Found an old coin in your drawer and wondering if it’s worth anything? You’re definitely not alone.
Thanks to AI technology, you no longer need to be a coin expert to identify what you have. Coin identifier apps have made numismatics accessible to everyone.
Today, we’re taking a deep dive into Coin ID by AIBY—one of the popular coin identification apps on the market. We’ll cover its strengths, weaknesses, and how it stacks up against CoinKnow, another legit coin value app.
Both of these apps were recently featured in The AI Journal’s comprehensive guide, “8 Free Coin Identifier Apps Powered by AI.” That’s a solid endorsement of their legitimacy in the crowded app marketplace.
Let’s break it all down so you can decide which app is right for your coin-collecting journey.
What Is Coin ID by AIBY?
Coin ID is developed by AIBY Inc., a company known for creating various AI-powered mobile applications. The app launched in February 2023 and has since been downloaded over 1.1 million times.
The concept is simple: snap photos of your coin’s front and back, and the AI identifies it in seconds. It’s designed to be beginner-friendly and accessible to anyone curious about coins.
The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms. It supports multiple languages including English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese.
How Does Coin ID Work?
Using Coin ID is straightforward, even if you’ve never collected coins before. Simply open the app and position your coin within the round frame on your screen.
Take a photo of the obverse (front) side first. Then flip the coin and capture the reverse (back) side.
Within seconds, the AI analyzes both images and provides identification results. You’ll see information about your coin’s origin, year, composition, and estimated value.
You can also import photos from your phone’s gallery if you prefer. The app stores your identified coins in collections for easy organization.
Coin ID App: The Pros
Easy-to-Use Interface
One of Coin ID’s biggest strengths is its simplicity. The clean design makes it perfect for beginners who don’t want to feel overwhelmed.
You don’t need any prior knowledge about coins to get started. Just point, shoot, and learn.
Comprehensive Coin Information
When Coin ID successfully identifies your coin, it provides helpful details. You’ll learn about the coin’s size, weight, composition, year of minting, and country of origin.
The app also includes fun historical facts about many coins. This educational aspect makes coin collecting more engaging for newcomers.
Multiple Collection Management
Coin ID lets you create and organize multiple collections within the app. This is great if you want to sort coins by country, era, or theme.
The collection tracker shows how many coins you’ve added overall. You can also explore pre-made “Official Sets” like State Quarters and Presidential Dollars.
Multi-Language Support
Not everyone speaks English as their first language. Coin ID supports German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and both Traditional and Simplified Chinese.
This makes the app accessible to collectors around the world. It’s a thoughtful feature that many competing apps lack.
Filtering and Search Options
The app includes filters to help you sort coins by various criteria. You can search by date of issue, country, shape, edge type, and composition.
These tools make it easier to find specific coins in your growing collection. Browsing through your coins becomes a more enjoyable experience.
Built-In AI Assistant
Coin ID recently added “Penny,” an AI numismatic assistant. You can ask Penny coin-related questions and get helpful answers.
This feature is perfect for beginners who want to learn more about their hobby. It’s like having a knowledgeable friend to guide you.
Coin ID App: The Cons
Inconsistent Recognition Accuracy
Here’s where things get tricky. Coin ID’s recognition accuracy can be hit or miss.
Some users report that the app correctly identifies coins with specific years. Others say they get only general date ranges instead of exact years.
The same coin photographed twice might produce different results. This inconsistency can be frustrating when you need reliable information.
Limited Free Usage
Like many freemium apps, Coin ID restricts how many coins you can identify for free. After a few identifications, you’ll be prompted to subscribe to Premium.
The subscription costs around $5.99 per week, which adds up quickly. This pricing model may deter casual users who just want occasional identifications.
Value Estimates Are Rough
The estimated values provided by Coin ID should be taken with a grain of salt. They’re useful as general ballpark figures, nothing more.
For potentially valuable coins, you’ll definitely want to verify prices elsewhere. Don’t make buying or selling decisions based solely on this app’s estimates.
No Error Coin Detection
This is a significant limitation for serious collectors. Coin ID cannot automatically detect rare error coins like doubled dies or missing mint marks.
