TRICKS WITH COINS
MAGICAL PRODUCTION OF A COIN.--Come forward with a coin palmed in the
right hand. Draw attention to the left hand, showing it back and front
as empty, and, as if in illustration of what you say, give the palm a
smart slap with the right hand, leaving the coin behind, and slightly
contracting the fingers so as to retain it; now show the right hand
empty, pulling up the sleeve with the left hand which masks the
presence of the coin, then close the left, and after one or two passes
over it with the right hand, produce the coin.
A NEW COIN FOLD.--Take a piece of paper four inches by five inches,
place a coin on it and fold the top of the paper down over the coin to
within one inch of the bottom. Then fold the right hand side of the
paper under the coin, treating the left hand side in a similar way. You
must now fold the bottom one inch of paper under the coin and you will,
apparently, have wrapped it securely in the paper; but really it is in
a kind of pocket, and will readily slip out into either hand at
pleasure.
Allow several persons in the audience to feel the coin through the
paper, then take it from the left hand to the right, letting the coin
slip out into the left hand, which picks up a plate from the table. You
now burn the paper in the flame of a candle, and, dropping the ashes on
the plate, the coin is found to have disappeared.
A pretty effect can be obtained if, instead of using a piece of
ordinary paper for the above, you make use of a piece of "flash" paper,
which when placed in the flame of a candle vanishes entirely, leaving
no trace behind.
COIN AND CANDLE.--Repeat the last trick, using "flash" paper for the
same and dispensing with the plate. When about to burn the paper in the
flame of the candle, stand with the left hand, which contains the coin,
holding the right lappet of your coat. After the flash show the hand
empty, then take hold of the right lappet of the coat with the right
hand, and in doing so let the coin drop from the left hand into it. The
left hand immediately takes hold of the left lapel, and both hands pull
the coat open as if to show that the coin is not concealed there. It is
now a simple matter, but very effective, to lower the right hand over
the candle and produce the coin apparently from the flame.
THE INVISIBLE FLIGHT.--Hold the coin between the fingers and thumb of
the left hand, looking at it yourself. From this position appear to
take it in the right hand by passing the thumb under and the fingers
over the coin. The coin is really allowed to drop into the fingers of
the left hand, which contract slightly so as to retain it; the right
hand is closed as if it really contained the coin and is followed by
the eyes of the performer. The palm of the left hand can now be shown
casually, when it will appear empty, the coin being held between the
first and second joints of the fingers, which are slightly curled. The
left hand is now closed and the piece apparently passed from the right
hand into it; the left hand is then slowly opened, disclosing the coin
lying on the palm.
The reader will have noticed that up to this point no duplicate coins
have been used, nor has it been necessary to exchange one coin for
another. This forms what may be termed legitimate sleight of hand, and
is to be recommended; but sometimes for the sake of effect it is really
necessary to use a duplicate coin, and I will now mention one or two
instances.
For the following tricks a duplicate coin is prepared with a very small
hook attached to one side about one-quarter inch from its edge. This
coin is placed in the performer's right vest pocket, and is obtained by
means of the following trick.
VANISH FOR DUPLICATE.--Holding the coin you have been using in your
right hand, you appear to place it in the left; instead of doing so,
however, you palm it. Close the left hand as if it contained the coin,
and then say that you will pass it from that hand into your waistcoat
pocket; show the hand empty and then with the same hand take the
duplicate coin from the pocket. The other coin, you will remember,
remains palmed in the right hand.
TO PASS A COIN THROUGH THE BODY.--In continuation of the preceding
trick you place the left hand (holding the hooked coin) behind the body
and attach the coin to the back between the shoulders, remarking:--"I
shall next undertake a very difficult experiment, which consists in
passing the coin right through my body, commencing from behind, up into
my left hand" (as you say this you extend the hand closed). Some one is
almost sure to remark that the coin may be in the hand already, to
which you reply:--"Pardon me, no, I would not deceive you by so mean an
expedient. See, the left hand is perfectly empty. If you prefer it I
will use the other hand, which is also quite empty." You should have
been holding the right hand, in which is the palmed coin, well extended
and open, with the back toward the audience. The right hand will in
nine cases out of ten be chosen, but should you be called upon to use
the left you will have recourse to the method employed in the "Magical
Production of Coin" at the head of this chapter, to get the coin into
the left hand. Should the right hand be chosen, you may, with some
caution, remark:--"Well, it's just as well to have the right one, but
still I left it to you."
