Abstract: A coin hopper having an optical-electrical coin sensor with a light source and a light detector is provided. The coin hopper includes a coin transport disc, a coin trough, and a coin payout chute. The coin sensor is secured to the hopper and is proximally located to the coin payout chute. The sensor is configured such that the light detector is substantially adjacent the coin transport disc and the light source is spaced apart from the coin transport disc. The sensor is operatively connected to the coin hopper control circuitry which shuts down the hopper after the appropriate number of coins is dispensed. The hopper may also include circuitry which, in conjunction with the light source, provides a pulsed or intermittent beam of light.