CoinKnow Review, My Honest Experience After Testing This Coin Identifier App
I’ve been collecting coins for years, and I’m always skeptical about apps that claim to identify and grade coins accurately. So when I heard about CoinKnow, I decided to put it through a rigorous test with my own collection. Here’s what I found.
CoinKnow QUICK VERDICT
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
✓ Strengths:
- Highly accurate coin identification (year, mint mark, type)
- Grading within 2 points of PCGS professional grades
- Excellent error coin and variety detection
- Proof finish and cameo designation recognition
- Free daily scans available
✗ Weaknesses:
- Photo quality heavily affects accuracy
- Mobile app has less info than web version
- Requires good camera (macro mode recommended)
Best For: Beginners learning coins, collectors screening before professional grading, variety hunters
Not For: Final grading authority on high-value coins (use PCGS/NGC)
What Is CoinKnow?
CoinKnow is an AI-powered coin identification app that promises to identify, grade, and value your coins just by taking a photo. It’s designed for both beginners and serious collectors who want quick assessments without sending coins to professional grading services.
The app specifically focuses on US coins and offers some unique features that other apps do not. Let me break down how each feature performed in my real-world testing.
1. Instant Coin Identification: Impressive Accuracy
I tested CoinKnow with 10 different coins from my collection. The app correctly identified the coin type, year, and mint mark on every single one—well, almost.
Here’s the thing: I took one blurry photo, and the app got it wrong. But when I retook the photo with better lighting and focus, it nailed it. This tells me the technology works, but photo quality matters.
My take: For beginners, this is a huge advantage. You don’t need to know anything about coins—just snap a clear photo, and you’ll get instant information.
2. Is the CoinKnow App Grading System accurate? Surprisingly Close to PCGS
This was the feature I was most curious about. I tested it with my 1998 Penny Wide AM in Red (RD), which PCGS had professionally graded at MS67.
CoinKnow graded it at MS65-MS67. The PCGS grade falls right within that range, which is honestly impressive for a mobile app.
Let’s be real here—no app will ever be 100% accurate with grading. Even professional grading companies like PCGS and NGC sometimes differ by 1-2 points on the same coin. So getting within 2 points of accuracy is actually quite good.
My verdict: CoinKnow won’t replace professional grading for valuable coins, but it’s excellent for getting a ballpark grade before deciding whether to pay for certification.
3. Does CoinKnow App Provide Accurate Market Values?
Using the same 1998 Penny Wide AM (Grade 67), I compared CoinKnow’s valuation against PCGS and recent eBay sales. PCGS estimated $800, and recent eBay sales were $450.
CoinKnow gave me a range of $78-$730 (MS65-MS67). While slightly lower, it’s still in the reasonable ballpark.
Since the app provided a grade range (MS65-MS67), it logically gives a corresponding price range for those grades. I appreciate this approach rather than a single number. Coin values fluctuate based on the market, buyer interest, and specific coin characteristics.
Bottom line: The valuations are conservative but realistic. Don’t expect inflated numbers that get your hopes up.
4. Copper Color Classification: Mostly Accurate with One Caveat
This is where things got interesting. CoinKnow can distinguish between Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), and Brown (BN) copper coins—a feature most apps don’t even attempt.
The app correctly identified my RD and BN coins every time. However, with RB coins, I noticed some inconsistency depending on the angle I held the coin and the lighting.
Here’s the problem: Both my iPhone and Samsung phone automatically enhance photos, which can make coins appear redder than they actually are. When I adjusted the angle and lighting, sometimes my RB coins were identified as Red.
My honest opinion: This isn’t entirely CoinKnow’s fault—it’s a limitation of smartphone photography. For expensive coins where color designation significantly affects value, still go with PCGS certification. Use CoinKnow as a helpful guide, not the final word.
5. Proof Finish Detection: Highly Accurate
I tested CoinKnow’s ability to distinguish between regular Mint State (MS) and Proof (PR) coins, as well as Cameo (CAM) and Deep Cameo (DCAM) designations. MS and PR identification was 100% accurate in my tests—not a single mistake.
CAM and DCAM detection was slightly less perfect, with occasional misidentifications. I’d estimate about 92% accuracy for these more nuanced designations.
My thoughts: This is still impressive technology. Distinguishing cameo effects requires identifying subtle contrast differences that even human eyes sometimes struggle with.
