
The UK's currency has undergone a modernisation process over the last five years, with the Bank of England withdrawing billions of old £1 coins, £5 and £10 notes from circulation. As a result, old £1 coins are no longer considered legal tender and cannot be spent in shops, pubs, or anywhere else. However, some banks and financial institutions still allow customers to deposit or exchange their old £1 coins. This is done at the discretion of the bank, as they are under no legal obligation to accept withdrawn coins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Banks legally accepting old £1 coins | Banks are not legally bound to accept old £1 coins once they are withdrawn from circulation |
| Exchange of old £1 coins | The Bank of England accepts old £1 coins for exchange |
| Banks accepting old £1 coins | Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds, Nationwide, Santander, and NatWest allow customers to deposit old £1 coins into their accounts |
| Post Office accepting old £1 coins | Larger Post Office branches accept demonetised coins in exchange for goods and services |
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What You'll Learn

Banks with old £1 coin exchange policies
Although old £1 coins are no longer considered legal tender, some banks still allow customers to deposit them into their accounts. However, banks are not legally required to accept them. Here are some banks in the United Kingdom with old £1 coin exchange policies:
- Barclays: Customers can exchange old coins in its branches. Amounts up to and including £100 can be exchanged, but larger amounts need to be deposited into a bank account.
- Lloyds Banking Group: Customers can deposit and exchange old coins into Bank of Scotland, Halifax, or Lloyds Bank accounts.
- HSBC: Old notes and coins can be deposited into customers' accounts.
- Nationwide: Accepts old coins from its existing customers, but they must be deposited into an account.
- Santander: Allows customers to deposit old coins into their accounts, according to MoneySavingExpert.
In addition to these banks, most high-street banks in the UK are generally willing to accept demonetised coins from their customers. Larger Post Office branches also usually accept demonetised coins for goods and services, although they are not legally obligated to do so.
For those with a significant amount of old coins, it may be necessary to visit multiple bank branches or consider opening an account with a bank that has a coin-counting machine. Some banks may also have limits on the number of old coins that can be exchanged at once.
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Post Offices that accept old £1 coins
Although old £1 coins are no longer legal tender, some banks and larger Post Office branches may still accept them. However, these institutions are under no legal obligation to do so, and their acceptance of old coins is entirely at their discretion.
The Post Office will allow customers to deposit old £1 coins and notes into a bank account, which can then be withdrawn and spent as new money. However, not all banks are signed up to receive cash deposits through the Post Office, so it is worth checking with your bank before attempting to deposit old coins in this way.
Larger Post Office branches are usually willing to accept demonetised coins in exchange for goods and services. Again, this is at their discretion, and they are not legally obligated to accept old coins.
It is worth noting that there may be limits to the amount of old coins that can be exchanged at a Post Office, and they may not accept large quantities.
If you have a significant number of old £1 coins, it may be more practical to contact your bank and enquire about their specific policies for returning old coins. Some banks, such as Barclays, Nationwide, and Santander, have been known to accept old coins from their customers, either by exchanging them for new tender or depositing them into accounts.
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Exchanging old £1 coins at the Bank of England
The Bank of England will only exchange old Bank of England banknotes. For information on coins, the public is directed to contact the Royal Mint. The Bank of England does, however, exchange damaged banknotes issued by the Bank of England. To exchange damaged foreign currency, the bank advises contacting the banknote issuer in the relevant country.
The Bank of England's counter at the Threadneedle Street building in London will only issue Elizabeth II banknotes. The bank does not produce or sell commemorative notes. The bank will exchange damaged banknotes providing at least half of the banknote remains. To do this, one needs to fill in a damaged banknote application form and post it to the Bank of England with all the remains of the banknote. One will also need to provide a proof of ID and address.
If you cannot get to London, you can exchange old banknotes with the Bank of England via post. You can fill out the post exchange form on the Bank of England website. The Bank of England accepts banknote exchanges by post with a completed application form. However, it stresses that money is sent at your own risk and the service is only suitable if you have very old banknotes that cannot be exchanged at the Post Office.
