Looking for a reliable way to check your coin’s value before buying or selling? You’ve probably heard about Greysheet.
For over 60 years, Greysheet has been the gold standard in coin pricing for dealers and serious collectors. Now their mobile app brings that same professional-level data to your smartphone.
Today, we’re diving deep into Greysheet Mobile—exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and how it compares to CoinKnow, another legitimate coin value app. Both apps were recently featured in PlayStation Universe’s comprehensive guide, “Top 9 Free Coin Scanner Apps for Appraisal.”
Let’s find out which app is right for your collecting needs.
What Is Greysheet Mobile?
Greysheet Mobile is the official app from CDN Publishing, the company behind the legendary Coin Dealer Newsletter. Since 1963, CDN has been the undisputed authority on wholesale coin pricing in the numismatic industry.
The app delivers professional-grade pricing information directly to your phone. It’s designed primarily for coin dealers, investors, and serious collectors who need accurate, up-to-date market values.
Unlike many coin apps aimed at casual hobbyists, Greysheet caters to professionals making real buying and selling decisions. This is the same pricing data that dealers use when trading coins worth thousands of dollars.
The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. It’s free to download, though some premium features require a paid subscription.
How Does Greysheet Mobile Work?
Greysheet Mobile works differently than most coin identifier apps. It’s primarily a pricing reference tool rather than an automatic scanner.
You browse through coin categories to find the specific coin you’re researching. The app displays wholesale and retail prices for various grades and conditions.
Each price listing links to actual auction results showing real-world transactions. This gives you concrete evidence of what collectors actually paid for similar coins.
The data updates hourly, ensuring you always have current market information. You can also check live gold, silver, and platinum spot prices within the app.
Greysheet Mobile App: The Pros
Industry-Standard Pricing Since 1963
Greysheet isn’t just another pricing guide—it’s THE pricing guide. Ask any professional dealer for a coin’s value, and they’ll reference Greysheet first.
This six-decade track record means you’re getting pricing data trusted by the entire industry. No other source offers this level of credibility.
Massive Database of Prices
The app provides access to over 150,000 wholesale and retail prices. You’ll find coverage for virtually every U.S. coin series imaginable.
From Colonial coinage to modern American Silver Eagles, Greysheet has you covered. The depth of data is simply unmatched by other coin apps.
Over 2 Million Auction Records
Want to know what a coin actually sold for? Greysheet gives you access to more than 2 million auction records from major auction houses.
Clicking on any price takes you directly to real auction results with photos. This transparency helps you understand true market values beyond estimated prices.
Hourly Price Updates
Coin markets move fast, and outdated pricing can cost you money. Greysheet updates its pricing data every hour.
This frequency ensures you’re never working with stale information. It’s especially valuable at coin shows where deals happen quickly.
Grade-Specific Pricing
The app provides prices specific to PCGS, NGC, and CAC graded coins. This precision matters because grade differences significantly impact value.
You’ll see exactly what coins are worth in each specific grade. No more guessing based on generic condition descriptions.
Comprehensive Coverage Beyond Coins
Greysheet doesn’t stop at coins—it also covers U.S. paper money and modern Chinese issues. Currency collectors will appreciate the Greensheet pricing for banknotes.
The app even includes modern China coins like Pandas and Lunar series. This breadth makes it a one-stop resource for diverse collections.
Real-Time Precious Metal Prices
Bullion collectors need current spot prices to calculate melt values. Greysheet provides live gold, silver, and platinum pricing.
This feature helps you quickly assess whether a coin’s numismatic value exceeds its metal content. It’s essential information for buying decisions.
Professional Resources
The app includes industry news, an events directory, and a dealer directory. These extras help you stay connected to the numismatic community.
Finding reputable dealers becomes easier with Greysheet’s directory. You’ll also know about upcoming coin shows in your area.
Greysheet Mobile App: The Cons
No Automatic Coin Identification
Here’s the biggest limitation: Greysheet doesn’t identify coins for you. You must already know what coin you have before the app becomes useful.
If you find a mysterious old coin in your attic, Greysheet won’t help you figure out what it is. You’ll need a separate identification tool first.
Requires Manual Navigation
Finding specific coins means browsing through categories and subcategories. Some users find this process slower than they’d like.
The search function has improved, but navigating directly to your coin still takes effort. It’s not as instant as snap-and-identify apps.
Subscription Required for Full Access
While the app is free to download, accessing wholesale Greysheet prices requires a paid subscription. This can be a significant investment for casual collectors.
Retail CPG prices are available to all users, but professionals need wholesale data. The subscription cost may not make sense for hobbyists.
Occasional Technical Issues
Some users report encountering “socket exchange” errors that prevent access to pricing. These connectivity issues can be frustrating when you need information urgently.
