Old European Money

We have some similar old money. Goggle. There is a collectors market for old money especially related to WWII. The value depends a great deal on the currency and condition - condition is everything. It was too old long before exchanging for Euro in the 90s. Some of that currency was subject to massive inflation following WWII.

I suggest dividing the coins and currency among youngsters in your family (or those in your neighborhood). Who knows--maybe that will get them interested in history or geography. Or traveling. (Or maybe just coin-collecting.)

I think there is indeed value especially for numismatists. Share them with your young family members for the reasons acraven gave.

Hi,

I see that your list of countries includes Germany, ie, Nazi Reichsmarks. That currency ceased to have value once the war was over in 1945, ie worthless. Not until 1947 did Anglo-American zones in west Germany pass the Währungsreform (currency reform) which meant new currency in the form of the DM (Deutsch Mark) was now legal tender.

The DM was introduced in June 1948, which then caused the Soviets to blockade Berlin and thus began the Berlin Airlift.
The euro was introduced in physical form on Jan. 1, 2002. Thus you could not have exchanged this money for euro in the 90's.

Sell it to money collecters or see if your family wants it. I would be happy to take a bit of the German money off your hands if you aren't asking too high of a price.

It depends. I believe the GBP keeps its value forever. I have some old notes that are no longer in circulation (from 2006) and per what I've researched, I can take the notes into a Bank of England branch and exchange them for new notes. I'm not sure how far back this goes but do some internet searches and you may be surprised.

sorry...the Währungsrefprm was 1948.

Some notes and coins can be exchanged at the Central Bank or equivalent.

But if you take an expired note to exchange you will get face value only. Taking an old £5 back will get you a new £5, for sale in the collection market these notes are potentially over £100.

I would call this a collection. France, Luxembourg and Germany have all changed currencies since WW2, France and Germany twice! And face value would be a fraction of what these were worth in real terms. Pre-1948 German Marks were never converted, they became worthless. France had a "revaluation" in 1960, 100 old francs = 1 new franc.

I would keep it as a souvenir, or go to a coin collectors shop (or a meeting), and see what you were offered.

I have coins and currency too from the pre-euro days as well as some Korean War vintage Asian coins and currency from my dad's stint in the Navy. You see old European coins sold in shops and street markets these days. I bought some pre Queen Elizabeth coins from a guy at a street market because I thought they were interesting and they cost almost nothing. Circulated currency is basically worthless except as a collector's item. Coins can be much better if they have a precious metal value, so that might be worth checking - but Europe was virtually bankrupt at that point so don't be optimistic. I wouldn't expect them to have much dollar value unless there is something special or rare about them. It's better to see them for their history value or give them to kids who might consider them a treasure.

I can take the notes into a Bank of England branch and exchange them for new notes. I'm not sure how far back this goes

Right back to 1694. Although I think the earliest note still known to exist is dated 1699.

Thank you everyone. I may hang on to the pounds and try that on a trip to London but as for the rest I’ll start giving them away.

Before giving them away, have a reputable coin / currency dealer take a look and make you an offer. They have no monetary value, but the collectable value might surprise you. It did us.