How to Get Euro Coins In the U.S.?

[Daniel A]

Banks in the US generally do not sell Euro Coinage, only paper currency which makes the smallest Euro denomination €5.  I want to get some one- and two-Euro coins as sometimes €5 is too much to tip a porter, waiter etc.  When on cruise excursions and at foreign ports, banks are not generally accessible or easy to find.  Does anybody know how to get €1 and €2 coins in advance of leaving the U.S.?

[Mary229]

Ask friends, family and neighbors? If I can’t gather a handful that way I usually stop in the airport and buy something like a water or snack and use the largest denomination I am carrying. 

[simplelife]

That popular auto club has "tip packs" of euro coins. Not all locations have them, but you can call or look on their website to see where they do,

[NoBoozeCruise]

Where in Europe is €5 too much to tip? 

 

Bring notes, buy a small item and get change asking for coins. €50 is the most common note and you can use it to buy something inexpensive like gum or coffee from anywhere no problem. 

 

Just a quick update. European and American wages are similar.