If you’re new to coin collecting, you’ve probably heard about CoinSnap. But with so many coin identification apps out there, you might be wondering: is CoinSnap legit?
Let’s dive into an honest CoinSnap App review and see how it stacks up against competitors like CoinKnow and CoinValueChecker.
CoinSnap App Reviews – What Is CoinSnap?
CoinSnap is a coin identifier app that helps you identify and value coins using your smartphone camera. Simply snap a photo of your coin, and the app searches its database to match it.
It’s designed to make coin identification quick and easy for collectors of all levels. The interface is straightforward—no complicated setup or technical knowledge required.
CoinSnap offers both free and paid options. The app is free to download, and you can use basic identification features with limited scans per day.
However, the free version comes with restrictions on the number of coins you can identify. For unlimited scans and full access to all features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid subscription.
The CoinSnap app cost typically includes weekly, monthly, or annual subscription plans. Prices vary, but monthly subscriptions usually range around $4.99-$9.99, while annual plans offer better value at approximately $29.99-$39.99 per year.
Keep in mind that when choosing the best coin identifier app, both CoinKnow and CoinValueChecker also offer free daily scans without forcing subscriptions. This makes them more accessible if you only need to identify a few coins regularly.
What CoinSnap App Does Well
CoinSnap really shines when it comes to identifying foreign coins. This feature significantly reduces the time and effort needed for manual research, which can be a huge time-saver for collectors with international coins.
The app is incredibly easy to use—just take a photo or upload one from your gallery. Within seconds, you’ll get results from the database with detailed information about your coin.
Once identified, you’ll see weight, material composition, dimensions, country of origin, year, and mintage numbers. This gives you a solid overview of what you’re holding.
Many users appreciate the valuation and favorites functions. These features save you from hunting through multiple websites or hiring professional appraisers, letting you organize your collection right within the free coin value app.
Where CoinSnap App Falls Short
Here’s where things get tricky—CoinSnap’s grading and valuation features aren’t very reliable. The results can vary dramatically based on photo quality and lighting conditions, so consider the valuations as rough estimates at best.
CoinSnap cannot distinguish penny colors or differentiate between PR, CAM, and DCAM designations. It can only tell the difference between MS (Mint State) and PR (Proof) grades, which is limiting for serious collectors.
The app cannot identify error coins like DDO (Double Die Obverse), DDR (Double Die Reverse), or Wide AM varieties. These errors can make coins extremely valuable, so missing these details could mean overlooking hidden treasures in your collection.
CoinSnap struggles with coin varieties like Large Date vs. Small Date or Type 1 vs. Type 2. These variations often carry different values, so you’ll need to research these details manually.
The AI hasn’t been trained on ancient coins, so it can’t identify historical pieces. In fact, it might misidentify an ancient Roman silver coin as a modern one—if you collect ancient coins, this app won’t be much help.
Perhaps most concerning—CoinSnap cannot detect fake coins. Counterfeits can easily slip through its AI system, so always get valuable coins authenticated by professionals, regardless of what any app tells you.
CoinSnap Vs CoinKnow
CoinKnow offers industry-leading grading precision on the Sheldon Scale (1-70), achieving accuracy within a 2-point range—the strictest in the industry. CoinSnap simply can’t match this level of precision.
CoinKnow is one of only two apps worldwide that automatically detects rare error coins. It can spot double strikes, missing mint marks, and other valuable errors, while CoinSnap has no error detection capabilities whatsoever.
CoinKnow offers features CoinSnap doesn’t have: copper coin color classification (RD/RB/BN), proof coin recognition (CAM/DCAM), and automatic rare variety identification. These details significantly impact coin values and are essential for serious collectors.
CoinKnow achieves 98% identification accuracy across 300,000 coin types. While CoinSnap has strong foreign coin recognition, it lacks the professional-grade accuracy for U.S. coins—if you’re primarily collecting American coins, CoinKnow has the edge.
