The average US household has $90–$150 in loose coins sitting around. Here is exactly how to turn them into cash — free at your bank, or for a fee at Coinstar.
Best Options for Exchanging Coins
| Method | Fee | Requires Bank Account | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank/credit union (rolled coins) | Free | Yes | Same day |
| Bank coin counting machine | Free (for members) | Usually | Same day |
| Credit union | Free | Yes (member) | Same day |
| Coinstar (cash payout) | 11.9% | No | Same day |
| Coinstar (e-gift card) | 0% | No | Same day |
| Grocery store coin counter | 7–10% | No | Same day |
| Self-checkout machine (some stores) | 0% | No | Same day |
Option 1: Your Bank or Credit Union (Free)
Rolled coins: Most banks accept hand-rolled coins from account holders at no charge. Get free coin wrappers at your bank branch or at the dollar store. Standard roll denominations:
| Coin | Coins per Roll | Roll Value |
|---|---|---|
| Pennies | 50 | $0.50 |
| Nickels | 40 | $2.00 |
| Dimes | 50 | $5.00 |
| Quarters | 40 | $10.00 |
| Half-dollars | 20 | $10.00 |
| Dollar coins | 25 | $25.00 |
In-branch coin counters: Some banks (TD Bank, PNC, some regional banks) have coin counting machines inside the branch. These are free for account holders and count coins in under a minute. Call ahead to check if your branch has one.
Credit unions tend to be especially accommodating with coin deposits — many do not require rolling at all.
Option 2: Coinstar Kiosks (No Bank Account Needed)
Coinstar kiosks are located at most major grocery stores. Just pour your coins in and the machine counts them:
- Cash payout: 11.9% fee deducted automatically. On $100 of coins, you get $88.10.
- E-gift card: No fee. Choose from Amazon, Starbucks, iTunes, Google Play, and others. This is only valuable if you were already going to spend money there.
- Charitable donation: No fee. Coinstar partners with several charities.
Coinstar tip: If you choose the e-gift card option and plan to use it, it is effectively the same as getting full cash value.
To find a Coinstar kiosk: use the locator at coinstar.com. Kiosks are in most Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, and Albertsons-family stores.
Option 3: Self-Checkout Machines at Some Retailers
Some Walmart and Albertsons self-checkout lanes accept coin payment. You can use loose change to pay for groceries directly — no counting, no rolling, no fee. Not a universal option, but convenient if you regularly shop there and have moderate amounts of change.
What to Do With Small Amounts
For coin jars under $20:
- Pay for a small purchase with exact change
- Use in a vending machine or laundromat
- Put in a tip jar or donate
- Drop in a self-checkout coin slot at a grocery store
The rolling and banking process is most efficient for $50+ in coins.
Foreign Coins and Collectibles
- Foreign coins: Banks and Coinstar do not accept them. Bring them on your next international trip, donate them to airport charity boxes, or sell to a coin dealer.
- Possibly valuable coins: Before exchanging, check pennies dated before 1982 (mostly copper, worth ~2.5× face value to scrap dealers), pre-1965 dimes and quarters (90% silver — worth significantly more than face value). Check with a coin dealer before exchanging anything potentially old or rare.
Related: where to exchange currency · how to save money on a tight budget · best free checking accounts · how to stop living paycheck to paycheck
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