEF office or local Cathay Pacific office and see if you can donate your coins. Other charities may take them as well.

elisaegs

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking to go to Greece next year but not sure when. I was supposed to see a co-worker from Europe last week but trip cancelled.

I just thought there would be somewhere easy to exchange coins. Will find a find or keep.

Thanks!

NeoPatrick

Do you know anyone going to Europe soon? Sell them to them for a good price. That's really your best option.