COINED

By Louis Christianer

The magician turns one hand palm up. The other hand picks up two coins from the table, placing the coins on the palm up hand.

Giving the spectators a moment to observe the coins on hand, the other hand picks up one of the coins placing it on the other coin. The two coins are then lifted off the palm by the free hand. The palm up hand is turned palm down. The two coins are then placed on the back of the hand.

The fingers of the free hand then move down onto the coins, giving them a gentle tap.

One of the coins penetrates through the hand to fall on the table top. The other coin remains resting on the back of the hand.

The magician takes the coin remaining on the hand, picks up the coin on the table. Then drops both coins on the table. The coin routine then continues, the two coins on the table being nothing more than what they are.

Props

Two coins of the same size and value and a matching shell coin are used.

Setup & Handling

This approach to a coin penetration was created by Louis Christianer and was published as "A move with the shell coin" in the Sphinx magazine of September 15, 1916.

Such a large number of fine moves may be made with the shell coin that it behooves all entertainers who make use of coin tricks to perfect the few of these moves. The following move has been a favorite of mine for a number of years.

To begin with, a palming coin with a shell on it is placed in the palm of the left hand. On the fingers an ordinary palming coin is placed.

With the fingers of the right hand place the coin from the fingers on top of the shell coin as shown above.

Then between the thumb and second finger of the right hand, pick up the coin and shell, immediately turning the hand over so the coin gripped in the palm will not be seen.

The palming coin on top of the shell is allowed to slip on top of the back of the hand, and on top of this, just overlapping it, place the shell.

The left photo above shows one coin classic palmed in the hand.

Now with the right hand palm give the coin and shell a little tap and side shove, which will force the shell over the coin.

At the same time let the palmed coin drop to the floor.

This will give the impression that the coin was knocked right through the hand.

The thumb and first, second and third fingers of the right hand at once pick up the coin and shell on back of hand, and drop the coin out of the shell onto the table, while the shell is at once palmed.

This is one of the finest little moves for pocket work I have ever seen, and as far as I know, is original with myself.

Handling Notes

In placing the coin with the shell under it on the back of the hand, the real coin is allowed to slide forward by tilting the coin and shell down slightly, then placing the shell on top of a portion of the real coin. This is more easily done than described.

Performance Notes

An expanded shell is used and two unprepared coins each with one side matching the shell face. The two normal coins should be of similar condition, cleanness, and of the same year.

Louis F. Christianer, sometime partner with magic dealer Floyd Thayer, author of a number of magic booklets, worked in vaudeville and as a society entertainer circa 1917-29.