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Seth Special user 566 Posts |
I know that the topic of which coins you guys like to use has already been covered but I'd like to know the reason behind using the coins you do. Right now I'm only on normal half dollars and am thinking of trying some of the others. Any recommendations?
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johne Special user 960 Posts |
With me, I go through phases. The other day, I requested some gold dollars. The are just slightly larger than a quarter, and lack the milled edges. I carried them around for about 3 weeks, and practiced doing transpositions with quarters.
If I'm working on an Okito Box routine, I'll carry around halves. If I see a nice spellbound move, I'll carry around halves and English Pennies. Usually I stick to quarters at work. I tend to visit the vending machines a lot! John Eddington |
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Nir Dahan Inner circle Munich, Germany 1390 Posts |
The problem is even bigger to us in Europe.
We don't really have any big coins (half dollar size) anymore. |
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Seth Special user 566 Posts |
Well, the English 2 pound coin is ok. Not as big though, but ok.
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KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
I stick with the half, quarter, and English Pennies, since the gaff coins are easy to come by here. A friend of mine is into the gold dollar thing, but the gaffs are a little spendy, so he doesn't have many, and works the sleights pretty heavy instead.
Jim Pace has several of the gaff gold dollar coins at whiterabbitmagic.com They tarnish pretty fast, but are very attractive when polished up nice and shiny.
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
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Dan Watkins Inner circle PA 3028 Posts |
So far I carry routinely with me 2 coin purses. (Half dollar size and dollar size purses.)
One purse has Kennedy half dollars, English Pennies, and a Chinese coin. The other purse has Morgan Dollars and dollar sized copper, brass, and gold coins. Dollar sized Chinese coins. |
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Joedy New user 79 Posts |
I use coins that are comfortable in size (diameter) and weight. I like the new golden dollar coin here in the US. (Can ANYONE say how it is pronounced?!)
They're still relatively new to most Americans up close, but most everyone has either seen it on the TV or heard about it one way or another. This helps reduce the "magic prop" syndrome when using them. |
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Seth Special user 566 Posts |
Whoa there guys. You don't get off so easy Dan and Joedy...
Could you guys explain why you use those coins as opposed to say walking liberties or other coins? Thanks. |
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John Clarkson Special user Santa Barbara, CA 749 Posts |
I use Franklin Halves simply because they are silver, not sandwiched, AND because they bear the date of my birth. That fact gives me the excuse to show the coin to the spectator for a reason other than saying, "Here, check out this ordinary, ungimmicked coin..." I talk about my age, and the "good old days, and tell them I like these coins because they remind me of my youth. I am surprised at how many people have not seen them. (Gosh, I AM getting old.)
I have to have my gaffs especially made. Johnson has been very willing to oblige me. Ordinarily, if you want nearly-pure silver, you have to get pre-1964 Kennedy Halves or the Walking Liberty.
John D. Clarkson, S.O.B. (Sacred Omphaloskeptic Brotherhood)
Cozener "There is nothing more important to a magician than keeping secrets. Probably because so many of them are Gay." —Peggy, from King of the Hill (Sleight of Hank) |
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Dan Watkins Inner circle PA 3028 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-12-02 20:53, Seth wrote: People recognize Kennedy halves. I started with Kennedy halves. They work, so I didn't change what wasn't broken. English Pennies are standard for coin magic. The Chinese coin is for changing to something other than silver or copper. I also have my gaff coins in Kennedy silver and English Pennies. Morgan Dollars I use because I bought Kohler's Ultimate 3 Fly which comes in Morgans. I since got other gaffs in Morgan Dollars. The Copper/Silver/Brass/Gold coins I carry are for my King Midas Spellbound routine. The dollar sized Chinese coins I just recently got to work on some of the stuff from Curtis Kam's Palms of Steel 2. |
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Full Effect Loyal user Los Angeles 257 Posts |
I love using my Walking Liberty coins just because they look so beautiful. I have 2 sets. One set is from 1944, not so worn out and very very shiny. The other set is from the early 1900s, "soft coins," very warn out and make no noise.
"Running water never becomes stale, so keep flowing" - Immortal Dragon Bruce Lee
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Curtis Kam V.I.P. same as you, plus 3 and enough to make 3498 Posts |
I agree with Dan. Buy what's on my latest DVD, end of subject.
