Torn banknotes, notes withdrawn from circulation or former national currencies: not all of them are worth the same at the counter. Here is what a bureau de change can actually take back, and in which cases you need to go through a central bank.
You come across some banknotes at the bottom of a drawer, in pounds, dollars or Swiss francs, sometimes crumpled, stained or brought back from a trip long ago. One question keeps coming up: do they still have any value, and will a bureau de change agree to exchange them? The answer depends on three distinct situations that you need to learn to recognise.
Three cases not to be confused
Before making the trip, identify which category your banknotes belong to. This avoids pointless journeys and helps you have realistic expectations.
- The damaged banknote: it belongs to a series that is still current, but it is torn, stained, written on, faded or partially burnt.
- The old (withdrawn) banknote: a note of a former type that is no longer issued, but which the issuing central bank continues to exchange.
- The demonetised banknote: a currency that has lost all legal tender status, often after the introduction of the euro or a monetary reform.
What a bureau de change can take back
A bureau de change like Paris Change handles current, valid and resaleable currencies. In concrete terms, we take back without difficulty clean and genuine banknotes of the main currencies we handle, among our more than 53 currencies. A slightly crumpled banknote, or one with a small tear and no missing material, generally poses no problem at all.
On the other hand, a bureau de change is not a central bank: it cannot credit a banknote that it will not be able to put back into circulation. Heavily mutilated notes, those glued back together from several pieces, or currencies that are no longer legal tender, often have to go through the issuing institution of the country concerned. This is a matter of honesty and regulation, not of ill will: we would rather tell you straight away than keep you waiting for nothing.
Damaged banknotes: the general logic
Most central banks apply a simple principle: a damaged banknote retains its value as long as a sufficient part of the note remains and stays identifiable. For the US dollar, for example, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing reimburses mutilated banknotes through a dedicated procedure when more than half of the note is presented. Damaged euro banknotes are exchanged by the Banque de France and the other national banks of the euro area according to comparable rules, in particular when more than half of the note is presented or when the destruction of the remainder can be proven.
A few useful reflexes: never throw away the fragments, do not try to aggressively glue a banknote back together, and keep the pieces in a pouch. A banknote that has been written on or stamped remains in principle valid as long as it stays perfectly recognisable.
Old and demonetised currencies: real-world cases
This is where surprises are most frequent. A few real and verifiable examples:
- The French franc: the exchange of old franc banknotes at the Banque de France ended definitively on 17 February 2012. These notes today have nothing more than a collector's value.
- The Deutsche Mark: the Bundesbank, for its part, continues to exchange marks with no deadline, which makes it a particularly favourable case.
- The pound sterling: the old paper £20 and £50 notes have been withdrawn from circulation. They are no longer accepted in shops but can still be exchanged directly with the Bank of England; only the polymer versions now circulate.
- The US dollar: a notable advantage, Federal Reserve notes issued since 1914 remain legally valid, even the older designs.
The golden rule: each country sets its own deadlines. The same currency can be fully exchangeable on one side of the border and worthless on the other. In case of doubt about an old note, it is better to check with the issuing central bank before making any trip.
Our advice before you make the trip
To save time and avoid disappointment at the counter, apply these few simple principles:
- First check whether the currency is still legal tender in its country of origin.
- Present clean and complete banknotes: they are taken back immediately.
- For a very damaged or demonetised note, anticipate a possible trip through the central bank concerned.
- In case of doubt, contact us with a precise description (currency, type of note, condition): we will honestly tell you what can be taken back in the shop.
Approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), Paris Change exchanges your currencies commission-free, in its single shop at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Open 7 days a week, our team guides you precisely, banknote in hand, towards the best solution.
Frequently asked questions
Does a bureau de change take back a torn banknote?
Yes, in most cases, if the banknote belongs to a current series, remains genuine and identifiable, and does not show any significant missing material. A heavily mutilated note, however, is a matter for the issuing central bank.
Can I still exchange my old French francs?
No. The exchange of franc banknotes at the Banque de France ended on 17 February 2012. Today they have nothing more than a possible collector's value.
How do I know if my currency is demonetised?
Check with the central bank of the country concerned, as each state sets its own deadlines. You can also describe your banknotes to us precisely: we will tell you what can be taken back.
Unsure about some old or damaged banknotes? Describe them to us and come to the shop at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel: our team will tell you straight what we can take back, commission-free and with complete transparency.
