While going through some old props, I came across a Kennedy Half Dollar unexpanded shell and a brass washer that's fits inside. For the life of me I cannot remember this trick, it has to be from the mid 70's, probably from Sterling.

Does anyone know what this effect is?

Brian

Sounds like it could possibly be a version of a 'ChinaTown Half' (see this link to give you an idea of this particular coin).

http://www.tangomagic.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1

Was there any paper, or evidence of old glue, stuck inside the shell?

Did the inside of the shell have flesh colored paint in it around the middle? If it did it may be a China change set! It was you show it as a half. Close the hand turning it over. Open the hand showing it has changed to a chinese coin. And that is all that is in the hand. The flesh colored paint covering the middle of the coin. So it has changed from a half to a chinese coin in one hand! Then you can palm off the shell and hand out the chinese coin!

Good call David - that was the actual effect that I was thinking of.

Eddie Gibson sold a version many moons back - I think that he called it 'Oriental Silver'.

I think it is a Dusheck trick

Thanks guys but I think I found it. It is part of an old trick marketed as touche' . It is like the effect David said and a transpo of half and chinese coin except at the end you are left with two coins a english penny and a brass washer.

Man, I have to start labeling gaffs, you know what they say, the mind is the second thing to go.

And what's the first???

As long as the magic doesn't go!

I think they call that the magic.

I can't remember the first.

Tell you what I'll give you my book on how to remember stuff! As soon as I find it!