Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including
coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid
cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a
value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin
sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility
configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another
embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value
exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a
communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid
cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the
desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit
card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment,
the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.