To prevent a forged coin from secretly being changed with a genuine coin by a coin processor equipped with a coin discriminating device which is built in an automatic vending machine, etc., and discriminates whether a thrown-in coin is genuine or false and its kind and distributes the coin.

When the coin 1 is thrown in, a sensor 2 discriminates whether the coin 1 is genuine or false and its denomination and kind first. A distribution control means 3 drives a driving device 4 according to the discrimination result to place a gate 4a in operation and controls the distribution of the coin 1. Assuming that the distributed coin 1 is highest denomination coin among handled coins, a stopper 6a is provided in its path. A temporary holding control means 5 drives a driving device 6 to control the operation of the stopper 6a and temporarily hold the coin 1. Then when a return command or a purchase command for an article is sent from the automatic vending machine side, the coin 1 is released from being held. When no article is purchased and the return command is sent, an introduction destination switching control means 7 drives a driving device 8 to place a gate 8a in operation and distributes the coin 1 to the passage connecting to a return opening.