How do coin counters & sorters work, and are they accurate?

If you handle coins every day, counting them by hand is slow, repetitive, and easy to get wrong. A coin counter turns that long task into one that just takes a couple of minutes. But how do coin counters work, and can you trust the numbers they give you? Read along to find out how coin counters and sorters do their job, and just how accurate they really are.

How does a coin counter work?

It's easier than you might think. You simply pour your loose coins into the machine, and a rotating disc feeds them past a sensor one by one. That sensor counts each coin and keeps a running tally. Within seconds you know exactly how many coins have passed through - and what they're worth.

Because every coin is counted mechanically, the machine never gets tired and never loses track, unlike a person might. The best machines don't just count pieces either. They can count and sort mixed denominations and give you their total value, not just the quantity.

How fast coin counters operate varies per model. Some count a couple of hundred coins a minute for everyday use, while others handle well over two thousand for high-volume counting. Choosing a machine with a large counting capacity and hopper means that you’ll have to perform fewer top-ups when you're processing a big batch.

Counting only, or counting and sorting?

Not every machine does the same job, so what are the differences between regular coin counters and coin counters with sorting features?

A coin counter totals the coins you feed in. A coin counter and sorter goes a step further: as it counts, it simultaneously sorts the coins by denomination, placing each denomination in its own cup so they come out sorted and ready to bag, roll, or bank. As these machines feature sorting discs that are designed to fit specific denominations, they can only be used for one currency (such as GBP). Even though they can only process one currency, they still recognise and count the value of each denomination, giving you a total overview of your number of coins, and what they are worth.

Coin counters (that only count) are often suitable for multiple currencies. But they usually do not count their value. As they are not designed to recognise what coin they are counting, it is up to you to sort them first, and calculate their worth by multiplying the number of coins by their value. Still easy maths.

Which one is right for you comes down to two questions: do you need sorting as well as counting, and how much cash are you handling? Coin counters are perfect for counting huge quantities, while coin counters and sorters are more effective for everyday tasks.

Are coin counters accurate?

In one word, yes. Modern coin counters are far more accurate than counting by hand. A good machine measures every coin in great detail. In practice, that means your daily totals match the cash in the drawer.

Getting the most accurate results

To ensure that you always get the most accurate results it is important to keep you machine clean and clear form any obstructions. Always make sure that your coin stack only contains items that your coin counter can process. Foreign objects (such as paperclips) can get stuck and impact the performance of your machine. Luckily, they can be removed very easily, and you can continue the count as always.

Safescan coin counters and sorters

Safescan's range covers both types. The Safescan 1250 is a coin counters and sorter: it value counts and sorts your euro coins into cups in one pass, ready for your till or deposit. The Safescan 1550 is a high-volume counter for coins and (round) tokens that are already sorted, counting up to 2,300 items a minute.

Need to value count and sort your coins? Go for the Safescan 1250. Want to count large quantities super fast? The Safescan 1550 has got you covered. If you also need to count banknotes, a money counting scale weighs both coins and notes in one go. Take a look at our full range on the coin counters and sorters page.

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