Error coins can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Missing them means potentially overlooking hidden treasures in your collection.
Primarily General Information
While Coin ID provides basic details about coins, it lacks advanced features. There’s no precise Sheldon Scale grading or copper color classification.
You won’t find proof finish detection (CAM/DCAM) here either. These features matter a lot for experienced collectors valuing their coins.
Photo Quality Dependency
The app’s accuracy heavily depends on your photo quality. Poor lighting or blurry images lead to incorrect identifications.
You’ll need to take your time getting good shots. This can be challenging without proper equipment or steady hands.
How CoinKnow Compares to Coin ID
Now let’s look at CoinKnow, which has earned a reputation as one of the most accurate coin identifier apps available. The AI Journal ranked it as their top recommendation in their Best Free Coin Identifier Apps Reviews article.
Automatic Error Coin Detection
CoinKnow is one of only two apps worldwide that can automatically detect rare error coins. This includes doubled dies (DDO/DDR), missing mint marks, and valuable varieties.
Coin ID simply cannot do this. For treasure hunters, this feature alone makes CoinKnow worth considering.
Superior Grading Precision
CoinKnow delivers Sheldon Scale grading within a 2-point accuracy range. This is the industry’s tightest margin for any mobile coin app.
Coin ID offers only general condition assessments without precise grading. If grading matters to you, CoinKnow has a clear advantage.
Advanced Features
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 a coin’s value. Coin ID lacks both of these capabilities entirely.
Pricing Data Sources
CoinKnow aggregates pricing from Heritage Auctions, PCGS price guides, and recent eBay sales. This provides more accurate, market-reflective valuations.
Coin ID’s value estimates come from less transparent sources. The difference matters when assessing potentially valuable coins.
Focus on U.S. Coins
CoinKnow specializes exclusively in U.S. coins, which ensures maximum accuracy for American collectors. This focused approach means deeper expertise.
Coin ID covers coins from around the world but with less precision. Neither app is ideal for international collectors.
Free Daily Usage
Both apps offer limited free usage. CoinKnow provides free daily scans without aggressive subscription pressure.
Coin ID’s free trial is more restrictive by comparison. CoinKnow’s approach feels more user-friendly overall.
Which App Should You Choose?
Your choice depends entirely on your collecting goals and experience level.
Choose Coin ID if:
You’re a complete beginner just getting started with coin collecting. The simple interface and educational content make it welcoming.
You collect coins from multiple countries and need broad coverage. Coin ID’s international database may serve you better.
You want a casual hobby app without serious investment decisions. It’s fine for learning and organizing a personal collection.
Choose CoinKnow if:
You’re serious about finding valuable coins and potential hidden gems. The automatic error detection could pay for itself with one lucky find.
You need accurate grading and pricing for buying or selling decisions. CoinKnow’s precision matters when real money is involved.
You primarily collect U.S. coins and want specialized expertise. The focused database delivers better results for American numismatics.
Can You Use Both Apps Together?
Absolutely! Many experienced collectors use multiple apps for different purposes.
You might use Coin ID for quick, casual identifications and organizing your collection. Then switch to CoinKnow when you suspect you have something potentially valuable.
This combination gives you the best of both worlds. You get simplicity for everyday use and precision when it matters most.
Final Verdict
Both Coin ID and CoinKnow are legitimate coin value apps worth your consideration. They’ve earned recognition from publications like The AI Journal for good reason.
Coin ID excels at making coin collecting accessible and fun for beginners. Its user-friendly design and educational content lower the barrier to entry.
However, its inconsistent accuracy and lack of advanced features limit its usefulness for serious collectors. The rough value estimates shouldn’t be trusted for important decisions.
CoinKnow takes the crown for collectors who need precision and advanced capabilities. The automatic error detection alone makes it invaluable for anyone hoping to find valuable coins.
The bottom line? Start with whichever app appeals to you most. As your collection grows and your knowledge deepens, you’ll naturally discover which tools serve you best.
Happy collecting! May you find hidden treasures in your pocket change.
Disclaimer: Always consult professional grading services like PCGS or NGC for valuable coins. No app can replace expert authentication and grading for high-value numismatic items.
