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How to Do a Disappearing & Reappearing Coin Trick

Making a coin disappear and reappear is, along with skillful card sleights, one of the litmus tests of a budding magician. One of the the quickest and simplest ways to perform this trick is known as the "Drop Catch," where the magician makes a coin disappear from one hand and then reappear on top of the other.

Instructions

  1. Setup

    • 1

      Ask a spectator for a coin. This rules out the possibility of using a gimmicked coin and the entire illusion seems more fair. Take the coin and place it on the fingertips of your right hand.

    • 2

      Take a magic wand in your left hand -- a pen or pencil works just as well -- and hold it between your finger and thumb, leaving your left palm open. In a moment, you will catch the coin in your left hand. Tap the coin three times. On the third tap, quickly flick the coin upwards with your fingers. With a little practice, you will be able to flick the coin directly into the open palm of your left hand. Perform this quickly and the spectator will not see the deception as she will be focused on the wand. This is because she knows that the coin is genuine.

    • 3

      Drop the wand and slide the coin along the inside of your left fist until it reaches your index finger and thumb. Simultaneously put the palm of your right hand on your left fist. Move both hands up quickly at the same time, leaving a 2 to 3-inch gap between your right palm and the top of your left fist. Using your left thumb, aided by the momentum of the upward motion, flick the coin out and up and then bring your right hand down on top of it. Perform this quickly and the upward coin flick will not be perceptible to the spectator. It will appear as though the coin has appeared out of thin air.

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