A coin validator (1) includes a coin path. It is desirable that a coin (14), travelling along the coin path, lies against a wall (9) of the coin path where sensor coils are located. In order to achieve this, a rounded mass (12), for example a metal ball, is supported to project into the coin path. In the case of a heavy coin (14), the coin (14) strikes an upper region of the mass (12) causing it to be pushed back out of the coin path. The movement of the mass (12) absorbs the kinetic energy of the coin (16). Then as the coin (16) passes the mass (12), it is deflected by the surface of the mass (12) against the wall (9) of the coin path. In the case of thin light coins, as the mass (12) does not extend fully across the coin path, a thin light coin does not need to move it and can pass through the gap between it and the wall (9). However, if the coin has an undesirable trajectory, it will be deflected by the surface of the mass (12) towards the wall (9).