Most high-street banks in the United Kingdom are willing to accept demonetised coins from their customers. Banks are not legally required to accept old notes and coins once they have been withdrawn from circulation. However, some do continue to allow customers to deposit them into their accounts.
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Using old £1 coins in Gibraltar and the Isle of Man
Old £1 coins are no longer considered legal tender in the UK, but some high-street banks may still allow customers to deposit them into their accounts. These include Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, and Nationwide. However, these banks are under no legal obligation to accept the old coins, and their policies may have changed since the information was last updated. Therefore, it is advisable to contact your bank before attempting to deposit old £1 coins.
Now, regarding the use of old £1 coins in Gibraltar and the Isle of Man, there is limited information available. It appears that the focus is on the unique and valuable coins from Gibraltar and the Isle of Man, which are sought after by collectors and investors. These include crowns and other large coins featuring Elizabeth II and characters like Peter Rabbit, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. These coins are made of copper-nickel and are priced based on their rarity, age, and condition.
It is important to note that Gibraltar and the Isle of Man have their own currencies, which are different from the UK's currency. Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar pound, which is separate from the UK pound, and the Isle of Man uses its own Manx pound. Therefore, the old £1 coins from the UK may not be accepted as legal tender in Gibraltar or the Isle of Man.
However, it is worth mentioning that some areas in the UK, like Liverpool, have reported receiving Isle of Man coins in their change, and these coins have been accepted in local shops. This could be due to the proximity of Liverpool to the Isle of Man and the frequent ferry services between the two locations.
In summary, while old £1 coins from the UK may not be accepted as legal tender in Gibraltar or the Isle of Man, there is a possibility that some businesses or individuals may accept them, especially in areas with close ties to these territories.
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Commercial banks and old £1 coins
Commercial banks play a crucial role in the circulation of coins in the economy. They are responsible for ensuring that businesses and consumers have access to the coins they need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the flow of coins was disrupted as people stayed at home and coins accumulated in homes instead of being spent or deposited in banks.
In the United States, the Federal Reserve System, including the 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks, works to manage the distribution of coins. Commercial banks send excess coins to correspondent banks or directly to the Federal Reserve Banks, which store and distribute coins to meet the demands of businesses and consumers. The Federal Reserve Banks buy coins from the United States Mint, the sole legal manufacturer of coins in the country, and supply them to depository institutions like commercial banks, which then provide them to their customers.
In the United Kingdom, the Bank of England has been replacing old £1 coins with new, more durable, and harder-to-forge alternatives. While old £1 coins are no longer legal tender, some commercial banks still allow customers to deposit them into their accounts. Banks are not legally required to accept old coins, but many high-street banks in the UK, such as Barclays, Nationwide, and Santander, have been known to accept them. These banks often set their own policies and limits on exchanging old coins, and customers should contact their specific bank to understand its policies.
It is worth noting that some larger Post Office branches in the UK also accept demonetized coins in exchange for goods and services, providing an alternative option for individuals looking to exchange their old £1 coins. Additionally, individuals can exchange old coins directly with the Bank of England counter on Threadneedle Street in London or via post by filling out an exchange form.
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Frequently asked questions
Most high-street banks in the United Kingdom are willing to accept demonetised coins from their customers. However, they are under no legal obligation to do so.
The following banks have been known to accept old £1 coins: Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds, Nationwide, NatWest and Santander.
The process may vary depending on the bank and its policies. Some banks may allow you to exchange the coins for cash, while others may require you to deposit them into your bank account. It is recommended to contact your bank or visit their website to confirm their specific policies and procedures.
Yes, larger Post Office branches are usually willing to accept demonetised coins in exchange for goods and services. Additionally, the Bank of England in London accepts old notes and coins for exchange.
This may vary depending on the bank's policies. Some banks may only accept exchanges from existing customers, while others may allow exchanges for non-customers as well. It is recommended to contact the specific bank or refer to their website for their customer policies.











































