Coin Processing Facts: All You Need to Know About Coin Counters, Scales, and Sorters!

There is a whole world of coin and currency scales, coin counters, and coin sorters available on the market today. Knowing the difference between these cash handling products will help you decide which coin processing systems will work best for your business

This article will discuss what the distinction is between coin sorters, scales, and counters. It will also go over additional features available on some coin processing models that you may find helpful.

As well as talk about a reliable source for a wide variety of intelligent cash management items. Counters, Scales, and Sorters: The Difference When discussing coin processing, you will often hear about coin counters, coin and currency scales, and coin sorters.

These terms may seem like they can be used interchangeably, but they are not as similar as they seem. There are some unique differences in each of these items. Let’s look at some of those key features that make them distinct.

Counters, Scales, and Sorters: The Difference

When discussing coin processing, you will often hear about coin counters, coin and currency scales, and coin sorters. These terms may seem like they can be used interchangeably, but they are not as similar as they seem. There are some unique differences in each of these items.

Let’s look at some of those key features that make them distinct.

• Coin Counters
  • With an obvious statement, coin counters count coins. They utilize a mechanical mechanism that is set to determine a coin’s diameter and thickness. This allows them to calculate the number of coins handled quickly. The different models available today range from counting small quantities of coins to larger industrial machines that can process coins even faster.
  • Many coin counters have an added feature called “off-sorting.” This means that that coin counting machine can sort out any denomination that does not meet the preset size for which you have programmed the device. Depending on the model that you choose, some counters can dispense coins into rolls or bags based upon a predetermined setting.
  • Some of these cash counting machines can count bills as well as coins.
• Coin Scales
  • Unlike coin counters, coin scales do not count the number of coins placed on the unit. Instead, the scale weighs items placed on it, and then uses the mass of those coins to accurately determine the number that has been placed there. Most coin scales are preprogrammed with different coin denomination’s weight. This allows the coin and currency scale to do the math required to calculate not only the number of coins you have placed on the platform or tray but also the value. Some of these devices can weigh both coins and notes.
  • Unlike a coin counter, coin scales do not have an off-sorting feature. This means that all your coins will need to be sorted into predetermined denominations before you weigh them. Despite this obvious downside, when considering a coin scale vs. a coin counter, many people opt to use a coin scale for smaller cash handling projects. Also, scales can be used in larger jobs where primarily one denomination of currency will be collected.
• Coin Sorters
  • Some coin sorters typically count and sort your coins all in one automated process. They use a similar method used by coin counters. There is an electronic mechanism that gages the coins based upon their diameter and thickness. Standardly, these units sort out the largest coins by off-sorting the smaller coins into a new tray. After those coins are counted, it then goes to the next largest coins sorting and counting them. The coin sorter will repeat this process until all the different denominations of currency have been sorted and calculated. Each of the types of coins will be rolled or bagged separately. For example, American currency would separate into dollar coins, quarters, nickels, pennies, and dimes.
  • Note: Some units are coin and currency sorters.

Coin Processing and Added Features

When choosing what coin and cash handling solutions work best for your business, you will want to consider some of these added features. Think about how they may make your day-to-day business practices more efficient.

• Printers
  • Some coin scales, coin counters, and coin sorters can transmit the numbers or values of the currency to a different device for printing. Other units have a built-in printer for easy bookkeeping and audit purposes.
• Bagging, Coin Rolling, or Currency Wrapping
  • This is a feature typically not found on a coin scale. With the coin counters or sorter that do offer this feature, you usually have the option to set a batch value. This means that you can set a predetermined amount for each role, wrap, or bag. This added component gives you the option of preparing bank deposits as an almost entirely automated process.

Cash Handling with PBS Office

Searching through limitless currency calculating devices to find a product that will meet every need you and your company have can seem impossible. Here at PBS Office, we offer a large selection of intelligent cash management processes.

Contact us directly so that our team can discuss with you precisely what you are looking for from your currency handling machine. Our team is not interested in providing you with just another office appliance.

We want to offer you a coin processing solution that will make your business have a competitive edge.