Hi all. I'd like to buy a Hopping Halves set in UK coins. I've seen Alakazam now offer a £2/2p version like Mark Mason (jbtv).

Alakazam is slightly more expensive (£65 vs £55), but I would be interested to know if anyone has a strong recommendation of one above the other?

Many thanks for your help.

Jon

I am a huge Mark Mason fan but Alakazam has a pretty good reputation as far as I have seen. ( I have never seen a thread complaining about anything they make or their service ). It is really up to you. I do know for a fact that any coin gaff you buy from Mark will be top shelf though.

Another vote for Johnson here. I have had a csb set for about 20+ years now and it is still a great set of coins! I recently bought a Johnson HH set and it is in excellent condition. The ['s fit perfect. I cant wait to get time to play with it! Johnson (for me) is no doubt the best bang for the buck..

Thanks both for your input. I bought a Coin Unique from Mark and loved it, but have also bought a few things from Alakazam in my time. Unfortunately with the exchange rate at the moment Johnson will be too expensive - alas!

I am also a huge fan of Mark Mason. I got Coin Unique too, waiting in the mail.

Coin Unique is fantastic. I have the 1 pound / 1 pence version, so I'll need to introduce it differently once the pound coin changes in the UK next year! I'm hoping they don't change any more currency - doesn't help our coin magic!

Re. hopping halves, I've asked Mark if he has any in stock, so fingers crossed...

Mine is Johnson. Affordable price and good quality.

I still remember how happy is when my first time received it. It was 25yrs ago.

I too owned a Sun and Moon American half-dollar and English penny set, by Tango.
They rattled about like an old pair of false teeth.
Maybe I just got unlucky. Or perhaps expect too much.

I eventually got disheartened with them, and sold them on.
The spectator never noticed, but I always cringed every time I used them.
No, the coins not the old false teeth!

However, I do miss that routine.

Consequently, I have bought another set of coins, sold by Merlins Magic, of Wakefield, England.
Machined by a local engineer with 30 years experience.

A set of Tango coins will cost about £65-£70 in the UK.
Merlins sell this routine for £40 - which includes a matching ungimmicked penny and half-dollar.

Looking forward to reviewing this item when I receive it.

I have a Mason Walking Liberty set. The shells are not expanded, so the coins are shaved as a result. It handles great! Also have a Johnson Kennedy set that works great, as well!!

Can’t go wrong with either!!

Shouksmiths ...
on your recommendation, I bought the half-dollar and English penny from Merlins Magic of Wakefield.
I understand they are made by a local jeweller with 30 years experience of working with coins.

Wow - quality is excellent.
I ordered mine 3:30pm - and received the coins the very next day.

I took the option to purchase a matching ungimmicked set of coins too, to use with the Quiver purse.

Cannot recommend this supplier and the quality of goods highly enough!!
Fantastic customer service, quality - and VERY competitive price.
Saved me £££'s

What are the resources for other hopping half routines? The effect is nice, but it seems a bit repetitive and can make the person watching feel a bit dumb

Hi wilso,

Take a look here form some ideas of hopping half routines: https://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view......orum=202

Regards, Steve

Lots of effects are just about equally repetitive. I’d say the main thing is to avoid making your spectator feel dumb, and that’s easy.

Instead of challenging them each time to say what coin remains (and always being wrong), make it about how you yourself once saw a magician doing this effect, and YOU (the magician) were always wrong. It baffled you, but lo and behold, it still happens, every time you demo it. You still can’t figure out why it happens, but it does.

This takes the spectator out of the equation of being a victim; instead, you present yourself as the baffled dunce (and let the spec be baffled silently and harmlessly).

Or make up some sort of 3rd person story to narrate, and let the coins represent two deeply bonded characters in that story who just can’t stay apart, no matter what. Or the like.