The species was first described by the lichenologists André Aptroot and Marcela Cáceres in 2014, with the type specimen collected from the Amazonas region of Brazil.

The holotype is preserved at the ISE herbarium (Federal University of Sergipe), with isotypes held at ABL (Adviesbureau voor Bryologie en Lichenologie).

[1] Coenogonium coppinsii is unique within its genus, particularly for its habitat on the ground, unlike its congener which are typically found on tree bark or leaves.

Its morphological traits, such as the slender, elongated ascospores and small, cup-like (cupuliform) apothecia, set it apart from other Coenogonium species.

This species could be confused with Coenogonium lisowskii due to similar habitat and spore characteristics, but it differs significantly in the colour and openness of the apothecia.