Catalogue of procedures

Metallic coins are resistant due to the material used in their manufacture. However, their prolonged use or other circumstances can cause damage affecting their characteristics and make them difficult to be identified. These coins are damaged.

People or entities with damaged coins can present them at the branches of the Banco de España or, when applicable, at their credit institution for its recognition and exchange.

The maximum amount of coins that can be presented at the branches of the Banco de España is 2,000 coins per person per day. Coins must be presented separated by denomination, and when the volume of coins of a denomination is equal to or greater than indicated below, they must be presented in closed transparent bags: 1€ and 2€ coins in bags of 500 pieces per bag; 0.50€, 0.20€, and 0.10€ coins in bags of 1,000 pieces; and 0.05€, 0.02€, and 0.01€ coins in bags of 2,000 pieces.

Each bag must contain: 1) the identification of the person making the delivery; 2) the value and denomination of the contents; and 3) when the coins have been treated with chemicals or other hazardous substances, a declaration about the substances used.

Coins that are very deteriorated (bent, holed, stained with grease or liquids, or with any other clearly visible deterioration that prevents mechanized processing) must be presented separately from the rest of the coins.

When coins are not presented as described or when their reception may pose a health risk to the personnel responsible for their processing, their acceptance will be refused.

If the quantity and status of the coins allow their counting and recognition at the time of their presentation, the Banco de España will exchange them at that time. When this is not possible, the presenter must complete the form "Solicitud de admision de moneda deteriorada para su canje" and deliver the coins to the Banco de España, which, after analysis, will pay the corresponding amount.

As a general rule, the Bank of Spain will reject the reimbursement of coins that have been altered, either deliberately or by a process that would be reasonably expected to have the effect of altering them.

For example, coins subjected to processes such as those applied in waste incineration plants or metal recycling plants, those whose deterioration has been caused by intentional mechanical damage or alteration for decorative, artistic, or advertising purposes, and 1€ and 2€ coins that have the ring separated from the nucleus or that appear to have been recomposed, will not be reimbursed.

Metallic coins may also, exceptionally, have a manufacturing defect. In these cases, defective coins are considered legitimate but not suitable for circulation and they are exchanged at the branches of the Banco de España. In the presentation of these coins, the previous presentation limit and the previously described packaging and presentation requirements will not apply.

Any natural person or legal entity holding damaged or defective coins.

It is necessary to make an appointment  to carry out this procedure.

Damaged and defective coins can be exchanged at the Banco de España building in Madrid (Calle Alcalá 48) and its branch offices.

In the section "Other useful information" you can find the details of all the branch offices of the Banco de España.