Coin identification apparatus

A method of operating a coin-operated apparatus to dispense an article, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing a plurality of distinct total vend values indicative of a currency amount required for an apparatus to dispense an article;
• providing a plurality of distinct tokens, each distinct token associated with one of the plurality of distinct total vend values;
• providing each one of the plurality of tokens with a distinct, metallic signature characteristic;
• storing the at least one detectable characteristic of each token;
• detecting the at least one characteristic of one token deposited into the apparatus;
• comparing the detected characteristic of the deposited token with the prestored characteristics of the plurality of tokens to determine a match with one of the prestored token characteristics;
• and
• changing the total vend value to the total vend value associated with the deposited token matching one of the prestored token characteristics.