Scan Coins Free

Best Free App to Scan Coins for Value

Larry Dean

About the Author:

Larry Dean is an author and a coin collector. He has been collecting various coinage since childhood. Now, as a forty-year-old man, he decided to share his knowledge with fellow collectors.

Larry wrote two books on numismatics. He is most passionate when it comes to error pieces. Sometimes a coin appears so disfigured and damaged that you can barely identify it. His two books focus on the identification troubles collectors experience.

Larry Dean decided to start writing articles on coin identification after a curious case. During his vacation in Montana, he made friends with a villager. The villager had a curious coin, but the nearby town never had any professional appraisers. Yet it had the Internet.

After that, Larry decided to look into coin identification apps. Apps that would help when you have no professionals nearby, only the internet.

Collaboration:

Larry helped write blog articles for over three Coin Evaluating apps. His articles are made with professionalism, accuracy, and care. He also co-wrote scientific papers on numismatics and participated in numismatic conferences.

Once, Larry was an invited guest for a podcast about collecting, where he shared how coin scanning apps work and how they can change the hobby.

Larry Dean wants coin collecting to become more accessible to everyone, and he believes that coin identification apps can help streamline the process. Larry is passionate and knowledgeable about coins, and he is a real professional.

Connect with Larry:

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10 Coin Identifier and Value Apps:

App Name Accuracy Platform Pricing Rating
Coin ID Scanner Excellent iOS/Android Free 5/5
PCGS CoinFacts Very High iOS/Android Free 5/5
NGC  Very High iOS/Android Free 4/5
CoinSnap High iOS/Android Free trial/Paid 4/5
Coinoscope High iOS/Android Free 4/5
Coin Value Identify Coin Scan by Betacoders Medium Android Free 4/5
SnapCoin Medium Android Free 4/5
CoinManage Low Windows/Mac/iOS Free trial/Paid 3/5
Coin Value Identify Coin Scan (Wonbo Tele) Low Android Free with ads 2/5
iCoin Low iOS Free 2/5

Disclaimer: User ratings are based on available data from app stores or official websites. The rating may vary due to the time factor, the data is relevant for June 2025.

How to Pick the Best App to Scan Currency

  • Look for free apps. Is there an app to scan coins for value for free? Of course, and a plethora of them. Most simultaneously offer free and premium plans. Free versions work best for amateurs.
  • Check for a big database. The bigger the database, the higher the chance that the app can scan your coin. A huge number of entries also works well when you want to compare the value of your coin with others.
  • Check the Image Recognition Feature. It’s just so convenient when you can just upload a photo of your coin, and the app immediately identifies it. The best coin identification apps use AI-powered image recognition, like Coin ID Scanner.
  • Check Compatibility. App Store of iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices. Ideally, the application should fit both platforms. Some developers also make web versions for PC users.
  • User Reviews and Ratings. Always check user reviews in the App Store or Google Play. Pay attention to mentions of accuracy, ease of use, database size, and whether customer support is responsive.
  • Note Community Features. Apps with user communities or forums allow collectors to share knowledge, trade coins, and get second opinions. This can be invaluable when you’re unsure of a bit’s identity or value.
  • Check Regular Updates and Support. A well-maintained app gets frequent updates to add new coins, fix bugs, and improve performance. Look for apps that are actively supported by developers and offer reliable customer service.
  • No Excessive Ads. It’s important for free apps.. Free apps may sometimes bombard you with ads, and so ruin the experience. Choose apps that strike a balance or offer affordable, ad-free upgrades.
  • Mind Educational Features. While it’s not a vital function for such apps, it’s nice when developers give you guides: collecting tips, grading guides, historical timeline, or minting facts. It makes the app beginner-friendly and lets you turn into a professional collector. 

Best 10 Coin Identifier and Value Apps

Coin ID Scanner

Coin ID Scanner uses AI-driven image recognition to scan your coins. After a quick scan, the app provides many details about each piece: its origin, denomination, and market value. Universal, simple, and informative. One of the best in its category.