6. Automatic Error Coin Detection: Works Best with Good Photos
This is one of CoinKnow’s standout features. I tested it with several error coins, including Doubled Die Obverse (DDO), Doubled Die Reverse (DDR), and even the rare 1888-O “Scarface” variety.
The app correctly identified all of these errors when I used my iPhone’s macro mode to capture clear, detailed photos. However, my Samsung Android phone without macro capability sometimes missed the errors when photos weren’t sharp enough.
Error coins have extremely subtle differences—we’re talking about tiny doubling or small die cracks. The app needs high-quality, close-up images to detect them reliably.
Pro tip: If you’re serious about finding error coins, use a phone with macro photography capabilities. It makes a huge difference.
7. Rare Variety Identification: Excellent Performance
I threw some challenging coins at the app: 1998 Wide AM vs. Close AM, 1909 VDB, 1960 Large Date vs. Small Date, and 1979-S Type 1 vs. Type 2. CoinKnow correctly identified all of these varieties without any issues.
This is genuinely impressive because these varieties can be difficult to distinguish, even for experienced collectors.
Why this matters: Finding variety coins in circulation is like finding treasure. This feature helps beginners spot valuable varieties they might otherwise miss.
8. Coin Catalog Database: Comprehensive but Limited
The U.S. coin database in the app is quite extensive and covers most coins you’ll encounter. However, I noticed that the mobile app doesn’t have as much information as CoinKnow’s web version.
Some historical details and certain varieties that appear on the website aren’t available in the app. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s worth noting.
My suggestion: Use the app for quick identification and the website for deeper research on specific coins.
9. Collection Management Tools: Standard Features
The collection management functionality is decent but nothing special. You can organize your coins, track values, and maintain a digital inventory.
Honestly, most coin apps offer similar collection tools. CoinKnows aren’t better or worse—they’re just fine.
Skip this if: You already use a dedicated collection management system. But for beginners, having everything in one app is convenient.
10. Free Daily Usage: Try Before You Buy
CoinKnow offers free scans per day, which is perfect for casual users and beginners who want to test the app. For serious collectors, though, three scans disappear fast.
The annual subscription costs around $38.99 and removes all limits. Considering you get unlimited scans, grading, and access to all premium features, I find it quite reasonable.
Value assessment: One professional PCGS grading would cost you more than the 3 annual subscriptions. If you identify just one valuable error coin with this app, it’s already paid for itself.
Is CoinKnow Legit Coin Identifier & Value App?
Yes, CoinKnow is a legitimate coin identification app that actually works as advertised. After extensive testing, I can confidently say CoinKnow is one of the best coin identifier apps available. It’s not perfect—no app is—but it delivers on most of its promises.
The AI technology genuinely identifies coins accurately, provides reasonable grade estimates, and detects varieties and errors that many collectors would miss. While it can’t match professional grading services, it’s a legitimate tool that delivers real value.
What makes it legit:
- Consistent accuracy across multiple tests
- Grade estimates that align with professional services (within 1-2 points)
- Realistic valuations (not inflated to get your hopes up)
- Transparent about its limitations
- Actually free to try before you buy
Best for: Beginners learning to identify coins, collectors screening coins before professional grading, and anyone hunting for error coins and varieties in circulation.
Not a replacement for: Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC for high-value coins. Think of CoinKnow as your knowledgeable friend who can give you a quick assessment, not as the final authority.
My Recommendations
If you’re a beginner: Start with the free version. Free daily scans are plenty to learn the basics and identify coins from that old collection you inherited.
If you’re a serious collector: The annual subscription is worth it. I find myself using it constantly to quickly check grades and spot potential varieties before deciding what to send for professional certification.
For photography: Use the best camera and lighting you have. CoinKnow’s AI is only as good as the photos you give it. Macro mode makes a huge difference for error coins.
Final Thoughts
CoinKnow won’t replace the expertise of professional grading services or years of collecting experience. But it’s an incredibly useful tool that democratizes coin identification and grading for everyone.
I’ve found genuine value in using it as a screening tool. It helps me decide which coins are worth the time and money to send for professional certification, and it’s already helped me spot a few varieties I would have otherwise missed.
For around $38.99 a year, it’s a small investment that can potentially save you from missing valuable coins or wasting money grading common ones. That’s a win in my book.
Rating: 8.5/10 – Highly recommended for both beginners and experienced collectors, with the understanding that it complements rather than replaces professional grading.
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