Abstract: A vending machine having a plurality of helically-wound dispensing coils with merchandise items disposed between adjacent coil convolutions is provided with a coil operating system movable along X-Y axes. A first drive motor rotates a vertically-oriented shaft to reciprocate a traveler movable thereon and supporting a horizontally-disposed member. A second drive motor and a counter-balancing weight, mounted adjacent to the ends of the member, are interconnected by a second shaft rotatably secured to the second motor and the weight. A horizontally-movable traveler carrying a dispensing coil actuator reciprocates along the second shaft. A control unit responds to signals from a coin-operated merchandise selector to move both travelers, vertically and horizontally, respectively, to position the actuator adjacent to the dispensing coil for the selected item. Operation of the actuator motor rotates the coil to dispense the item.