Coin magic
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Coin magic is a general term for feats of conjuring employing one or more coins which are manipulated so as to deceive and baffle the audience. Because it is focused on physically small objects, coin magic is classed as close-up magic or table magic, as the audience must be close to the performer to see the effects. Stage conjurors generally cannot use coin effects. Coin magic is generally considered harder to master than other close-up techniques such as card magic, and is one of the least performed forms of conjuring. Coin magic requires great skill and grace to perform convincingly, and this takes a lot of practice to acquire.
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Why coins?
Coin magic is highly respected among magicians, and is well received among all audiences and all ages. Illusions with coins often have a significant impact on the spectator because coins are such common objects, people handle them every day, and they will tend to have less suspicion that the coin is gimmicked. Coins are also power symbols, and this allows people to feel more of a connection to the illusion, especially when the illusion is performed with a borrowed coin. Conjurors like to have in their repertoire some effects which can be performed with any common coin, as these can be shown impromptu, on demand, in the street, in a bar, or at a social occasion, without the need to carry any magic props in case the opportunity comes to give entertainment. Such spontaneous performances often have a strong impact.
The basic elements of coin magic
There are a large variety of coin tricks published in the conjuring literature, and much ingenuity has gone into developing each effect, but a high proportion of them can be reduced to a few basic elements -- such as vanishes, productions, and palms -- combined in some order to produce the desired effect. A simple trick might involve borrowing a coin, making it vanish, palming it for a time, then producing it again in an unexpected way, and returning it to the owner. More complex tricks may involve palming multiple coins; substituting or switching coins; and manipulating other objects (eg. handkerchiefs, glasses, etc) as well as the coins. However, the power of most coin magic lies in its simplicity; the basic skills of sleight of hand, distraction, misdirection, and ingenuity are shown at their best by the absence of complex equipment. Almost any audience will be amazed by the simplest trick, such as vanishing a coin above a table and producing it below the table, as if it had passed straight through.
Performance
Some coin tricks depend on gimmicks and special equipment, such as coin boxes, hollow coin shells, coins stuck together, oversized coins, folding coins etc. However, even these gimmicks do not completely automate the effect; there is still significant skill required in presenting the trick, delivering the patter, distracting the audience from the secret of the gimmick, and manipulating the equipment without arousing suspicion about the true method of operation. A performer who relies entirely on special equipment will not impress an audience. Many people are more impressed by a trick which depends (or seems to depend) entirely on skillful manipulation and misdirection, than by a trick which appears to depend to some extent on specially made props. However, a performer who has mastered the basic skills can often use gimmicks in their routine to good effect, without it being obvious to the audience.
Palming
The most basic skill usually learned by beginners is palming a coin. Palming is the general term for carrying and concealing one or more coins in the hand so that the hand looks and behaves like an empty hand. There are several palming techniques, and the choice will depend on the size and type of coin to be concealed, the preceding and following manipulations, and personal preference. A good practitioner should master several palming methods, and be able to palm a coin in both hands. The simplest technique (the classic palm) is to place a coin (to begin with, use a 30mm coin, such as a Kennedy half dollar or pre-1972 English penny) flat on the palm and grip it lightly between the base of the thumb muscle and the pinky finger muscle. Grip it only just enough to make the coin stay in place when the palm is face down. The hand appears empty and can be used freely and convincingly. Smaller or heavier coins are harder to palm, but the skill can be acquired with practise. In order to make the hand look natural, the magician uses it to pick up objects, point, snap the fingers, or to handle other coins, while ensuring that the spectator cannot see a metallic flash at any time during these movements. These misdirections signal to the audience that the hand is empty. The acting skills involved in making the hand move naturally and appear empty, are the hardest part of the palming skill.
Common beginner errors
Common beginners errors are holding the coin too high up in the palm (too close to the finger joints), which requires an obvious inward curl to grip the coin, giving away the secret. Beginners must practise not only the actual palm grip, but getting the coin into the palm and out again without fumbling; misdirection actions; and building the skill into a routine.
Getting started
Magic stores often sell coin gimmicks, with the implication that no practice is needed before dazzling an audience. In fact, whether a trick depends on a gimmick or not, a lot of practise is always needed if a good effect is to be obtained. Those interested in coin magic are better off starting by buying a good book on the subject (eg. Modern Coin Magic by J B Bobo) and practising some of the basic skills. Before long they will be able to perform simple routines.