All that remains for you to do now is to make believe, in the most
dramatic manner possible, that the coin is travelling up the body,
along the arm, and into the chosen hand, whence you let it fall on to a
table or chair. Should the coin fall on the ground, you will be careful
not to expose the one on your back when picking it up.
SWALLOWING ILLUSIONS.--Having secured the coin again, appear to place
it in the mouth, palming it, and producing it from the bottom of the
vest. Repeat this pass, and remark:--"This time, by way of variation,
we will stop the coin when it gets half way down and give it a sharp
push" (strike your chest rather violently with both hands), "which will
have the effect of sending it right through the body again." You now
turn round and show the coin sticking on your back.
COIN AND LEMONS.--Still keeping the coin palmed from the last trick,
remove the one from your back and hold it between the forefinger and
thumb of the left hand, from which you take it as in the "Invisible
Flight." This time, however, you do actually take it with the right
hand, and at the same time let fall from the right hand the coin
concealed therein. The left hand now contains a coin, but will be
thought to be empty. This movement is employed here to satisfy the
spectators that you are working with one coin only, you having, without
apparent design, shown both hands empty, with the exception of the
piece you are using.
You now lay the hooked coin down on the table and go behind the scenes
for three lemons and a knife, which have been placed there in readiness
on a plate. One of the lemons has a slit cut in it, into which you
insert the coin you have carried off. Coming forward with the lemons on
the plate, you force the choice of the one with the coin in the
following manner:--"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have here three lemons. I
only require one for the purpose of my trick and I will ask you to
decide which it shall be. Which of the three do you prefer, the right
or the left, or the one behind?" (The one behind is the prepared one.)
If the one behind is chosen take it and proceed. If the right or the
left is chosen throw it to the person making the selection, with the
remark, "Thank you, I hope you will find it sweet." You will now have
two left and you continue:--"I have now only two lemons. Which one
shall I take, the right or the left?" If the prepared one is chosen
take it and proceed with the trick. If the other one is chosen take it
with the remark:--"Very good, then I will use the one that remains for
the purpose of the trick."
You now force the knife into the lemon, inserting it in the slit
already made, and give it to some one to hold high in the air. Now pick
up the coin from the table and vanish it by one or other of the means
already described (a good method is given in the next trick), and then
have the fruit cut open and the coin disclosed.
The above form of ambiguous questioning can be used in any trick where
it is essential that a particular article be chosen.
You can avoid going behind the scenes by adopting the following ruse:
Go to the wing, and extending your hand, in which is the coin, behind
it, call out loudly to your assistant--"Bring me those lemons, please."
In drawing attention to the fruit it is perfectly natural for you to
extend your hand behind the wing and thus dispose of the coin.
THE POCKET VANISH.--Take a coin in the right hand and make believe to
place it in the left, really palming it. The left hand is closed as if
it contained the coin and held away from the body. The right hand pulls
back the sleeve slightly as if to show that the coin has not been
vanished in that direction. This movement brings the right hand over
the outside breast pocket of the coat, into which the coin is allowed
to fall unperceived. The coin is now vanished from the left hand in the
orthodox manner and both hands are shown empty.
Should you desire to regain possession of the coin, have the outside
pocket made communicating with an inside one on the same side of the
coat; when, having shown the right hand unmistakably empty, you produce
the coin thence, in a magical manner.
The preceding list of coin tricks has been arranged in combination, the
one to follow the other in a natural manner, for an entertainment, as
actually presented to an audience. I cannot, however, leave the subject
of coin tricks without making mention of several other very deceptive
experiments, which will doubtless be new to the majority of my readers.
TO PASS A COIN INTO AN ORDINARY MATCHBOX HELD BY ONE OF THE
SPECTATORS.--Prepare a matchbox as follows:--Push open the sliding
portion about one inch. Then fix between the top of the slide and the
back end of the box a coin, the greater part of which is overhanging
the box, the whole being out of sight of the casual observer. Arranged
thus, give the box to some one to hold with instructions that when you
count three the box is to be closed smartly. This will have the effect
of jerking the coin into the box.
