Abstract: The coin identification device comprises a gravity fed chute structure having an opening for receiving a coin to be identified, walls to guide the coin as it moves through the chute and an opening for the coin to exit. A wake-up circuit with sensing coils mounted near the chute opening provides an output signal when the presence of a coin is detected. Two coin sensing circuits, each having an oscillator with a particular coil arrangement are used to sense the characteristics of the coin passing through them. The first coin sensing circuit includes a coil arrangement having a coil mounted on the chute with its axis in the direction of the coin path such that the coin will pass through it and forming part of a first oscillator to create lines of flux parallel to the coin path.