What kind of expanded quarter shell is the best? I am looking for one that completely covers the edge of the coin, and I want the texture to acually feel like a quarter. Any recommendations? And I don't want one in the $100 range.

The thing with expanded coins is that you're not going to get one that COMPLETELY covers the edge of the coin---not even with one of the most expensive ones (but they can come VERY close).

I don't own one, so I'm limited on my knowledge, but from what I hear, Johnson shells are of decent quality for someone not wanting to spend too much on them...but I've also heard negative things as well. Honestly however, unless you go with Lasson or Schoolcraft, you're GOING to hear negative things from SOMEONE about them...but I don't believe either of the two I just mentioned sells a quarter shell (the only thing I saw on Schoolcraft's site was a Quarter Dean's Set, and that wouldn't be expanded so it's not what you're looking for).

I didn't really think the Johnson one would cover the whole coin. I am mainly looking for a realistic looking shell.

Johnson is where its at.. A quarter shell from Lassen or Schoolcraft just would not be pratical... $$ wise...

Quarters are not going to be showpeice items anyway... More improptu(ish) situations... So I would not worry about having a perfecgt shell...

Johnson will do the job better then any other out there for about 30 bucks...

all the best...

Shawn

Well, people I perform for are very caucious about trick coins, and would notice if it looks weird. Does the surface on the Johnson shells feel and look like a normal quarter?

Absolutely... But at the same time I would not have your specs feel the shell...

That is dangerous territory...

I would not worry as much about the gaff.. I would worry more about how you handled it... If you are too cautious you will telegraph something... I say
just flow with it and it will work out just fine...

Shawn...

I have a Tango half dollar shell that I lost (it was not good at all), and can use it pretty good, so using the quarter shell wouldn't be too hard. Thanks for your help, I'll definantly get it! Should I get the head side of a state quarter, or tails side of a non-state quarter?

I'd get the head side personally.

I'd like to emphasize what ShawnB said. You should have your routine, whatever it may be, down so smooth that the thought "he's using a gimmicked" coin scarcely comes to mind. I also would recommend learning a few ditch/exchange moves so you can trade out the shell for the real thing.

Another piece of advise would be to try to borrow the quarters you use, switch one of the borrowed coins out for the shell and proceed...that way, you've just let the spectator know there's not a gimmick by borrowing the coins.

(And for the record, I hear more complaints than praise for Tango coins in general)

I use Jay Sankey's Cartesian Switch from his DVD Revolutionary Coin Magic. I would also get the head side. With the Johnson shell, is the head side a state quarter, or a non-state quarter?

I'll second Johnson.
I never had a problem but then again I never let anyone closely look at them.
When the coins are in a group there's no real focus on any single coin.

State coins are obviously have a different looking head side than the eagles. Depending on if the trick involves a borrowed coin, you may have to be selective as to which spectator's coin you borrow. In other words, have a couple of spectators bring out coins and use one (older Q) that has the 'right vibes'.

Otherwise have a few eagles with you.

I'm not sure if Johnson is producing the head side of state coins and would be interested to know if they are.

It is both, but I want to know if the head side is like the state quarter.

Alright, I just ordered a Johnson Shell.

Johnson is the only way to go if you're looking for the next step down from a Schoolcraft or Lassen gaff. I have a Johnson ES quarter and it works great. Quarters are so small the lack of complete coverage is a non-issue, at least for me, but Johnson does a great job regardless.

I have tried to make a Coin Shell many times and no machine shops would take on the task. So, that said...Schoolcraft Coins are of the finest quality. If perfection is what you want then there you go. But if money is the driving factor then just about any shell for quarters on the market are alright. I would say Johnson is the best coin for the money and gives about 80 percent coverage. Hope that helps?

Really? Who are you performing for, other magicians? Most people I come across are barely even aware of gimmicked coins. I use very few gimmicks in my coin routines and most involve people handling the coins or even signing them, so when I do use a gimmick, nobody thinks twice about not inspecting it as they are used to the fact that everything else I've done has been with a bona fide currency coin.

The only people who I can perform for are basically hecklers. A lot of people know about gimmicked coins now, because of the movie Click. The Johnson shell if great though, and I won't have a problem with that.

People don;t know about gimmicked coins at all in my experience.

Well, where I performed, they did. I don't perform there anymore. The place I am talking about is school. I don't perform there anymore, because I just graduated. And pretty much everyone at my school saw that movie. Sometimes when I do coins tricks they ask if the coin is rigged.

Easy, let them hold the coins first, or do some coin magic with borrowed coins before you use your own

I know, but I mean if they see like cut lines on a coin, they would say "You switched them".