A travel specialist has shed light on the fate of the money millions leave in fountains worldwide each year. While tourists occasionally wonder where their coins end up, the reality is surprisingly positive.

Many visitors partake in the long-standing custom of throwing coins and making a wish at places like the Trevi Fountain in Rome, which is estimated to collect about €1.5 million annually. But the question that some ask is, what happens to this money once the crowds disappear?

Mario Van Poppel, the founder and owner of travel money firm Leftover Currency explained: “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 added that, in smaller fountains, the coins can “just sit there for long periods”. Sometimes, this money is put towards the upkeep of the fountain itself, reports the Mirror.

Visitors at the Trevi Fountain are commonly told to toss one coin over their left shoulder with their right hand. According to popular belief, this act ensures your return to Rome.

The world famous fountain in Italy gets millions of visitors a year coming to make a wish and toss a coin
The world famous fountain in Italy gets millions of visitors a year coming to make a wish and toss a coin (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

The act of tossing coins into water bodies is a time-honoured tradition, immortalised in popular culture such as Disney’s ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. It’s rooted in the belief of making an offering to deities or supernatural forces in hopes of receiving good fortune, health, or the fulfilment of a wish.

While Rome’s Trevi Fountain may be the most iconic spot for this ritual, it’s a practice held dear at numerous other sites worldwide. For instance, the Bellagio lake in Las Vegas, USA, collected about £8,500 in a single year, then donated to the homebuilding charity Habitat for Humanity.

Disneyland in Florida’s fountains reportedly gather up to £22,000 annually, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. However, not every fountain is open to coin tosses; visitors to the 9/11 memorial in New York are discouraged from doing so.

Fountains in popular tourist attraction Disneyland in Florida are said to rake in up to £22,000 per year
Fountains in popular tourist attraction Disneyland in Florida are said to rake in up to £22,000 per year (Image: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Coins left in water over extended periods can suffer damage, particularly those composed of copper or nickel. Mr Van Poppel noted: “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 the exchange of foreign coins, old banknotes, and obsolete currencies. Whether these coins are found at the bottom of a fountain or tucked away in a drawer, Leftover Currency ensures they are cleaned, sorted and exchanged for usable cash.”