Abstract: A device for counting and/or sorting coins (1) being fed in an regular sequence on a guiding track (4), with their borders (2) resting against a guiding edge (3), with a coin identification unit (5). The identification unit includes an optical device for the determination of coin diameters (d). The optical device has a light source (6) and light-sensitive sensor (7) opposite to coin (1), with respect to a main coin face. The sensor transforms irradiated light into electrical signals and is adapted as a CCD element (7). The light source includes an emission source (8) and optical elements (9, 10) for the generation of a light beam being directed in parallel and orthogonally to a main coin face. The lateral extension of the light beam and the arrangement of CCD element (7) according to coin diameters (d) to be detected is configured such that only part of the CCD element (7) can be shaded by a coin (1) to be detected.

Abstract: Device for recognizing coins based on their di-electric surface properties by radiating electromagnetic radiation by a transmitter onto a coin, which is reflected from the surface of the coin and received by a receiver which transforms the reflected electromagnetic radiation into a measuring signal, said signal is then evaluated by an evaluator unit in which a wavelength-selective evaluating signal is generated and compared to wavelength-selective comparison bands.