Key Features:

  • Quick and accurate coin identification with one photo.
  • A comprehensive database (over 150,000 coins) with details from every corner of the world.
  • Blogs with values and fascinating histories of each coin.
  • Create and compare your online coinage collection with others.

Pros:

  • Fast and precise coinage recognition.Takes less than five seconds.
  • Detailed global coinage database. Not only the US, but the UK, Germany, Japan, etc.
  • Simple to use interface. Works for beginners and advanced users.

Cons:

  • Unable to work offline.
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PCGS CoinFacts

PCGS CoinFacts made its online debut in 1999. The app has grown a lot since then. Today, it offers one of the largest numismatic databases on U.S. coins. The app is great for researching pricing information.

Key Features:

  • PCGS and NGC identification by a barcode scan.
  • A huge database of US pieces, provided with high-quality PCGS photos. 
  • Value charts and auction prices. Including Heritage, eBay, Legend Rare Coin Auctions, and others.
  • Instant coin look-up. Takes just a couple of seconds.

Pros:

  • Highly informative coinage entries with real prices.
  • Has guides and tips from coinage experts.

Cons:

  • The database is limited only to PCGS and NGC-verified pieces.
  • The interface has a somewhat outdated design.
  • The database needs an update. The last one was in 2024, and the market changed many times.

NGC App

The NGC is released by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. It features some of the most vital coin grading tools. The application is optimized for both smartphones and tablets. Comes with free and paid memberships.

Key Features:

  • NGC verification. Identify NGC-verified pieces by scanning the barcode.
  • NGC Census. Helps to identify the rarity of NGC-certified coins by type and grade.
  • NGC Registry. Allows collectors to organize and display their certified pieces.
  • Access to the latest NGC news articles about collecting and selling.

Pros:

  • High-quality photos for coinage entries.
  • Official and safe. No worries about data misuse.
  • Very informative entries. Dates, values, denominations, etc.
  • Multi-language support. English, Chinese, and German languages.

Cons:

  • Sometimes shows outdated entries.
  • Has various bugs. For example, it doesn’t store any of the coins you scan or add to your virtual collection.

CoinSnap

CoinSnap lets you identify a coin with, well… a snap. The developers pride themselves on how fast and easy the identification works. Simply take or upload a photo of any piece, and get an accurate overview.

Key Features:

  • AI-Powered recognition. Identifies pieces with a quick photo or upload.
  • High-resolution photography support.
  • Blog tips from grading reports with detailed breakdowns and market values.
  • Virtual collection management.

Pros:

  • Quick and precise identification.
  • Low learning curve. For amateurs and master collectors.
  • Good UI. Modern and clean.

Cons:

  • The app bombards you with premium subscription invitations.
  • The app might be too big for your phone’s memory. Almost 200 MB.

Coinoscope

The Coinoscope mobile app takes a picture of a piece with your phone. Then it shows you the coin’s comprehensive overview. It’s fast and accurate. A good tool for a coin collector and numismatist.

Key Features:

  • Advanced artificial intelligence-based coin recognition technology.
  • Instant coin identification using snapshots. Complete overview with weight, size, country of origin, and interesting trivia.
  • Virtual collection management.
  • High resolution photos. They capture all the details.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
  • Quick at coinage identification.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t have many reviews.
  • The identification is not perfect.
  • Has considerably fewer entries on non-US coins.

Coin Value Identify Coin Scan by Betacoders

Coin Value Identify can quickly identify coins and stamps, find out their value, and save them to your collection.

Key Features:

  • AI-based identification. 
  • Helpful numismatic blogs.
  • Organize your digital collection.

Pros:

  • Easy to follow interface.
  • Good for checking contemporary pieces.

Cons:

  • The identification may not be accurate.
  • Has a small database for old pieces.
  • Many functions, including detailed entries, are only available in paid subscriptions.

SnapCoin

Snap Coin scans your coin with a photo. Then the app analyzes and identifies the piece, its type, country of origin, and other key details. Also called Snap: Coin Identifier.