Unlike many competitors, CoinKnow offers free daily scan quotas instead of forcing subscriptions. This makes it accessible for casual collectors who can test the app’s capabilities without financial commitment.
CoinKnow provides comprehensive valuations based on recent auction records from Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers. The price database updates monthly to reflect current market conditions, giving you more reliable pricing information than CoinSnap’s estimates.
CoinSnap Vs CoinValueChecker
CoinValueChecker takes things further with price trend tracking, auction alerts, and collector leaderboards. It’s like having a professional portfolio manager for your coins, while CoinSnap offers basic information but lacks these advanced market analysis features.
Like CoinKnow, CoinValueChecker is one of only two apps that automatically detect error coins. It can identify double strikes, missing mint marks, and other valuable varieties, giving it a significant advantage over CoinSnap.
CoinValueChecker boasts 99% recognition accuracy on over 300,000 U.S. coin types. That’s slightly better than CoinKnow and notably better than CoinSnap for American coins—if accuracy is your top priority, CoinValueChecker leads the pack.
CoinValueChecker also offers copper color classification (RD/RB/BN), proof recognition (CAM/DCAM), and automatic variety detection. These professional features aren’t available in CoinSnap, and both CoinKnow and CoinValueChecker serve serious collectors better in this regard.
CoinValueChecker achieves accuracy within a 2-3 point range on the Sheldon Scale. While excellent for most collectors, it’s slightly less precise than CoinKnow’s 2-point range, but still far more accurate than CoinSnap’s unreliable grading.
CoinValueChecker lets you track your entire inventory with photos, notes, and real-time value updates. It also tracks live auction results across major platforms, which goes beyond CoinSnap’s basic favorites feature.
CoinValueChecker offers both website and mobile app versions for seamless access. You can manage your collection from anywhere, while CoinSnap is primarily mobile-focused.
CoinValueChecker’s wealth of features can be overwhelming for beginners. The interface has more complexity than CoinSnap’s straightforward design—if you’re just starting out, CoinSnap’s simplicity might feel more comfortable initially.
So, Is CoinSnap Legit?
Yes, CoinSnap is a legitimate app—but choosing the right tool depends on what coins you’re identifying. The key is matching the app to your specific needs.
If you’re identifying non-U.S. coins, CoinSnap is actually your best choice. Its strong foreign coin recognition capabilities make it ideal for international collections, and it excels at providing detailed specifications for coins from around the world.
However, if you’re identifying American coins, you should use CoinKnow or CoinValueChecker instead. Both apps specialize exclusively in U.S. coins, making them far more accurate and targeted for American collections with professional-grade grading precision, automatic error detection, and variety identification that CoinSnap simply cannot match.
For serious collectors working with valuable U.S. coins, the choice is clear: CoinKnow or CoinValueChecker will give you the accuracy and detailed analysis you need. CoinSnap’s unreliable grading and lack of error detection make it unsuitable for evaluating American coins worth significant money.
Remember that no app replaces professional authentication for valuable coins. Use these tools as helpful guides, but always consult experts for significant purchases or sales.
Final Recommendations
Choose CoinSnap if: You’re a complete beginner just getting started, you mainly collect foreign coins, you want simple quick identification without complexity, or you only need basic coin information.
Choose CoinKnow if: You want the most precise grading available, you collect U.S. coins seriously, error coins and varieties matter to you, or you prefer the strictest industry standards.
Choose CoinValueChecker if: You want advanced market analysis tools, portfolio management features appeal to you, you need cross-platform access, or auction tracking matters for your collecting strategy.
Remember: no app replaces professional authentication for valuable coins. Use these tools as helpful guides, but always consult experts for significant purchases or sales.
Media Contact
Company Name: CoinKnow
Email: Send Email
Address:Rm D07 8/F KAI TAK FTY BLDG STAGE 2 99 KING FUK ST
City: San Po Kong
Country: HongKong
Website: https://coinvalueapp.com/