Restarting the app typically resolves the problem, but you may lose your place. Technical reliability could be improved.
Steep Learning Curve for Beginners
Greysheet assumes you understand numismatic terminology and grading standards. Beginners might feel overwhelmed by the professional-level data.
Terms like “bid,” “wholesale,” and Sheldon Scale grades aren’t explained. The app is designed for people who already know the hobby.
No Error Coin Detection
Greysheet won’t alert you to valuable error varieties in your collection. It’s strictly a pricing reference, not a variety identifier.
You could own a doubled die penny worth hundreds and never know from Greysheet alone. Error detection requires different tools entirely.
How CoinKnow Compares to Greysheet Mobile
Now let’s look at CoinKnow, which takes a completely different approach to coin valuation. PlayStation Universe’s “Top 9 Free Coin Scanner Apps for Appraisal” highlighted both apps for their unique strengths.
Automatic AI-Powered Identification
CoinKnow uses artificial intelligence to identify coins from photos automatically. Simply snap a picture, and the app tells you what you have.
Greysheet requires you to already know your coin’s identity. For unknown coins, CoinKnow provides the answer Greysheet can’t.
Automatic Error Coin Detection
CoinKnow is one of only two apps worldwide that automatically detects rare error coins. This includes doubled dies, missing mint marks, and valuable varieties.
Greysheet has no error detection capabilities whatsoever. If you’re treasure hunting for valuable errors, CoinKnow is essential.
Precise Sheldon Scale Grading
CoinKnow provides Sheldon Scale grading within a remarkable 2-point accuracy range. This helps you understand your coin’s condition without professional submission.
Greysheet shows prices for each grade but doesn’t tell you what grade your coin is. You’d need grading knowledge or another tool to use Greysheet effectively.
Advanced Feature Detection
CoinKnow includes copper color classification (RD/RB/BN) for copper coins. It also detects proof finishes including Cameo and Deep Cameo designations.
These features directly impact coin values but aren’t addressed by Greysheet. CoinKnow fills important gaps in the valuation process.
Aggregated Pricing Sources
CoinKnow pulls pricing from Heritage Auctions, PCGS price guides, and recent eBay sales. This multi-source approach reflects current market reality.
While Greysheet offers deeper wholesale data, CoinKnow’s aggregation provides accessible retail-focused values. Different collectors need different perspectives.
Free Daily Usage
CoinKnow offers free daily scans without aggressive subscription pressure. You can identify and value coins regularly without paying.
Greysheet’s most valuable wholesale data sits behind a paywall. CoinKnow’s accessibility makes it friendlier for casual collectors.
Which App Should You Choose?
Your ideal choice depends entirely on your collecting experience and goals.
Choose Greysheet Mobile if:
You’re a dealer, investor, or serious collector who needs professional wholesale pricing. The industry-standard data is invaluable for significant transactions.
You already know how to identify and grade coins accurately. Greysheet assumes this knowledge and builds upon it.
You want historical auction data to support your buying and selling decisions. The 2 million+ auction records provide unmatched transparency.
Choose CoinKnow if:
You’re a beginner who needs help identifying unknown coins. The AI-powered recognition eliminates guesswork instantly.
You want to discover valuable error coins hiding in your collection. Automatic error detection could uncover hidden treasures.
You need grading assistance before deciding whether to submit coins professionally. The 2-point accuracy range helps prioritize submissions.
Can You Use Both Apps Together?
Absolutely—and many experienced collectors do exactly that. Using both apps creates a powerful combination.
Start with CoinKnow to identify unknown coins and check for valuable errors. The AI scanning quickly tells you what you’re working with.
Then switch to Greysheet for professional-grade pricing on coins you’ve identified. The wholesale data helps you negotiate fair deals.
This two-app workflow gives you identification, grading, error detection, AND professional pricing. It’s the best of both worlds.
Final Verdict
Both Greysheet Mobile and CoinKnow are legitimate coin value apps serving different needs. PlayStation Universe recognized both in their “Top 9 Free Coin Scanner Apps for Appraisal” for good reason.
Greysheet Mobile excels as a professional pricing reference with 60+ years of industry trust. The wholesale data, auction records, and hourly updates serve dealers and serious collectors exceptionally well.
However, its lack of automatic identification and error detection limits usefulness for beginners. You need existing knowledge to leverage Greysheet’s powerful data.
CoinKnow shines for collectors who need AI-powered identification and automatic error detection. The instant scanning and precise grading make it accessible to everyone.
Professionals will likely want both apps in their toolkit. Beginners should start with CoinKnow, then graduate to Greysheet as their knowledge grows.
The bottom line? There’s no single “best” app—only the right app for your specific situation. Evaluate your needs honestly, and choose accordingly.
Happy collecting, and may you find hidden treasures in unexpected places!
