My Exploration of Building a Coin-Sorting Machine by Date

Introduction

You know that itch to build something that makes coin hunting easier? I’ve been wrestling with the idea of a date-and-mint-mark sorter myself. As a collector who’s spent countless hours squinting at coins, I thought this tech project would be straightforward. Boy, was I wrong – it opened up a whole can of worms about what’s actually practical for folks like us.

Technical Hurdles and Workarounds

Here’s the reality check I got: teaching a machine to recognize coins is trickier than identifying them yourself. That worn 1916 Mercury dime in your palm? The camera sees it completely differently under kitchen lights versus sunlight. You’d need photo references of every possible angle and wear level – we’re talking hundreds of shots per coin type just to catch subtle differences. My prototype used edge-matching tech paired with OCR for dates, but even then, it’d occasionally mistake a common 1944-S Lincoln cent for something rare. Miss one doubled die, and you’ve lost a treasure!

• Create an image bank with dates/mint marks removed so patterns stand out
• Program adjustments for wear – that AU-55 coin shouldn’t get rejected
• High-speed cameras help, but they’ll make your wallet weep

The Money Question

Let’s talk dollars and sense. After burning through three prototypes, I can tell you this isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. Between specialty cameras and coding headaches, you’re looking at thousands before your first sorted coin. And good luck finding enough silver Roosevelt dimes in circulation to break even! Bulk suppliers like Brinks won’t humor date-specific requests either. Some collectors told me they’d pay up to $5k for such a machine, but that’s a tiny pool of buyers. Honestly? Treat it like restoring vintage cars – satisfying for the craft, not the cash.

• Start by hunting specific targets like copper cents to recoup some costs
• Maybe license the software instead of building physical units
• Test waters with a working model before taking orders

Tips From the Trenches

If you’re tempted to try this yourself, learn from my skinned knuckles. Begin with a simple three-bin system (keep/reject/unsure) – that’s enough to pull Morgans for VAM checking. Remember how wear changes a coin’s “fingerprint”? Your image library must include everything from slick coppers to mint-state gems. For sourcing, buddy up with local bank tellers who’ll save customer-rolled coins, but always return the duds to keep that relationship sweet. And please – add rubber padding wherever coins touch metal!

• Gentle handling is non-negotiable – no scratching potential sleepers
• Program error detection to flag repunched mint marks automatically
• Plan storage for sorted coins before they pile up on your workbench

Wrapping Up

While I still dream of that humming sorter on my workbench, I’ve made peace with it being a labor of love rather than profit. The tech works in theory, but the real world of worn coins and thin margins makes it tough. My advice? Grab your toolbox anyway. Tinker, share your failures and wins with our community, and enjoy the ride. After all, half the fun’s in the hunt – whether for coins or solutions.