Exactly what happens to all the coins thrown in fountains at holiday hotspots

Millions of people visit these world-famous tourist attractions every year - but what actually happens to the coins they leave behind?

A travel money expert has confirmed what happens to the hundreds of thousands of pounds in coins that tourists throw into iconic fountains each year. People have their thoughts about what really happens to the cash - and it's quite heartwarming in some cases.

Many people who visit the likes of Rome’s Trevi Fountain like to take part in the age-old tradition of tossing a coin and making a wish. This spot alone is thought to make around €1.5million a year

But with such massive sums of cash involved, it poses the obvious question. What happens to it when the tourists go home?

Mario Van Poppel, founder and owner of travel money specialists Leftover Currency, said: “It’s a cherished tradition to throw a coin in fountains such as the Trevi Fountain in Rome or New York’s Central Park. Many people do it for good luck or to make a wish and it’s a tradition that sees millions of pounds thrown into fountains worldwide each year.

“And if you’re wondering what happens to all that cash, the answer is that these fountains are regularly mined for the coins and the money eventually goes towards charity or to the upkeep of the fountain. In the Trevi Fountain’s case, the money is donated to Roman Catholic charity Caritas, which uses it to fund projects such as soup kitchens, homeless shelters and a supermarket for those in need."

He continued that, in smaller fountains, it’s not uncommon for the money to "just sit there for long periods". In some cases, it can be used towards maintaining the fountain to keep it functioning.

Throwing coins into fountains or wells is a tradition that has endured for centuries and has been nodded towards in pop culture references such as Disney’s ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. For many people, it stems from the idea of leaving an offering to spiritual forces in exchange for good luck, health, or a wish to be granted.

While the Trevi Fountain in Italy’s capital city is arguably the most famous example, it is a tradition that is cherished in many other water features across the world. The Bellagio lake in Las Vegas, USA, raked in around £8,500 one year, and the money was donated to homebuilding charity Habitat for Humanity.

Fountains in the popular tourist attraction Disneyland in Florida are said to earn up to £22,000 per year, which is donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. However, not all fountains accept coins, and visitors to the 9/11 memorial in New York are urged not to.

Coins left in water for too long are also susceptible to damage, especially those made from the metals copper or nickel. Mr Van Poppel added: “The process of cleaning and sorting these coins can be laborious, but it’s a necessary step to ensure that the money can continue its journey, whether by being recycled, reminted, or exchanged.

“Leftover Currency offers a unique service that breathes new life into money that might otherwise be forgotten, " Specialising in exchanging foreign coins, old banknotes, and obsolete currencies. Whether the coins come from the bottom of a fountain or the back of a drawer, Leftover Currency ensures they are cleaned, sorted and exchanged for usable cash.”