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.)

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.

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.

I don't have any foreign currency because I can't afford to go anywhere.

Find a tall clear glass vase and fill it with the coins.

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...

Sounds great, but only if I can sit at your desk and do your work while you're gone. Don't forget the camera!

I usually use it to accidentally jam up commercial washing machines.

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.

add it to the photo album with other images from the trip....

I glue magnets to the back of the coins and use them on the fridge.

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. :)