Fabricated Ag@Au core–shell nanoparticle (CS NP) assemblies exhibit pronounced and reverse chiral bisignate plasmonic signals spanning 400 to 580 nm, in comparison to Ag NP assemblies. The time-dependent chiro-optical response of assemblies that shift with shell deposition is systematically recorded. Chiral Ag@Au CS NP assemblies first achieve the special discrimination of circulating tumor cells with HER2 overexpression. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.