Most banks accept coin deposits, but the process depends on whether you sort and roll them yourself

You can deposit coins at your bank in two ways: bring them loose in a bag or container, or roll them yourself in paper coin wrappers. Most banks accept both methods, but policies vary by branch and by how much you're depositing. Some branches have coin-counting machines that sort and wrap coins for you; others require you to do it beforehand or will charge a fee if you don't. A few banks have stopped accepting loose coins altogether, so calling your branch first saves a wasted trip.

The key difference is time and convenience. Loose coins are faster for you but slower for the bank teller. Rolled coins are ready to process immediately. If you're depositing a large amount—say, more than $50 in coins—most banks prefer rolls. If it's a small amount, loose coins are usually fine, though the teller may ask you to wait while they count.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your bank branch before you go; some no longer accept loose coins, and policies on fees vary by location.
  • Coin wrappers are sold at most banks for free or a small cost, and rolling coins yourself takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on the amount.
  • If your branch has a coin-counting machine, you can dump loose coins in and it will sort, count, and wrap them for you in minutes.
  • Rolled coins must follow standard counts: pennies in rolls of 50, nickels 40, dimes 50, quarters 40, and the wrapper must be sealed and labeled with the total amount.
  • Deposits go into your account the same day if you deposit before the bank's cutoff time, usually 2 p.m. on weekdays.

How to roll coins yourself

Coin wrappers are paper sleeves designed to hold a specific number of coins. You can get them free or for a small fee at your bank, or buy them at office supply stores or online. Each wrapper holds a standard count: 50 pennies ($0.50), 40 nickels ($2.00), 50 dimes ($5.00), 40 quarters ($10.00), and 50 half-dollars ($25.00) or dollar coins ($50.00) if you have them.

Sort your coins by denomination first. Stack them in the wrapper, starting at one end and sliding them in until the wrapper is full and tight. Fold the ends of the wrapper closed. Write the total amount on the outside of each wrapper with a pen—for example, "$5.00" on a dime roll. This takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on how many coins you have. When you're done, bring the rolls to the teller and deposit them like cash.

Using a coin-counting machine at your bank

Many banks have a coin-counting machine in the lobby or at the teller desk. You dump your loose coins into the machine, and it sorts them by denomination, counts them, and prints out a receipt showing the total. Some machines also dispense paper wrappers and wrap the coins for you automatically. The whole process takes 5 to 10 minutes.

A few banks charge a small fee—usually 5 to 10 percent of the total—if you use the machine without a checking or savings account with them. If you have an account, the service is typically free. Ask the teller whether your branch has a machine and whether there's a fee before you start. If there is a fee and it's steep, rolling the coins yourself is free and only takes a little longer.

What happens if you bring loose coins without rolling them

The teller can accept loose coins, but they will need to count them by hand or run them through a counter. This takes longer than processing rolled coins, and some tellers may ask you to wait or come back later. A few branches will ask you to roll them yourself before they'll accept them, or they'll charge you a fee to process them.

If you're depositing a small amount—under $20—most tellers will count loose coins without complaint. If it's a large amount, expect the teller to either ask you to roll them or to tell you the fee. It's always worth asking first: "Can I deposit these loose, or do you need them rolled?" The teller will tell you the branch's policy on the spot.

Depositing coins into your account

Bring your rolled coins or loose coins to the teller along with your deposit slip or debit card. The teller will count or verify the amount, add it to your deposit, and process it like any other cash deposit. The money goes into your account the same day if you deposit before the bank's cutoff time, which is usually 2 p.m. on weekdays. Deposits made after that time or on weekends typically post the next business day.

If you're depositing a very large amount of coins—more than $1,000—the bank may flag it for review under federal anti-money-laundering rules. This doesn't mean anything is wrong; it's a routine check. The bank will ask you to fill out a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) stating the source of the coins. This is normal and takes a few minutes. Your deposit will still go through.

Coins from other countries or damaged coins

Banks do not accept foreign coins or damaged U.S. coins. Foreign coins have no value in the U.S. banking system and cannot be deposited. If you have foreign coins, you can exchange them at a currency exchange service, sell them online, or keep them as collectibles.

Damaged U.S. coins—coins that are bent, corroded, or missing parts—may be rejected by the teller or the coin counter. If a coin is too damaged to identify or count, the bank won't accept it. You can exchange damaged coins for new ones at the Federal Reserve, but this is a separate process and takes longer. For most purposes, just set aside any obviously damaged coins and deposit the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit coins at an ATM?

No. ATMs accept only paper bills, not coins. You must go to a teller inside the branch to deposit coins. Some banks are testing coin-deposit ATMs, but they are not yet common. Call your branch to ask if they have one.

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

Yes. You must have a checking or savings account at the bank to deposit coins into it. If you don't have an account, you can open one, but you cannot deposit coins into someone else's account or into a bank where you have no account.

What if the coin counter at my bank is broken?

Ask the teller if you can roll the coins yourself and come back, or if they can count them by hand. If the machine is down and the branch won't count loose coins, you have two options: roll them yourself using wrappers the bank provides, or visit another branch of the same bank that has a working machine.

How much does it cost to deposit coins?

Depositing rolled coins is free at most banks if you have an account. Using a coin-counting machine is also usually free for account holders. Some banks charge 5 to 10 percent if you use the machine without an account, or if you bring loose coins and ask the teller to count them. Always ask the teller about fees before you start.

Can I deposit coins from a business or charity collection?

Yes. Bring the coins to your bank and deposit them like any other coins. If the amount is very large—over $1,000—the bank will ask you to fill out a Currency Transaction Report stating the source. This is routine and does not delay the deposit.