Close-up: Carlos & Danny's Foreign Currency

Any time we come back from a trip with foreign currency, we place it in a little woven container that grandma bought us in 1984, or so. We returned on Tuesday from a friend's wedding in Jamaica - our first time there. After emptying our pockets, we put the Jamaican coins in our little container (which we had totally forgotten was also from Jamaica), and started looking at all the currency we'd collected over time.

Then we thought of what other people might do with bits of money after returning home, and we immediately remembered Carlos & Danny's display in their wonderfully rich, bright kitchen.

And here's my little way, a method I've stuck to for years:

What do the rest of you do with leftover foreign currency?

Comments (13)

Put the coins in a little dish too. And gave the paper to a friend going over for opening spending cash (taxis, metro, etc.)

posted by Lady J on May 3rd 2007 at 10:14am
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i only keep the coins and not paper money. the coins make for a great display. i haven't done it yet. but i wanted to post up a map on my wall and pin the coins to their corresponding countries.

posted by mei on May 3rd 2007 at 10:27am
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I get rid of extra foreign currency - I try to give it away to kids, but I'll give it to anyone who wants it. Otherwise it's just clutter.

posted by Anne in Chicago on May 3rd 2007 at 10:34am
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I don't have any foreign currency because I can't afford to go anywhere.

posted by SpaceMonkeyX on May 3rd 2007 at 10:46am
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Find a tall clear glass vase and fill it with the coins.

posted by jenalyn on May 3rd 2007 at 10:55am
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SpaceMonkeyX - would you like mine?

posted by Anne in Chicago on May 3rd 2007 at 11:33am
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Anne, I have a compromise for you - I'm willing to go to other countries in your stead and collect the currency you would otherwise be giving away. Let me know if that works for you...

posted by SpaceMonkeyX on May 3rd 2007 at 11:43am
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Sounds great, but only if I can sit at your desk and do your work while you're gone. Don't forget the camera!

posted by Anne in Chicago on May 3rd 2007 at 12:11pm
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I usually use it to accidentally jam up commercial washing machines.

posted by stonelake on May 3rd 2007 at 12:47pm
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My sixth grade social studies teacher used to give us foreign coins for answering certain questions correctly. My little sister is now a fifth grade teacher and I keep meaning to give her my stash so she can do the same thing. For now I just have them in plastic baggies.

posted by estasusana on May 3rd 2007 at 6:13pm
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add it to the photo album with other images from the trip....

posted by k in ditmas on May 4th 2007 at 6:55am
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I glue magnets to the back of the coins and use them on the fridge.

posted by lindadc on May 4th 2007 at 10:05am
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Our local boutique grocery store has a huge transparent collection box for leftover foreign currency near the front door. It's quite an eye catching piece and when it starts to get full they donate all the cash to the local children's hospital.

The whole idea makes me happy. :)

posted by Brent Rockwood on May 5th 2007 at 7:47pm
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