Want to get cash for coins? I can help.
One way my family saves money is by saving coins. Every time we pay cash and get change back, the coins go into a jar.
We don’t miss them, and in fact, it’s nice not to have to walk around with that heavy change in our purses and pockets.
However, once the jars are full, it is time to cash them in. You can’t head to the airline counter with a jar full of coins.
You need to find a place to cash them in. I like to call it an exchange. My coins for dollar bills please.
In This Article
- Places to Get Cash for Coins For Free
- 1. Your Local Bank
- 2. QuikTrip
- Coin Counting Machines
- 3. Walmart
- 4. Kroger
- 5. CVS
- 6. ShopRite
- 7. Hy-Vee
- 8. Meijer
- 9. Albertsons
- 10. Harris Teeter
- 11. Hannaford
- 12. Cash Wise
- 13. Target
- 14. Kmart
- 15. Lowe’s
- Coinstar Fees
- Get an e-Gift Card for Free
- Gift Card Options
- Give the Money to Charity
- Summary
Places to Get Cash for Coins For Free
Here are our top places to get those coins turned into cash.
1. Your Local Bank
Many banks 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.
Currently there are a few banks that we know of that will take your coins:
- Citibank (requires coin rolls and some fees may vary)
- Community Savings Banks (requirements vary)
- US Bank (no rolls but current customers only)
- Bank of America (requires coin rolls)
- First County Bank
- Western Credit Union
- Peoples United
Things to before you go to the bank:
- Call ahead and inquire if they want coins rolled
- Ask if they have member / non-member fees
- Make sure coins are free of lint and other debris
One bonus with having a local bank 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.
2. QuikTrip
QuikTrip gas stations and convenience stores have over 800 locations in the Southeastern, Midwestern, and Southern U.S.
According to this article, you can turn your coins into any QuikTrip location and get cash.
The article says that if your local store doesn’t have enough cash to cash out your coins, they’ll give you the remaining balance in the form of the QuikTrip gift card.
QuikTrip isn’t charging a fee for this service.
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 house coin counting machines.
3. Walmart
Walmarthas over 11,000 stores worldwide. If you live in the U.S. there’s likely a Walmart near you.
Almost all of the Walmarts in my area have Coinstar machines. Walmart seems to be the largest Coinstar host store, at least in my area.
Relevant article: 10 Best Places to Get Quarters
4. Kroger
Krogerhas more than 2,700 grocery stores in 35 states in the U.S. Many Kroger stores have Coinstar kiosks. Check your local store for more information.
5. CVS
CVS Pharmacyhas over 9,000 stores in the U.S. It has stores in every state except Wyoming. Check your local CVS to see if it has a Coinstar kiosk.
6. ShopRite
There are more than 300 ShopRitegrocery stores on the East Coast. You can find them in several states, including:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Maryland
Check your local ShopRite to see if they have a kiosk.
7. Hy-Vee
Hy-Veehas over 200 grocery stores in the Midwest. Some states include Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska. Your local Hy-Vee may have a Coinstar kiosk.
8. Meijer
There are more than 200 Meijerretail stores in the Midwest. They’re located in the following states:
- Michigan
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Wisconsin
- Ohio
Visit your local Meijer store for a Coinstar kiosk. Not all locations carry kiosks.
9. Albertsons
Albertsonshas over 2,000 locations throughout the U.S. Some states include Texas, New Mexico and Illinois.
Your local Albertsons store may have a Coinstar kiosk.
10. Harris Teeter
Harris Teeterhas more than 200 supermarkets in seven U.S. states. They’re located in:
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Georgia
- Florida
- Delaware
- Maryland
There are Harris Teeters in Washington, D.C., too. Your local Harris Teeter may have a Coinstar kiosk.
11. Hannaford
Hannafordhas nearly 200 stores in New England and New York. Note that not all locations have Coinstar kiosks.
12. Cash Wise
Cash Wisefoods stores are located in Minnesota and North Dakota. There are dozens of stores. Check your local Cash Wise store to see if they house Coinstar.
13. Target
There are more than 1,800 Targetstores in the U.S. Not all Targets have Coinstar kiosks. In my major city, I couldn’t find a machine at a Target.
Check your local Target store to see if it has one.