Actually, any real coin guy can go on and on for hours about why he uses the coins he does. It's amazing the restraint I see being exercised thus far. You're probably looking for insight, however, perhaps some greater truth. With that in mind, I offer the following: We, the coinmen, in order to perform more perfect magic, do declare the following truths to be self-evident: Use the largest coins you can handle. If you're over 6' tall and your hands are proportional, chances are that you producing a quarter is like Sigfried and Roy standing centerstage at the Mirage and producing a rabbit. Sure it's magic, but it's just not that impressive. Pure silver coins sound better and won't turn your hands green. Silver holds its shine longer. Only silver coins are old enough to be "soft." Clad coins just haven't been around that long. The more valuable the coins appear, the more likely it is that: a) someone will grab them and refuse to give them back; b)you'll drop one down a sewer grate; 3)people will assume they're "trick coins." If you use common clad halves, a) you can actually give them away if you want to; b) If you drop them, so what?; c) people will tend to focus more on you than your props. Sharp milled edges are good, especially if you have dry skin. Not such a good thing for the muscle pass. Don't worry if you can't do a full backpalm with the coins of your choice. It's just not that important. There is no good copper coin in silver dollar size. Many spectators can't comfortably hold any coin larger than a half without some of it peeking out. For the mainly visual stuff where I handle the coins, I use Morgans and the dollar sized Chinese coins. Where the spectators handle the coins, I stick to halves and smaller.
Is THAT a PALMS OF STEEL 5 Banner I see? YARRRRGH! Please visit The Magic Bakery
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Bob Kohler Special user 704 Posts |
Actually, there is one difficult to locate copper coin that's silver dollar size. It's called a Sudbury Penny, as they were minted in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. It is a fantastic replica of an American Penny. If you can find one expect to pay approx. $30. Great for Spellbound and C/S routines.
If you need to clean your coins, use a couple drops of water and any toothpaste. Rub like crazy and everything will come off of the coin. |
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The Londoner New user 11 Posts |
Practice with coins in all shapes sizes and colours so you will be prepared for any coins that come into your hands, thus maintaining your reputation as a magician/entertainer and coin worker.
To me the whole point of coin magic is that it's done with borrowed or at least ordinary coins. I live in England and the coins we have here are not suitable for palming, or anything to do with coin sleights for that matter, but I put up with it anyway. |
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Seth Special user 566 Posts |
Wow, thanks for the great advice guys, especially you Curtis. BTW, what do you mean by turning your hands green?
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Joedy New user 79 Posts |
I like to use the new golden dollar coin since it is a common coin and I am getting away from most gaffed coins which eliminates a lot of the scotch/soda type of options. The Kennedy 50 cent piece (although somewhat common) is not into circulation much nowadays. Most people will tend to save them when they receive them in change.
I second JD's mention of using Franklin Halves. Show them to anyone younger than 25-30 and chances are that they will have never seen one before. With the golden dollar, at least it's somewhat more into the current collective focus among Americans and doesn't lend itself to suspicions easily. If you elect to use golden dollar, gaffs for them can be obtained. |
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Daniel Faith Inner circle Neenah, Wisconsin 1526 Posts |
I carry 2 coin purses.
One with 5 Walking Liberty Half Dollars, An English Penny and a Chinese Coin. (I prefer using real silver coins, they sound and look so much better!) The other carries a Hopping Halves set.
Daniel Faith
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johne Special user 960 Posts |
Hey Joedy,
The American Gold Dollar is pronounced...here it goes...SACK-UH-JA-WEE-UH. At least that's how I do it. Curtis, Loved your bit of advice too. I'm sure the information regarding how the value is directly proportional to the odds of dropping it in the sewer relate to everyone!!! John Eddington |
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Alex W. Loyal user 211 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-12-03 09:43, johne wrote: I think it's SACK-UH-GA-WAY-A... Oh well. I agree that the Sacagawea dollar is a great coin to use. I find it very easy to palm despite the smooth edges. BTW, the Canadian 50-cent coin is silver and the same size as the Sacagawea dollar. Perfect for Copper/Silver routines! The Canadian 50-cent coin is only a limited edition, though, so get a few while you can! |
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Spydur Special user PDX, now San Diego...back to PDX 966 Posts |
Curtis raises a good point. I am 6'5" and have rather large hands. When I play around with a quarter or half dollar they "appear" to be much smaller. That is why I use only silver dollar size coins.
Also, I do not think that it is important to be able to do every coin routine that you know with every type of coin. It IS important to know one or two or five (you get the point) routines that you CAN do with smaller coins. I do a few mentalism routines with smaller coins or maybe a spellbound routine where I turn their (small) coin into a silver dollar and then go from there doing some magic with my coin and ending by changing it back into their small coin. Thank you. Corey B. |
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