Features of banknote and coin exchange service

The free service of exchanging banknotes and coins applies exclusively to the Mexican currency and is available at specific commercial bank branches.

  • Service days and hours:
    • Banking business days, during the operating hours established by each participating bank branch.
  • Types of transactions:
    • Exchange of banknotes and coins for others of different denominations.
    • Exchange of banknotes and coins that are in the process of being withdrawn or demonetized, for their current equivalent value.
      “In the process of being withdrawn” means that banknotes and coins can still be used for payment, but, once they are returned to the banks, they are removed from circulation. They retain the denomination indicated on them.
      “Demonetized banknotes and coins” refer to the monetary unit that was valid until December 31, 1992, and whose current value equals their face value divided by 1,000. For example, a 10,000-peso banknote issued before 1993 has a current value of 10 pesos. You must collect a sufficient number of these pieces to exchange them for the equivalent amount in current denominations.
    • Evaluation of damaged banknotes and coins.
      If banknotes/coins are damaged but still retain their value, they will be exchanged for new ones in good condition. If there is any doubt regarding their validity, banknotes/coins will be sent to Banco de México for analysis. If they are confirmed to retain their value, the amount will be reimbursed through the financial institution that received them. If not, they will remain in custody of Banco de México, and their value will not be reimbursed.
  • Limit per transaction:
    • For customers of the financial institution: there are no limits on the amount or number of banknotes or coins per transaction.
    • For non-customers of the financial institution: a maximum of 3,000 Mexican pesos or 500 pieces per denomination.

Credit institutions must always provide banknotes and coins that are fit for circulation. If they occasionally do not have the requested denominations available, they may fulfill the exchange obligation by delivering banknotes and coins of the closest available denominations.

Pieces that are presumably counterfeit or altered can be sent free of charge to Banco de México for analysis through any commercial bank branch.

If you have any questions or complaints regarding this service, please dial 800-BANXICO (800 226 9426) or send an e-mail to dinero@banxico.org.mx

Customer service hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on banking business days.

General information

  • Banknotes and coins in the process of withdrawn from circulation keep their value. Once they are returned to the banks, they are separated so that they do not circulate again.
  • Demonetized banknotes and coins correspond to the previous monetary unit in effect until December 31st 1992, and their present value is equivalent to the indicated denomination divided by one thousand. For example: a demonetized ten-thousand peso banknote (prior to 1993) has a present value of ten pesos.
  • Presumably counterfeit banknotes and coins can be sent through any bank to Banco de México to be analyzed free of charge.
  • For any complaints or comments concerning any of these services, dial 800-BANXICO (800 226 9426) or send an email to dinero@banxico.org.mx

Background information