Systems, methods and devices for coin processing and coin recycling

A method of processing and recycling coins, the method comprising:

• opening a tote lid of a coin tote of a plurality of handheld coin totes upon insertion of a base portion of the coin tote into a tote compartment of a plurality of tote compartments of a tote drawer,
• wherein the tote drawer is within a housing of a currency processing machine,
• wherein the coin tote is removably seated in the tote compartment,
• wherein the plurality of tote compartments are disposed along a length of a base of the tote drawer and are separated by partitions extending from the base of the tote drawer,
• wherein each coin tote of the plurality of handheld coin totes includes either an opening or an infrared transparent region, wherein the opening or the infrared transparent region of each coin tote of the plurality of handheld coin totes, when seated inside the tote drawer, is aligned with a common axis, and
• wherein each coin tote of the plurality of handheld coin totes includes a flange on the tote lid:
• wherein the currency processing machine comprises a coin processing unit configured to sort received coins, at least one coin-depositing receptacle, and a plurality of coin-recycling receptacles, each of the coin-recycling receptacles being associated with a single denomination of coin, wherein the plurality of coin-recycling receptacles includes the plurality of handheld coin totes;
• detecting that the common axis is blocked by the flange when the tote lid is closed when seated in the tote drawer, or is blocked by one or more coins when the coin tote is filled;
• receiving a batch of mixed coins in the currency processing machine;
• discharging sorted coins from the coin processing unit through a plurality of exit stations, each of the exit stations being associated with a single denomination of coin;
• receiving coins from each of the exit stations via one of a plurality of automated coin chutes, each of the automated coin chutes including a movable diverter plate configured to selectively transition between a first position, whereby coins received from the exit station are directed through a coin-recycling output passage, and a second position, whereby coins received from the exit station are directed through a coin-depositing output passage;
• discharging coins from the coin-recycling output passage of each of the automated coin chutes into a respective one of the coin-recycling receptacles;
• and
• discharging coins from the coin-depositing output passage of each of the automated coin chutes into the at least one coin-depositing receptacle.