Perconta Contovit

The  »’Perconta Contovit »’ is a coin sorting machine produced by Perconta, a German manufacturer of cash-handling equipment. Launched in the 1990s, the Contovit line is designed for high-accuracy counting and verification of  coins in banking, retail, and casino environments. It features advanced optical and magnetic sensors for counterfeit detection and denomination recognition, with models supporting multiple currencies including the euro, Swiss franc, and others.

History

The Contovit series was introduced in 1992 as a hybrid counter-sorter, building on the success of Perconta’s earlier coin sorters like the Sortofax. Early models focused on Swiss franc and major European currencies, with updates in the late 1990s to accommodate the impending euro adoption.

In 2002, Perconta was acquired by Scan Coin AB, a Swedish cash-handling specialist, which rebranded and enhanced the Contovit line under the Scan Coin umbrella. The series received European Central Bank (ECB) certification for euro note and coin processing under the Euro Test and Certification System (ETCS), with approvals for models such as Contovit V 2.0 noted in 2004. Production continued into the 2010s, with the final standalone models phased out around 2015.

As of 2025, refurbished Contovit units are still available through secondary markets.

Design and Functionality

Unlike the related Contorex series, which emphasizes sorting over pure counting, Contovit prioritizes speed and verification accuracy.

Applications

Contovit machines are deployed in:

•  »’Banking and Financial Institutions »’: For teller stations, vault reconciliation, and ATM replenishment.

•  »’Retail and Commercial »’: End-of-shift cash counting in supermarkets, pharmacies, and fuel stations.

•  »’Gaming and Hospitality »’: Bill and coin validation in casinos, bars, and hotels.

•  »’Public Services »’: Post offices and transportation for fare and stamp processing.

Their multi-currency support and ECB certification made them popular across Europe, with thousands of units installed by the mid-2000s.

Related Models

Perconta’s counting and sorting portfolio includes:

•  »’Contorex »’: Advanced note sorters with orientation and facing capabilities.

•  »’Sortovit »’: High-speed coin sorters for bulk processing.

•  »’Sortofax »’: Compact coin counters for retail use.