Want to get cash for coins? I can help.
One way my family saves money is by saving coins. When we pay cash and get the change back, the coins go into a jar. Once the jars are full, it is time to cash them in.
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Where to Get Cash for Coins
Here are our top places to get those coins turned into cash.
1. Bank of America
Bank of America accepts rolled coins. If you have the patience to stick your loose change into rolls, then this is a good option for Bank of America customers.
For those with an account, the bank will simply deposit the rolls into your savings account. If you don’t have an account with Bank of America, they won’t be able to help you. Use their branch locator to find one near you.
2. Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is an option for both customers and non-customers. In either case, you’ll need to roll your coins before the bank will accept them.
Personally, I’ve used Wells Fargo to exchange coins for dollar bills. I brought a jar of coins to the bank, and the teller gave me rolls at the counter.
Whether or not you are a customer, Wells Fargo is an option if you are willing to roll your coins. They also have a branch locator page to make it easy to find a location in your area.
3. US Bank
US Bank offers coin exchange services for customers.
As a customer, you can bring your coins to the bank without rolls. The banker will deposit the coins into your account. From there, you can pull out cash funds if you’d like to or leave them in there for a rainy day.
It’s convenient to skip the tedious coin-rolling process. However, only US Bank customers will find this option available. Click here to find a U.S. Bank near you.
4. Citibank
Citibank accepts rolled coins as deposits from account holders. Although you’ll need to roll your coins ahead of time, the bank will place them directly into your account.
Unfortunately, non-customers are out of luck at Citibank. Without an account, you won’t be able to exchange coins for cash at a Citibank location.
Use their location finder to locate a branch in your area.
5. Credit Unions
Many credit unions have coin-counting machines. You typically have to be a member to have coins counted for free. Non-members usually have to pay a fee.
If you aren’t sure what the credit unions in your area offer, make some calls around town. The receptionist should be able to let you know if a coin machine is available. Plus, they can explain if there are any fees involved.
One bonus with having a local credit union that will convert the coins is you can add the money directly to your account, where it can earn interest. Money in the jar only earns dust.
6. QuikTrip
QuikTrip gas stations and convenience stores have over 800 locations in the Southeastern, Midwestern, and Southern U.S.
You can turn your coins into any QuikTrip location and get cash.
If your local store doesn’t have enough cash to cash out your coins, they’ll give you the remaining balance as a QuikTrip gift card.
QuikTrip isn’t charging a fee for this service.
Get Cash From Coin Counting Machines
Retailers sometimes have coin counting machines that let you exchange coins for cash. You pour your coins into the machine, and it will count them.
Note that it will spit out any coins it can’t identify. This could include foreign coins, damaged coins, and non-coins.
If the machine spits out a real coin, put it in again. Sometimes, you can get it to register by doing that.
Know that this service isn’t free. One popular coin counting machine is run by Coinstar. Coinstar has coin counting machines in stores everywhere.
What is Coinstar’s Fee?
Coinstar charges 11.9% to turn your coins into cash. You can read about how to get around that toward the bottom of this article.
Check the Coinstar website for kiosks near you. Here is a list of stores that might have coin counting machines in your area.
- Walmart
- Kroger
- CVS
- ShopRite
- Hy-Vee
- Meijer
- Albertsons
- Harris Teeter
- Hannaford
- Cash Wise
- Target
- Safeway
- Lowe’s
- Winco
Relevant article: Where To Get Quarters – 10 Great Options
Coinstar Fees
As I mentioned before, Coinstar charges a whopping 11.9% fee if you want cash for your coins. So, if you have $100 in coins, you’ll get charged $11.90.
I know that’s a LOT of money. I’m not a big fan of paying fees. You’re likely not, either.
However, there are a few options for avoiding the fee. Check out these choices.
Get an e-Gift Card for Free
Coinstar does have an option where you can get an e-gift card instead of actual cash for your coins.
You won’t pay a fee if you get an e-gift card. Coinstar has several e-gift card options. They all come with minimum and maximum dollar amounts.
Gift Card Options
| Company | Gift Card Amounts |
| Amazon | $5 to $1,000 |
| Applebee’s | $5 to $500 |
| Best Buy | $5 to $500 |
| Gamestop | $15 to $500 |
| Home Depot | $10 to $500 |
| iTunes | $5 to $500 |
| Southwest Airlines | $25 to $500 |
| Starbucks | $5 to $500 |
Note that the retailers and amounts are subject to change. However, if you’re looking to avoid the Coinstar fee, this could help.
Give the Money to Charity
Coinstar will waive the coin counting fee if you donate the money to charity through them. Their list of available charities is small. However, they are all good choices.
- Unicef
- United Way
- American Red Cross
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- World Wildlife Foundation
- Feeding America
- Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
There’s something for everyone on the charity list. If you want to give your coins to a good cause, you can go this route.
How To Roll Coins
Rolling your coins can be a great way to organize loose change and make it easier to deposit or exchange for cash. Whether you have a collection of pennies, nickels, dimes, or quarters, the process is relatively simple and can be done in just a few steps.
Before getting ready to wrap your coins, you will first need some coin wrappers. They can be purchased at Dollar Tree, Staples, Walmart and Amazon. Next, organize your coins by value.
Once you have sorted the coins, it is time to start rolling. Begin by placing a stack of coins at one end of a coin wrapper. Make sure the coins are lined up neatly and facing in the same direction.
Then, fold the wrapper over the coins and press firmly on the edges to create a tight seal. Continue rolling the wrapper until all the coins are inside.
Finally, label the wrapper with the type of coin and the total amount inside. This will help you keep track of your rolled coins and make it easier to exchange them for cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I exchange my coins for cash for free?
Many banks and credit unions offer coin exchange services to their customers free of charge. Laundrymats and grocery stores are also a great option.
Some supermarkets and retail stores may also have coin counting machines that exchange coins for cash, although they may charge a fee.
What is the best way to prepare my coins for free exchange?
Before taking your coins to a coin exchange service, it is important to sort them by denomination and remove any foreign objects or damaged coins. This will make the process faster and easier for the service provider.
Additionally, consider using coin wrappers to organize your coins and label them.
When using places like Coinstar, you do not need to sort your coins. Just bring your stash to the machine and dump them in. However, make sure there is no debris in the mix.
Are there any restrictions?
Many banks and credit unions have a limit on the amount of coins that can be exchanged for cash for free. It’s important to check with your financial institution to see if there are any limits or fees associated with coin exchange services.
Using coin counting systems like Coinstar, there are no limits on coins. You will however lose up to 11% due to fees they charge.
Summary
I’ve found saving coins is a great way to save money. You don’t miss them when you throw them into the jar. They almost don’t seem like real cash.
Sometimes, we’ll throw dollar bills into our coin jar, too. They really add up over time. You can save several hundred dollars a year this way.
Using your own bank is the cheapest way to get cash for coins. However, if that’s not an option, you have Coinstar. You may pay a fee with Coinstar, but at least you’ll get cash.