14. Kmart
Kmartstores are dwindling in number. However, there are still over 40 in the U.S. You might find a Coinstar machine at your local Kmart.
15. Lowe’s
Lowe’sis a home improvement chain with more than 2,000 stores in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Some stores may carry Coinstar kiosks.
Again, not all store locations have machines. As I mentioned, most of the Walmarts in my area have them. However, very few Targets have them.
You can find a kiosk location by going to the Coinstar website. Or you can ask at a store near you.
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.
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.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to turn coins into cash? ›
- Take your coins to a community bank or credit union.
- Roll your coins for easier spending.
- Check if local retailers allow for coin exchange.
- Be wary of potential fees.
- QuikTrip. As a convenience store and gas station, QuikTrip wants to help you cash your coins for free. ...
- Bank Of America. Another place where you can cash your coins for free is at Bank of America. ...
- Wells Fargo. ...
- US Bank. ...
- CVS. ...
- Kroger. ...
- Meijer. ...
- Walmart.
Visit your bank or credit union
A lot of supermarkets have coin-sorting machines but almost all charge a service fee. (CoinStar's processing fee, for example, is currently 11.9% of whatever you convert, or $11.90 for every $100 in change.)
You do not pay a fee; however, Coinstar retains a 10% processing fee from your donation amount for national charities and a 7.5% processing fee for regional charities. See Charity Partners for information.
Where can I turn in coins for cash near me? ›- Local bank or credit union. Your local bank or credit union branch may let you exchange coins for cash via coin-counting machines, letting you to roll your own coins, or take coins in another way. ...
- QuikTrip. ...
- Safeway. ...
- Walmart. ...
- Target. ...
- Lowe's. ...
- Home Depot. ...
- CVS.
The short answer: no. At least not right now. According to the Federal Reserve, in June 2020, a cap was imposed on coin orders to ensure that “the supply was fairly distributed.” That cap was eventually lifted, but was reinstated in May of 2021 because people still weren't circulating coins at pre-pandemic levels.
Do any banks offer free coin counting? ›Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Capital One, PNC Bank, TD Bank, BB&T, and other major national banks no longer provide coin-counting machines to customers or to non-customers. The reason: The big banks claim that these machines cost more to maintain than the value that is delivered to customers.
Does CVS exchange coins for cash? ›This summer, CVS/pharmacy will begin offering customers the chance to convert their coins into a CVS card using the Coinstar Center kiosks located in its stores. The Coin to Card service allows consumers to convert their loose change to a CVS card at the Coinstar kiosk and pay no coin-counting fee.
Where can I change my coins for cash for free Walmart? ›Turn coins into cash, a charity donation, or a no-fee eGift card from top brands at a Coinstar kiosk in Walmart. In-store only.
How do I avoid Coinstar fees? ›Coinstar's processing fee is 11.9%. To avoid the processing fee, you'll have to choose to receive an e-gift card instead of cash. Before you choose to get a gift card, review the list of participating restaurants and retailers.
How can I get cash? ›
- Sell spare electronics. ...
- Sell your gift cards. ...
- Pawn something. ...
- Work today for pay today. ...
- Seek community loans and assistance. ...
- Ask for forbearance on bills. ...
- Request a payroll advance. ...
- Take a loan from your retirement account.
Coinstar's fee is currently set at 11.9 percent of the value of the coins you're exchanging. Basically: That's nearly $12 for every $100 in coins you feed to the machine.
Is there an alternative to Coinstar? ›So your best bet is to find a local credit union or small community bank that will count your change for free. MyBankTracker.com has a 2022 list, but it includes only a handful of institutions, and most offer the service only to their existing customers.
How do coin counting machines work? ›How do coin counters sort coins? All coins in each currency have their own unique diameter and thickness. And just like a human can tell them apart without looking, mixed coin counters use automated sensors and rotating discs to identify coins based on their size, and then funnel them into separate receiving cups.
Are change counting machines accurate? ›If you run a cash handling business, here's some good news for you – you can make your life much easier by purchasing one simple item. By investing in a money counting machine, not only will your employees save time, it will also give you peace of mind that the numbers counted are 100% accurate every time.
Where can I get change? ›A Bank. Going to a bank (preferably where you have an account) is the best way – just walk into your bank and get change. If you have a bank account there, like a checking account, then they will always give you change. You can even withdraw money from your checking account and request that it be as coins.
