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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 33aQdgFvxWaaSpAcxGv9Qg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001013762-10-002907.txt : 20101123
<SEC-HEADER>0001013762-10-002907.hdr.sgml : 20101123
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20101123160904
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001013762-10-002907
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101119
FILED AS OF DATE:		20101123
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20101123

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ADIPIETRO FRANK J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001381026

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-33155
		FILM NUMBER:		101211892

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		119 RAM ISLAND DRIVE
		CITY:			SHELTER ISLAND
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11964

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COATES INTERNATIONAL LTD \DE\
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000948426
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES [3714]
		IRS NUMBER:				222925432
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HIGHWAY 34 & RIDGEWOOD RD
		CITY:			WALL TOWNSHIP
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07719
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9084497717

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HIGHWAY 34 & RIDGWOOD ROAD
		CITY:			WALL TOWNSHIP
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07719
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-11-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000948426</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COATES INTERNATIONAL LTD \DE\</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>COTE.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001381026</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ADIPIETRO FRANK J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>119 RAM ISLAND DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SHELTER ISLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11964</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock options (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.4</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>85000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2025-11-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>85000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>160000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">All Stock Options vest on November 18, 2011.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Frank J. Adipietro</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-11-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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