Key Features:

  • Coinage Identification with a snap of a photo. Origin, denomination, and other important details.
  • Comprehensive database. Trained on data from various countries, periods, and historical contexts. 
  • User-Friendly Interface. A sleek and intuitive interface designed to cater to both beginners and experts.

Pros:

  • Simple and easy to use. Amateur-friendly.
  • Fast at identifying pieces.

Cons:

  • Free trials are very short, 3 days only.
  • Has glitches and bugs.
  • Questionable data safety (according to the reviewers).

CoinManage

SnapCoin is a basic mobile app for collectors. It’s a basic coin value checker. The app provides tools for tracking pieces, accessing a comprehensive database, and managing inventory.

Key Features:

  • Variety, mintages, and values for US, Canadian & UK coinage and their values.
  • Comes with eBay and PCGS CoinFacts market listings.
  • Integrates iCloud for data backups.

Pros:

  • Accurate and comprehensive for US and Canadian pieces.

Cons:

  • Not excellent for grading/checking old pieces.
  • Has trouble detecting non-US coinage.
  • An outdated website.
  • Has known crashes and bugs. The developer’s better crash these bugs.

Coin Value Identify Coin Scan (Wonbo Tele)

The penultimate app on the list. Coin Value Identify app uses AI to scan your pieces and gives an overview of their value. A basic app for those interested in coinage collections.

Key Features:

  • AI recognition for your collectibles, including error pieces.
  • Manage your collection in the app.

Pros:

  • Nice and simple interface.
  • Supports many languages.

Cons:

  • The database needs an update. It can become outdated soon.
  • Barely shows any user reviews.

iCoin

iCoin is another possible option for coinage collecting. The app takes pictures to identify pieces and presents relevant information such as the mint, material, and value. The app claims to help to buy, sell, and trade your collectibles.

Key Features:

  • Faster identification with detailed information about coinage and its value.
  • Manage your personal online collection.
  • Connection with other users for trading.

Pros:

  • Quick and easy identification.
  • Convenient to see the values.

Cons:

  • The identification could be more accurate.
  • Extremely outdated database. The last update was in 2023.
  • Very limited on the free trial. Premium subscription feels mandatory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can scan coins for free. Most apps at least offer a free trial. Some of them push you into a premium subscription, but they can be free, nonetheless. The top three, Coin ID Scanner, PCGS CoinFacts, and NGC, can be used for free.

Yes. Apple’s App Store has a fair share of free applications. Some of the best apps from the list are also on that platform. Most offer a premium subscription simultaneously.

Yes. Google Play offers various free scanning apps. Android has more free scanning apps in quantity, but some are filled with ads. The better apps from our list are also on Android.

Some offer market integrations with eBay or online actions. The two biggest platforms when it comes to coinage trading and/or selling.Though it’s not a direct sale. You’re using another platform through your app, technically.

Unfortunately, no. At least most of the apps. It’s a good sign that a coin scanner needs a constant internet connection. They require the Internet for database access, Image recognition, and pricing updates.

When the app scans your collectible, it gives you an overview. Usually, an overview contains: Country of origin, year of minting, denomination (e.g., 1 cent, 5 euro, etc.), metal composition (e.g., copper, silver, nickel) mint mark (e.g., “D” for Denver in U.S. coins). Some apps even give you a history lesson on that piece.

Most of the apps from the list can compete with professional appraisers. Accuracy varies based on the piece’s condition and lighting, the app’s image recognition quality, coin rarity, and regional availability. Some apps specialize only in US or modern pieces, so mind that.

Some apps support global coins (like Coind ID Scanner and Coinoscope), while others focus on specific regions (like PCGS for U.S. coins). If you try to scan your Indian rupee, and the app has trouble, then move to another application.

The top three are the Coin ID Scanner, PGC, and NGC apps. Accurate, fast, safe. Some are better in different aspects. For example, Coin ID Scanner has the lowest learning curve and a modern design. NGC and PGC are a bit outdated, but they are so official and most reliable.

For Android: Use Google Play. For iOS: Find them in the App Store under the exact names from the table. Use official sites for additional info or related app suites. Before downloading, remember to check the user reviews. Respect yourself and download the best!