We have a variety of old coins used in Europe prior to the use of the Euro. This may be an ignorant question... Can we still use them now? We are going to Germany, Austria and Switzerland this summer.
Posted by
Boston, MA, United States
1806 posts
You may have better luck unloading that money on some coin collectors if you visit eBay or Craigslist. Shopkeepers in Europe will look at you like you have grown 2 heads if you try and pay for something in a country that has converted to Euros (except maybe the Germans who are so sick of bailing out other faltering EU countries, they may feel nostalgic for their old currency!).
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8067 posts
No, they are not accepted as currency, if you had a large amount of paper currency, you may be able to have it changed at a bank still.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Switzerland uses their own currency, so any leftover Swiss francs you have are still valid.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
You can exchange your old Deutschemark coins for euros at any branch of Deutsche Bundesbank in Germany. There is no time limit.
You can exchange your old Austrian schillings for euros at any branch of Oesterreichische National Bank in Austria. No time limit here either.
These are the only banks you can use for this purpose in each country.
Posted by
OP
maitland, Fl., USA
64 posts
Many thanks for all your help.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Here are the addresses where you can exchange old DM coins into Euros. Keep in mind: Deutsche Bundesbank is not the same as Deutsche Bank. Bundesbank means Federal Reserve and they've got outlets here: http://www.bundesbank.de/hv/hv.en.php