I've only had experience with Scotch/Soda and "Miser's Miracle". I HATE M.M. but Scotch/Soda has always gotten great reactions.

What simple effect will knock 'em out?

DaveM,

Michael Maxwell has a video for your scotch & soda called something like, "25 tricks with a scotch and soda."

An expanded shell complimented with a copper/silver coin is what seems to be favored among coin handlers. However, if you want killer effects with these, basic coin techniques is an absolute requirement. There are excellent books and videos to get you started. In my opinion, these are the best coin sites:

http://www.coinvanish.com/
http://www.zyworld.com/coinpurse

Regards,
Tony

Buy a half-dollar shell and get some halves.
There are so many tricks you can do, but there is some sleight of hand required.

Copper/Silver/Brass or Two Copper/One Silver respectively: Very strong double transposition effects.

Get a Copper/Silver coin and try Presto Chango, published in Bobo's Modern Coin Magic. You can easily follow this effect with a copper/silver transposition in the spectator's hand.

-Uli

DaveM
Why would you want to start out with (or go out of your way to find) "gimmicked" coin tricks?
There are scads of ungimmicked routines that are as good or better than anything gimmicked and they have the advantage of being able to be done anywhere, at anytime.
If you want to get into coins (gimmicked or not), get Bobo's Modern Coin Magic. It is a
"must have" book, not only for the coin worker but for any magician.
There are about three lifetimes of routines in that book, gimmicked and not.
But learn the basics first and then spread out into "killer" effects.
Otherwise, you have a house built on sand.

You might pick up Ammar's coin videos, which teach basic techniques and good effects with them.

As for gizmos, the Hopping Half set includes a number of the gimmicks that people have mentioned, and it allows you to do a pretty strong routine in which you keep removing coins from your hand but they jump back into the hand.

Jerry

I'm with Peter on this. Why use gimmicked coins, when there are plenty of effects that will blow people away using regular coins?

Jim

When I first started messing around with magic, I was trying to choose between coins and cards.

With coins there is usually always a "hot" hand.....terrifying. At least with cards most of the time you pull off a sleight and that's that. I'm fairly comfortable doing some vanishes and various palms. But then you guys are talking about Gallo Pitches and stuff like that.....WAY above my head.

If you are into videos, pick up Gregory Wilson's On the Spot. It has 3 awesome coin routines (IMO) and a few extra good ones. Takes some practice but not too hard.

Sure, a lot of coin routines require you to conceal coins, and there's a risk of getting caught. But there are lots of relatively simple tricks in which this issue never comes up.

One is in Bobo and is called Presto-Change-o. It requires one fairly easy-to-acquire sleight and one gimmick (which has many other uses).

Once you get comfortable with a few coin routines, you might want to move on in coin magic, but if not -- hey, you've got a few good routines.

Jerry

Hi David M.
I have a backfire one card assembly in my "Heavy Work Made Easy" notes. There is no palming and you start and end clean! Sometime back A 10 year kid killed with it at a magic meeting!

You do need a close-up pad. E-Mail me if you would like more info on it. Thanks.

Best David Neighbors
The Coinjurer

Cards can be a lot more comfortable but a deck of cards isn't a natural thing to have in your pocket. I've stopped carry cards on me to focus on coin and more impromptu looking magic.

I'd be interested to hear what you think are the 'killer' effects from Bobo, apart from the usual coins across. For me it's a major benefit if no table is required, or if a hard surface can be used. Kind of ruins the impromptu look if you have to pull out a close up matt! The 1-2-1 routine mentioned in another thread is one of the best effects in Bobo IMO.

Why, gimmick coins are alright, I would say, go with the coins accros trick, non-gimmick. But, if you must have a gimmick coin, go with the folding coin. It is a great coin, just carry it around EVERYWHERE.

Two Words - Hopping Half. Nuff Said.

Can we assume you want to add some variety to your card magic? A real nice segue would be to ring in Danny Archers coin card and produce four half dollars under four cards. You can then go into a matrix routine (all ungimmicked coins, and easy to learn). From there you can either go back to cards, or continue with some more coin magic.

Make that Short Hop. Available on Miracles while you wait by Mark Jenest

or wait a couple of months and Peter will share his no gimmick Hopping half with us all.

When I use the Scotch and Soda I like to load the extra Centavo under their watch. That way when the quarter appears it is a shock. I let that effect sink in, then later when the time is right I reveal the Centavo under their watch.

Corey B.

If you have not worked with coins much, stick to a couple "leave you clean" gaffs while you are getting ready with your sleights.

My recommendations being a little weak on some of the sleights myself. (Mild arthritis
is never discussed in forums)

1. Bobo's non sleight copper silver transpo.
Needs: C/S coin, regular English Penny and regular Kennedy half.
Skill level: none. Practice time: minimal.
Effect: Short, surprising.
Allows you to hand out coins when completed.

2. Hopping halfs.
Needs: expanded shell set from Johnson. (best)
Cheaper sets will work but you don't get the
two extra shell coins.
Skill level: Beginner for hopping half effect
intermediate to advanced to work the shells and sun and moon on their own.
Practice time: a few hours.
Effect: A killer effect.

These can neither be handed out before or after. If you hand out from number one above there will be no suspicion, following up with these.

3. CSB. Again buy a Johnson or better.
Cheaper CSB set will match with other cheap gaffs, so your coins will look similar. China change, and Centavo scotch and soda are good lead ins, but not necessary.
Effect: Again a Killer effect. Can be handed out before and after but not during.
Skill level: beginner
Practice time: several hours but less than a day.

Depending on skill and intelect, it is possible to do all of these twenty minutes after you get them. This would depend on the individual and ability to create your own patter. As always your poker face is important.

My favorite is U3F. But you need to take out a second mortage on your house to buy it.

Next favorite is "Short Hop" as described on Mark Jenest's video.

I am working on Roger Klause's "Whisper". It has a lot of promise.

Russ

I think that scotch and soda is better if you do it ungimmicked. It's on Johnny Ace Palmer's video or email me at freebug20002000@yahoo.com
bob