Find the right coin counting machine for your needs
- Major national banks (like Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Capital One, PNC Bank, and TD Bank) no longer offer coin-counting machines.
- Local community banks and credit unions are more likely to have coin-counting machines, often charging fees for non-customers.
- Banks generally provide free coin wrappers to both customers and non-customers for rolling coins.
- You can often exchange rolled coins for free at your own bank. Non-customers may face limits or refusals, though some banks like Chase have policies to accept up to a certain amount (like $200) if rolled.
- Coinstar kiosks at supermarkets offer fee-free exchanges for eGift Cards or charitable donations, but charge a fee (which can vary) for a cash voucher.
Remember when you could take your piggy bank full of coins to the local savings institution and have them counted out for crisp bills or deposits?
Sometimes those coins could accumulate to hundreds of dollars, with annual totals rivaling the cash rewards from cash back credit cards.
Fortunately, those days aren’t completely gone.
We have identified a few banks that still provide this service, albeit with a possible small fee.
In that case, we also show you other free ways to convert your coins.
Which banks have free coin-counting machines?
Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Capital One, PNC Bank, TD Bank, and other major national banks no longer provide coin-counting machines to customers or to non-customers.
The big banks claim that these machines cost more to maintain than the value that is delivered to customers.
The financial institutions that are most likely to operate coin-counting machines for the public are local community banks and credit unions (often known for providing better personal customer service).
Additionally, you might need to be a customer in order to use these machines.
Otherwise, expect to pay a small fee for using the service as a non-customer.
Banks with free coin counting machines
| Bank | Customers | Non-customers |
|---|---|---|
| JBT | Free | 5% fee |
| Manasquan Bank | Free | - |
| Home State Bank | Free | 10% fee |
| First County Bank | Free | - |
| Shelby Savings Bank | Free | - |
| Cape Bank | Free | Free |
| Hancock County Savings Bank | Free | - |
| Republic Bank (NJ/PA) | Free | Free |
| People's United Bank | Free | 11% fee |
| American Eagle Federal Credit Union | Free | Free |
| Westerra Credit Union | Free | - |
| Chase | No Counters | |
| Citibank | No Counters | |
| Bank of America | No Counters | |
| Capital One | No Counters | |
| TD Bank | No Counters | |
| PNC Bank | No Counters | |
| Truist | No Counters |
Banks that accept coin deposits in coin wrappers
Our research confirmed that coin wrappers are provided for free by all banks, regardless of customer status.
These color-coded paper wrappers are used to roll coins in specific quantities, typically 40 to 50 coins for denominations of 25 cents or less. Wrappers for 50-cent and one-dollar coins are also available.
Once your coins are rolled, you can bring them to a bank for deposit or exchange. This service is free for bank customers.
However, the process is not as simple for non-customers—continue reading below for more details.
Tip: Check your quarters! Before 1965, U.S. quarters were made of 90% silver and can be worth significantly more than their face value.
Exchange coins for free at banks
Although every bank will give out free coin wrappers, not every bank will accept your rolled coins if you are a non-customer.
Chase Bank has rather generous policies for non-customers, who can exchange up to $200 in coins as long as they’re in coin wrappers.
If you have over $200 in coins, there’s a simple trick: visit multiple Chase branches.
Did you know? It costs more than a penny to produce a penny. In 2021, it cost $0.0210 to produce one $0.01 coin, according to an annual report by the U.S. Mint. The high cost of penny production has led many people to advocate phasing out the coin denomination.
While Chase will happily accept your coins, other banks I contacted will not.
Most have a policy of not converting coins to bills for non-customers.
In actuality, however, tellers would perform the coin exchange if the coins were wrapped and for a small amount between $10 and $20.
Again, you can use the same trick here by visiting multiple bank branches.
If you have hundreds of dollars in coins, be prepared to travel to many different banks.
Otherwise, your other option would be to just open an account with a bank that has a coin-counting machine — not exactly the best option, in my opinon.
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Coin-counting alternatives: Coinstar and other stores
If a bank counter or a teller at your financial institution isn’t a viable option for turning your spare change into cash, there are other convenient and popular alternatives. The most widely available option is a Coinstar kiosk, which can typically be found at major grocery stores and supermarkets. While Coinstar offers a quick way to convert your coins, it is important to know the fee structure, especially if you want a cash voucher instead of a gift card.
