Coin magic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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, much of 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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[edit] 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. As such, coin magic easily allows for the two qualities that make up ideal magic effects: interaction with the audience combined with startling visual illusions. 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.
[edit] The basic elements of coin magic
There is a large variety of coin effects 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, transformations and transpositions — combined in some order to produce the magical mystery. A simple effect might involve borrowing a coin, making it vanish, palming it for a time, then producing it again unexpectedly, and returning it to the owner. More complex effects may involve multiple coins; substituting or switching coins; and manipulating other objects (e.g.. handkerchiefs, glasses, etc) as well as the coins. However, the power of most coin magic lies in its simplicity and the solidity of the object; the basic skills of sleight of hand, misdirection, often appear most magical in the absence of complex equipment. Almost any audience will be amazed by the simplest mystery, such as passing a coin through a table.
[edit] Performance
Although some coin magic depends on a gimmick (e.g., such special equipment as a coin box, hollow coin shells, coins stuck together, oversized coins, folding coins, etc.), even such gimmicks do not entirely automate the magical effect. Producing a memorable mystery requires significant skill in presenting the effect, 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 an effect which depends (or seems to depend) entirely on skillful manipulation and misdirection, than by an effect which appears to depend to some extent on specially made props. A performer who has mastered the basic skills can nonetheless use gimmicks in one's routine to good effect, without it being obvious to the audience.
[edit] 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 flat on the palm and grip it lightly between the base of the thumb muscle and the little finger muscle. To begin with, use a large but light coin, such as a Kennedy half dollar or pre-1972 English penny. 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 practice. 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.
[edit] Common beginner errors
Common beginners errors include 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 practice 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.
If you have big hands, it may be more difficult to palm a coin. Or, if you can, it might be very obvious.
It can be useful to hold a pen, wand or small object to make the hand appear more natural.
[edit] Getting started
Magic stores often sell coin gimmicks with the implication that no practice is needed to dazzle an audience. In fact, whether an effect depends on a gimmick or not, a lot of practice is always needed to make it seem like magic. Those interested in coin magic are better off starting with a good book or DVD on the subject and practicing some of the basic skills. Generally regarded as a solid introduction to coin magic is the book, "Modern Coin Magic" by J.B. Bobo.
[edit] Coin Magic in literature
The Canadian novelist Robertson Davies devotes a good part of his Deptford Trilogy to the art of coin magic. All three novels follow in part or wholly the career of a fictitious magician, Magnus Eisengrim, who was abducted as a boy by a traveling circus and learned his craft while concealed in a papier-mâché automaton. The descriptions of coin magic throughout are remarkable for their clarity. The final novel in the series in particular World of Wonders details his life and career, and is considered by many to be one of the best literary depictions of a coin magic virtuoso.
In the Neil Gaiman novel American Gods, the main character, Shadow, is an experienced coin magician, and many different tricks and aspects of coin magic are discussed in the book.
Thieves, wizards, and jesters, in historical and fantasy literature are often depicted as being skilled in legerdemain, and are often depicted doing standard coin magic. Rolling a coin across the knuckles is a popular image. Silk in David Eddings's Belgariad, and Mat Cauthon and Thom Merrilin in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, do this frequently. Also, Vila Restal in the BBC science fiction television program Blake's Seven mixed his skills as a thief with such tricks.
