Still possible to exchange old West German money (pre-Euro)?
I was stationed in West Germany in the 1980's and still have close to a hundred (West) German Deutschmarks in bills and coinage. If I visit Germany, can I exchange them for Euros, or are they now simply scrapbook fodder?
Best Answer
This differs per country, but Germany is quite serious about money and it will be possible at any branch of the Deutsche Bundesbank, indefinitely: https://www.bundesbank.de/Redaktion/EN/Standardartikel/Tasks/Cash_management/free_exchange_dm_euro.html?nsc=true&https=1
As you can read in that article, it is also possible to do this by mail, albeit at your own risk. And it may be hard to receive the resulting Euros in the US; I don't know what kind of check they send and whether you can cash it there.
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Can you still exchange German marks for euros?
Former national banknotes and coins, such as Deutsche Mark or Spanish pesetas, can in most cases still be exchanged for euro. This is done only by the national central banks.What can you do with old German money?
Although German mark notes and coins are no longer legal tender, most of those issued after June 20, 1948 can be exchanged for the equivalent value in euro at Deutsche Bundesbank branches or by post.How do I exchange old European money?
You can exchange your old currency at a central bank for a much longer period. Like retail banks, central banks might apply limits on the amount per transaction. Very old cash may not be exchangeable.Do deutschmarks still exist?
Deutschmark coins and banknotes were left in circulation until 2002, at which time they were taken out of circulation and ceased to be legal tender. The German central bank, the Deutsche Bundesbank, continues to allow the conversion of the Deutschmark into euros.Weak Euro falls to lowest in 20 years, hitting parity with US dollar | DW News
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Answer 2
If you are still in touch with someone from "back then", another option might be to ask them to exchange the money for you at their local bank. Many local banks still accept DM, although usually only from their customers, and often they have additional restrictions (e.g. bills only) or charge a fee. (Source: this article published in january in a local newspaper).
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