Coinstar redemption
| Coin exchange option | Fee | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Cash voucher | 11.9% (fees can vary by location) | Turn in the cash voucher to a cashier |
| eGift Card | None | Gift code is printed on the receipt |
| Charitable donation | None | Donation is automatically made -- with a receipt for tax purposes |
If you want to convert your coins using a Coinstar kiosk and keep the full value of your change, you must choose one of the two fee-free options:
- Electronic gift card (eGift Card): This is the best option for retaining the coin’s full value because Coinstar waives the entire fee (which can be up to 11.9%) for this choice. You receive a voucher with a unique code for a specific retailer, such as Amazon.com, Starbucks, or The Home Depot, which is then used like any gift card.
- Charitable donation: You can donate the coins to one of Coinstar’s participating charities, such as the American Red Cross or UNICEF. While you do not pay a fee for the transaction, Coinstar does retain a percentage (typically 10% for national charities) from the donation amount. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes.
If you choose the cash voucher option, Coinstar charges a significant fee, which is listed as 11.9% (fees can vary by location). This means you would lose about $12 for every $100 in coins you exchange.
Gift cards and participating charities through Coinstar
| Branded eGift cards | Participating charities |
|---|---|
| AMC | American Red Cross |
| Amazon.com | Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals |
| Apple | Feeding America |
| Applebee's | Make-A-Wish |
| Cabela's | NAACP |
| Chili's Grill & Bar | The Humane Society of the United States |
| Domino's | UNICEF |
| DoorDash | United Way |
| GameStop | World Wildlife Foundation |
| GAP | |
| Hotels.com | |
| IHOP | |
| Lowe's | |
| Nike | |
| Outback Steakhouse | |
| Roblox | |
| Razer Gold | |
| Red Robin | |
| Southwest Airlines | |
| Starbucks | |
| Steam | |
| Texas Roadhouse | |
| The Home Depot |
Stores with coin counter machines
You are most likely to find a coin-counting machine, such as a Coinstar kiosk, at places you visit regularly: a grocery store or supermarket. Since these locations handle constant cash transactions, providing this service is convenient for both the store and the customer.
Note: Availability can vary, even within the same store chain. We suggest calling ahead to confirm the machine is available before making a trip.
Stores with Coinstar coin counter machines
| Stores |
|---|
| Wal-Mart |
| Winn Dixie |
| Food 4 Less |
| Vons |
| Ralphs |
| ShopRite |
| The Food Emporium |
| Safeway |
| Acme |
| Kroger |
| Jewel |
Frequently asked questions about coin counting machines
Where can I change in my coins for free?
You can cash in coins for free primarily at your local bank or credit union (often requiring you to roll them yourself). Alternatively, you can use a Coinstar kiosk if you opt for a fee-free eGift Card or a charitable donation instead of cash.
How much does Coinstar take out of $100?
If you redeem the $100 in coins in the form of electronic gift cards, Coinstar does not take any fees out of the transaction. If you redeem the $100 in coins for cash, Coinstar charges up to 12.9% + $0.99 per transaction.
Do banks have free coin-counting machines?
Most banks do not have free coin-counting machines anymore. It is best to call your local branch to confirm the availability of coin-counting machines.
Where is there a free coin machine?
Free coin-counting machines are primarily available at local community banks and credit unions for their customers. Major national banks no longer offer them. You can also use a Coinstar kiosk for free if you select an eGift Card or charitable donation instead of cash.
How much does Coinstar charge at Walmart?
For turning coins into a cash voucher at a Coinstar kiosk, the fee is typically up to 12.9% plus a $0.99 transaction fee of the total coin value, though this can vary by location. However, if you choose an eGift Card or a charitable donation, there is no fee from Coinstar, and you receive the full value of your coins for that option.
Is it worth taking coins to Coinstar?
Whether taking coins to Coinstar is worth it depends on what you want: it is highly convenient for cashing in unsorted change instantly, especially if you opt for a fee-free eGift Card or charitable donation. However, if you want cash, the service fee (typically up to 12.9% plus a transaction fee) makes it expensive compared to rolling coins yourself or using a free coin counter at a local bank or credit union.