Can you deposit coins at an ATM? ›Do ATMs take coins? Most ATMs do not take coins. If you want to deposit coins, you'll need to go into a branch and deposit them with a teller.
How do you make coin wrappers? ›The coin rolls are usually free at the bank but you may need to be a customer at that bank. Drop in and ask them for the rolls in the denominations you need. Be aware that in some cases you may need to order certain denominations if they're not readily available.
Why are people hoarding nickels? ›On Reddit, some Americans have discussed the value of hoarding nickels as a potential investment and a hedge against inflation. Nickel has value outside of coin production, it is used in car batteries, among other products.
Is the penny going away? ›Answer: Pennies aren't going anywhere anytime soon. “As of this date, the Mint has no plans to cease production of the penny,” a spokesperson for the U.S Mint said. This has been floating around for many years.
Do any banks offer free coin-counting? ›
Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Capital One, PNC Bank, TD Bank, BB&T, and other major national banks no longer provide coin-counting machines to customers or to non-customers. The reason: The big banks claim that these machines cost more to maintain than the value that is delivered to customers.
How do I avoid Coinstar fees? ›Coinstar's processing fee is 11.9%. To avoid the processing fee, you'll have to choose to receive an e-gift card instead of cash. Before you choose to get a gift card, review the list of participating restaurants and retailers.
Is there an alternative to Coinstar? ›So your best bet is to find a local credit union or small community bank that will count your change for free. MyBankTracker.com has a 2022 list, but it includes only a handful of institutions, and most offer the service only to their existing customers.
Does Walmart exchange coins for cash? ›Turn coins into cash, a charity donation, or a no-fee eGift card from top brands at a Coinstar kiosk in Walmart. In-store only. We'd love to hear what you think!
Does Walmart have coin counting machines? ›Is there a coin-counting machine at Walmart? Yes. Coinstar machines can be found at the vast majority of Walmart locations across the country.
Does CVS exchange coins for cash? ›This summer, CVS/pharmacy will begin offering customers the chance to convert their coins into a CVS card using the Coinstar Center kiosks located in its stores. The Coin to Card service allows consumers to convert their loose change to a CVS card at the Coinstar kiosk and pay no coin-counting fee.
Can you deposit coins at an ATM? ›Do ATMs take coins? Most ATMs do not take coins. If you want to deposit coins, you'll need to go into a branch and deposit them with a teller.
How do coin counting machines work? ›How do coin counters sort coins? All coins in each currency have their own unique diameter and thickness. And just like a human can tell them apart without looking, mixed coin counters use automated sensors and rotating discs to identify coins based on their size, and then funnel them into separate receiving cups.
Are Coinstar machines accurate? ›"Our goal at Coinstar is to provide consumers with a convenient, reliable and accurate coin counting solution. With 25 years in business, processing more than 1 billion transactions, we have a zero tolerance policy on our accuracy tests; if a kiosk doesn't meet our standards, it's shut down and fixed."
Does Wells Fargo have coin counting machines? ›The bank will still have counting machines of its own — but behind the counter where customers can't use them. A bank spokesman said that customers will have to roll coins ahead of time if they want to deposit them. Wells Fargo will supply the rolls, though, and business customers can enroll in a coin-deposit service.
How do you make coin wrappers? ›
The coin rolls are usually free at the bank but you may need to be a customer at that bank. Drop in and ask them for the rolls in the denominations you need. Be aware that in some cases you may need to order certain denominations if they're not readily available.
How much of a fee does Coinstar charge? ›Take your coins to a Coinstar machine. A 11.9% coin processing fee applies. Fees may vary by location.
Can you take loose coins to the bank? ›Why Your Bank Is Probably the Best Place to Cash In Coins. Consumers can turn in their coins for cash at banks, which will give them their full value. Banks do not charge a fee to their customers when they deposit coins, but many require that the coins be rolled in wrappers.
How does a coin changer work? ›Deconstructed - The Coin Changer - How It Works - YouTube
Does Coinstar take dollar coins? ›In the United States, the machine accepts all denominations of coins from one-cent coins to one-dollar coins, its only restriction being 1943 steel cents and Eisenhower Dollars.