Should I practice with real silver dollars or with the steel fake ones? As in, Morgan silver dollars, or the knock-offs you can buy for less all over the place? I have easy access to real Morgan silver dollars for good prices in any grade from culls to uncirculated coins (I have many pals who are coin dealers locally) BUT they do cost way more than the steel ones. Anyone care to share what, if any, the differences are, other than price? Silver is great and all that, but a set of steel Morgans is as little as $18 for 10 coins (or $1.80 per coin), so the price difference is Very Substantial... Thoughts?

You would be saving wear on your real Morgans, but the knock offs could be heavier and more difficult, ( or easy ), to manipulate, and you won't get that lovely ping sound that you get from actual silver.

I never understood why people used the fake ones, aside from absolute beginners or hobbyists. If you're serious about magic, I think your props should be authentic. Not to mention that wonderful sound that silver gets you as the post above me mentions.

Money is a real factor, Zeph. Real silver dollars can be expensive. And there are some excellent replicas that no lay person would ever be able to tell the difference - considering virtually no one but coin magicians and possibly collectors have seen, let alone handled real silver dollars.

Persoanlly I only own a half dozen real Morgan dollars! (Though I do own about a hundred silver half dollars, which is the coin size I use most often).

Jim

Get a few fakes for $1.80 ea and work with them.
If you're fine with them then end of story as your specs will never know.
If you decide you would be happier with genuine silver coins (even just for personal or psychological reasons) then get silver coins when you can afford them or are able to justify the expense.

I was in a similar situation. For years I used Ike's but always longed for silver Morgan's. I just couldn't justify the expense of replacing all my Ike coins and gaffs when it wouldn't change the effects in the eyes of audiences. But one day I had an exceptionally good couple months so decided oh heck with it, I'm just going to treat myself, and so I did. I've never regretted it for a moment. But I also never regretted starting with the Ike's in order to make sure I was happy with the routines and that they would be workers for me. So it's okay to start low and work your way up. In fact, it's a smart way to do things.

I guess it's a little like buying a Mercedes when a Ford will get you where you need to go. In fact it's probably worse than that with coins because at least a nice car may be considered a status symbol. Very few people will be envious of your beautiful silver coins.
But I sure feel better about them and I have come to truly believe that comes thru in my performances.

Yes, more good feedback from all (thank you all!), I think I will pick up the cheapies just to see what they look like and then compare them to the real thing in person. Then I will contemplate whether or not my wife will give me the Dirt Nap if I spend more on some real ones...
Wish me luck :o)