Yes, you can take coins to the bank, but most banks have limits and may charge a fee

Banks accept coins, but they treat them differently than paper money. Most banks will take your coins for free if you bring them in a standard coin wrapper or roll — the paper tubes you can buy at the bank or get free when you exchange coins. However, if your coins are loose or in a bag, many banks will charge you a fee to count and process them, usually between $5 and $10 depending on the amount.

The easiest path is to ask your bank directly about their coin policy before you bring them in. Some banks have stopped accepting loose coins altogether, especially after the pandemic when coin shortages made handling them more difficult. Others still welcome them but prefer you to use their coin-counting machine first, which may or may not charge a fee depending on whether you're a customer.

If your bank charges a fee or won't take coins at all, you have other options that may cost you nothing.

Key Takeaways

  • Coins in standard paper wrappers are usually accepted free at your bank, but loose coins often come with a counting fee of $5 to $10.
  • Call your bank before you go to confirm they still accept coins and what form they need to be in.
  • Coin-counting machines at grocery stores and pharmacies are free for customers but take a percentage cut (usually 8 to 10 percent) if you're not a member.
  • Wrapping coins yourself in paper rolls takes time but costs nothing and is accepted at any bank.
  • Some banks offer free coin counting only to account holders, so membership status affects whether there's a charge.

How to wrap coins yourself before taking them to the bank

Wrapping coins yourself is free and guarantees your bank will accept them without a fee. You can buy empty coin wrappers at most banks, office supply stores, or online for a few dollars per pack. Each wrapper holds a standard amount: pennies go 50 to a roll, nickels 40, dimes 50, and quarters 40.

Sort your coins by type first, then stack them in the wrapper and fold the ends closed. It takes time if you have a lot of coins, but it removes any question about whether your bank will charge you. When you bring wrapped coins to the bank, you can deposit them into your account the same way you would paper money, or exchange them for bills if you prefer.

Free coin-counting machines at stores

Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and laundromats have coin-counting machines you can use for free if you're a customer. Coinstar machines are the most common brand — you'll find them in supermarkets like Safeway, Kroger, and Whole Foods, as well as in some CVS and Walgreens locations. If you use the machine and take your coins out as cash, there's no fee.

The catch is that if you want the machine to give you a gift card instead of cash, Coinstar takes a percentage cut — usually around 8 to 10 percent of the total. For example, if you have $20 in coins, you might get a $18 gift card. If you take the cash instead, you keep all of it, but you then have to take that cash to your bank or deposit it another way.

Not all stores have these machines, so call ahead or check the Coinstar website locator to find one near you.

When your bank charges a fee for loose coins

If you bring coins to the bank in a bag or loose in a container, the bank has to count them by hand or run them through a machine, which takes staff time. That's why many banks charge a fee — usually $5 to $10 depending on how many coins you have. Some banks waive the fee for account holders but charge non-customers.

Before you pay a fee, ask whether the bank will let you use their coin-counting machine yourself for free. Some branches have a self-service machine in the lobby that customers can use without charge. If your bank doesn't offer that, wrapping the coins yourself or using a store machine is almost always cheaper than paying the bank's fee.

Banks that have stopped accepting coins

A small number of banks stopped accepting coins during and after the 2020 coin shortage, when the Federal Reserve had trouble distributing coins to banks. Most have resumed, but a few have not. If your bank is one of them, they will tell you at the teller window or when you call.

If your bank won't take coins, your options are to use a store coin-counting machine, wrap them and take them to a different bank, or save them in a jar until you have enough to make it worth the trip. There's no law requiring banks to accept coins, so they can set their own policy.

What happens after you deposit coins at the bank

Once you deposit coins into your account, they're treated like any other deposit. The money shows up in your account balance, and you can withdraw it as paper money or use your debit card to spend it. If you deposited the coins in person at a teller window, the transaction is usually complete the same day. If you used an ATM or mobile deposit, the timing depends on your bank's processing schedule.

You don't need to do anything special to prepare coins for deposit beyond wrapping them or making sure they're clean and in good condition. Coins that are heavily damaged, foreign, or no longer in circulation may be rejected, but standard U.S. coins in normal wear are fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a customer of the bank to deposit coins?

Most banks require you to have an account with them to deposit coins at the teller window. If you don't have an account, you can still use a coin-counting machine at a grocery store or pharmacy, or ask the bank if they'll exchange coins for cash without requiring an account.

What if some of my coins are foreign or really old?

Banks will reject foreign coins and coins no longer in circulation. U.S. coins minted before 1964 that contain silver are worth more than face value and should be taken to a coin dealer instead. Standard U.S. coins from 1965 onward are accepted at banks regardless of age.

Can I deposit coins through an ATM?

Most ATMs do not accept coins — they only take paper money and checks. Some newer ATMs at larger banks can accept coins, but this is not common. Call your bank to ask whether any of their ATMs have coin-deposit capability.

Is there a limit to how many coins I can deposit?

There's no legal limit, but banks may ask you to wrap coins in standard rolls if you have more than a few dollars' worth. If you have a very large amount, call ahead so the bank can plan for it and make sure they have enough staff available.

What's the difference between a coin wrapper and a coin roll?

They're the same thing — a paper tube designed to hold a specific number of coins. "Wrapper" and "roll" are used interchangeably. You fill it with coins, fold the ends, and it's ready to deposit.