You now take a duplicate coin and vanish it by means of the "Pocket
Vanish," or any other convenient method, counting "One! two! three!"
when, acting according to your instructions, the person will close the
box, and the coin will be heard to fall inside.
COIN, WINE-GLASS, AND PAPER CONE.--This very pretty and amusing table
trick consists in causing a coin placed under a wine-glass, the whole
being covered with a paper cone, to disappear and return as often as
desired.
The following arrangements are necessary:--Take a wine-glass, and,
having placed a little gum all round its edge, turn it over on a sheet
of white paper, and when dry cut away the paper close to the glass.
Obtain a Japanese tray and on it lay a large sheet of paper similar to
that covering the mouth of the glass, and stand the glass, mouth
downward, on it. Make a paper cone to fit over the glass and you are
ready to present the illusion.
Borrow a penny and lay it on the large sheet of paper by the side of
the wine-glass; cover the glass with the paper cone, and place the
whole over the coin. Command the penny to disappear, and on removing
the cone it will seem to have done so, as the paper over the mouth of
the glass, being the same color as that on the tray, effectually
conceals the coin. To cause it to reappear you replace the cone and
carry away the glass under it. This can be repeated as often as
desired.
To make the experiment more effective, use colored paper, which shows
up against the coin more than white.
COINS, HAT, AND PLATE.--In this experiment a number of borrowed and
marked coins are passed invisibly into a hat covered with a plate.
Obtain a small metal box large enough to contain half a dozen coins of
the kind you intend to use. This box should be enamelled white and have
an opening in one side large enough for the coins to pass through. A
common pill-box would answer the purpose, but a metal one is
preferable. Place a little wax on the top of the box and leave it, with
the plate, on a table at the rear of the stage. Borrow a silk hat,
which leave on your table. Then obtain the loan of six marked coins,
which you change for six of your own, as you go back to the stage. Drop
the latter coins into a tumbler, or lay them in some other conspicuous
position on the table, and go to the rear of the stage for the plate.
Introduce the marked coins into the box, and attach it by means of the
wax to the under side of the plate. Come forward, and having shown the
hat to be quite empty, place the plate over it, being careful to note
the position of the hole in the side of the box.
You now take the coins from the glass and appear to place them in the
left hand, really palming them in the right, which forthwith drops them
into a little box containing sawdust placed on the servante. The coins
are retained in the right hand by a slight contraction of the fingers,
as in "The Invisible Flight." They should be held in the hand at the
base of the thumb and jerked into position in the act of apparently
passing them from one hand to the other. The pass called "Le
Tourniquet" is a better one for a number of coins. The noise of the
coins as they fall into the hand is quite natural, as it would be
almost impossible to actually take them in silence. Now pick up the hat
with the right hand, holding it at arm's length; vanish the money from
the left hand in the usual way, at the same time tilting the hat
slightly in the right direction, when the coins will be heard to fall
inside.
TO VANISH A MARKED COIN FROM A TUMBLER AND CAUSE IT TO APPEAR IN A
SMALL BOX, WRAPPED IN PAPER, IN THE CENTRE OF A LARGE BALL OF
WOOL.--For this very surprising trick you will require to make the
following preparations:--Procure a tumbler having a slit cut flush
with, and parallel to, the bottom, which should be flat. The opening
should be just large enough to allow a half dollar dropped into the
tumbler to slip through into your hand. (See Fig. 8.)
[Illustration: Fig. 8.--Prepared Tumbler]
Obtain a small metal box large enough to take the coin easily, also a
flat tin tube about three inches long and just wide enough for the half
dollar to slide through it. Place one end of this tube inside the box
and close the lid on it, keeping it in position by passing an elastic
band over the box. You now wrap the box in paper and wind a quantity of
wool round it until you get a large ball with the end of the tube
projecting about one inch. Place the ball thus prepared on a table at
the rear of the stage and you are ready to perform.
Show the tumbler, and draw attention to the fact that it is an ordinary
one by filling it with water from a jug, which can be done by placing
the forefinger round the slit. Return the water to the jug and borrow a
half dollar, which has been marked by the owner, allowing him to
actually drop it into the glass. Cover the tumbler with a handkerchief,
shaking it continually to prove that the coin is still there, and then
place it down on your table, securing the coin through the slit as you
do so. Going to the back of the stage for the ball of wool, you insert
the coin into the tube and withdraw the latter, when the action of the
elastic band closes the box. Bring the ball forward in a large glass
basin and have the wool unwound, disclosing the box; on this being
opened the marked coin will be found within.
TO VANISH A NUMBER OF COINS FROM A PLATE IN A SHEET OF FLAME.--Place a
tea-plate near the rear edge of your table, and a sheet of "flash"
paper, large enough to cover the plate, in front of it. You must also
have another plate on the servante and you are then ready to commence.
After performing any trick in which a number of coins have been used,
throw them on the plate, carelessly dropping several on the table. Take
up the plate in one hand and the piece of paper in the other, and
holding the plate just behind the table, and over that on the servante,
apparently sweep the loose coins on to the plate you are holding,
really letting all fall on the hidden one, under cover of the paper,
which you immediately place over the plate in your hand.
Every one will now suppose the money to be on the plate which, with
studied carelessness, you bring forward just over the flame of a candle
burning on the table. The paper ignites and disappears in a sheet of
flame, and the plate is found empty.
PROGRAMME AND COIN.--The effect of this experiment, which is an
improvement on the old "programme and ring" trick, as no stage
assistant is required, is as follows:--The performer borrows a marked
half dollar from a stranger in the audience, immediately handing it to
a gentleman to examine the mark, date, and other items. While this is
being done the performer obtains the loan of a programme, which he
tears in half, laying one half on his table. The gentleman is now
requested to place the coin in the half of the programme held by the
performer, who wraps it up and gives it to him to hold. He now goes to
his table for a piece of sealing-wax, which he passes several times
over the packet held by the gentleman, when immediately it is found
transformed into a packet of three envelopes, made from the programme,
all gummed and sealed one inside the other, with the marked half dollar
in the smallest one. As the gentleman cannot see how it is done the
performer repeats the trick for his benefit with the other half of the
programme, but the result is the same. This time, however, the
gentleman is requested to take the last envelope to the owner of the
money, that he may open it and satisfy himself that it actually
contains his own coin.
The six envelopes are now rolled up and given to the gentleman to hand
to the lady, to keep as a souvenir of the entertainment, but before he
has proceeded far the performer tells him he has dropped one of them
(he has not really done so), and, failing to find it, he very naturally
begins to count those in his hand, when he discovers to his
astonishment that he holds the programme restored.
_Explanation._--After the performer has borrowed the half dollar, in
the act of handing it to the gentleman for examination, he adroitly
changes it for one of his own bearing the mark of a cross, which mark
is of course taken for that of the owner of the coin. The performer now
asks for the loan of a programme, and while one is being procured he
drops the actual borrowed coin into the smallest of the three envelopes
which are placed one inside the other in the right profonde. To
facilitate the introduction of the coin a tin tube, with a rather wide
mouth, just large enough for the coin to pass through, is placed in the
smallest envelope. After the coin has been introduced this tube is
withdrawn, left in the pocket, and the envelopes closed.
[Illustration: Fig. 9.--Packet of Three Envelopes]
The flaps of the envelopes are sealed with wax beforehand and prepared
with the best gum arabic, which is allowed to dry hard. They are
moistened with the tongue just as you are about to commence the trick,
and if cut as in Fig. 9, can be closed all together while in the
pocket. This packet is laid on the table under cover of the half of the
programme used in the second stage of the trick.
To commence the trick the performer palms a similar packet of envelopes
containing another half dollar marked in exactly the same way as the
one he handed to the gentleman, and, it is hardly necessary to remark,
being of the same appearance, and bearing the same date. When rolling
up the programme the performer retains it and hands the gentleman the
packet of envelopes; and when going to his table for the wax leaves the
half of the programme and the half dollar thereon. By the time the
first coin is taken from the envelopes the packet containing the actual
borrowed coin will be dry and ready for use.
The remaining portion of the trick will now be understood. When the
performer goes for the other half of the programme he takes the packet
of envelopes with it and substitutes it as before, and the trick
proceeds as described. When collecting the six envelopes for the final
effect the performer palms a duplicate programme which has been lying
on his table behind some object, and substitutes this as before when
handing the gentleman the envelopes to take to the lady.
FILTRATED COIN.--Borrow a half dollar from one of the company, wrap it
up in a handkerchief, and request some one to hold it over a glass of
water on the table. Hey, presto! The coin is dropped into the glass and
heard to jingle. When the handkerchief is removed the half dollar has
disappeared, having been apparently dissolved in the water. Placing
your hand under the table you produce the coin, which you declare has
passed through the glass and table-top. This exceedingly effective
trick is accomplished by means of a glass disk of the same diameter as
a half dollar. The modus operandi is as follows: Borrow a half dollar
and while holding it in your hand throw a handkerchief over it. Under
cover of the handkerchief exchange the coin for the glass disk which
you have concealed in your palm. Now get some one to hold the disk by
its edges through the handkerchief, directly over the glass of water.
Pronounce your magical phrase, and command your volunteer assistant to
drop the half dollar (disk) into the glass. The disk will be
precipitated into the glass with a jingle that exactly simulates the
falling of a genuine coin, and will adhere to the bottom of the glass,
where it will not be seen. You may even pour out the water, but the
disk, thanks to the power of suction, will remain in the same position,
firmly attached to the drinking glass, which of course must have a flat
bottom. A ginger-ale or beer glass of small diameter comes in handy for
this capital trick. After sufficient palaver, the genuine half-dollar
may be reproduced from under the table or from the pocket of the
volunteer assistant.
THE PENETRATING COIN.--This coin trick may be performed anywhere, and
requires no special preparation. A borrowed Derby hat is placed upon
the mouth of a tumbler, (Fig. 10). Three half dollars are now borrowed
and tossed into the hat, whereupon one of the coins is seen to
penetrate the crown of the hat, and drop visibly and audibly into the
tumbler beneath. It is thus explained. In the act of placing the hat on
the glass, secretly and without jingling, slip a coin of your own
between the rim of the glass and the hat. The weight of the latter will
retain the coin in position, which of course is on the side of the hat
farthest from the spectators. The dropping of the borrowed coins in the
hat will disturb the balance of the secret half-dollar, causing it to
fall into the tumbler. It is hardly necessary to remind the student
that the fourth coin must be gotten rid of unbeknown to the audience,
otherwise the effect of the experiment will be destroyed. In putting
the hat in position two hands may be used. This will greatly facilitate
the placing of the coin on the rim of the tumbler. You should lay
stress on the fact that it is necessary to get the hat evenly on the
glass. As simple as this trick seems in explanation, it is nevertheless
wonderfully illusive, and can be recommended to the amateur as worthy
of his repertoire, especially for the parlor, or club room.
[Illustration: Fig. 10.--Penetrating Coin]
An excellent coin trick, to be used in conjunction with the preceding
illusion, is the following: The performer shows a coin and forthwith
proceeds to pass it into the hat by way of the crown. That there may be
no doubt as to the actual passing of the coin it is left sticking half
way through the hat; a final push and it is heard to fall inside. The
coin used is a trick one constructed as follows: A groove is first
turned round its extreme edge deep enough to conceal a small
india-rubber band. It is next cut in half across its diameter. A hole
is drilled in the centre of one half in which is inserted a needle
point. In the other half a slot is cut to admit the needle. The two
halves are now placed together and kept in position by passing the band
round the groove afore mentioned. (See Fig. 11.) This coin has a
distinct advantage over the older form in which the one half only was
used, in so far that it may at the outset be shown as an ordinary coin.
When giving the final push it is, of course, withdrawn and palmed.
[Illustration: Fig. 11.--Trick Coin]
COIN IN THE BOTTLE.--With a coin grooved and prepared as above and cut
into three pieces, but minus the needle point, the amateur can perform
the deceptive trick of the half-dollar in the bottle. You first borrow
a half dollar from a spectator, and secretly exchange it for your
"folding-coin." Exhibit the bottle, which should be of clear glass,
preferably, and demonstrate the impossibility of passing a coin into
its neck. Then grasp the mouth of the bottle in the manner depicted in
Fig. 12, the coin being concealed from the spectators by your fingers.
Bend the coin and insert it in the neck of the bottle, after which give
the mouth of the bottle a violent blow with the palm of the hand. The
coin will enter the bottle, and expand as soon as it passes the neck.
You may now pass the bottle for inspection, without any one being able
to discover the secret of the trick. A clever amateur with the aid of a
very fine metal saw and a file can manufacture the folding coin for
himself.
[Illustration: Fig. 12.--Coin in Bottle]