Hey there, I just decided to give up on looking for half dollars. Since the government quit making them, they are so hard to find now.
I used to go to the bank to get my coins. They said they dont carry them anymore. I went to about 5 other banks and stores, they dont have half dollars either. So, the place I decided to check, My local magic shop of course.
And thats where I found some of Hank Lee's half dollar size palming coins. I love them! They are lighter, perfect grip on the edges and they are identical. I was wondering if anyone else in the cafe uses palming coins?
What are your thoughts on palming coins?

I have used Harry Anderson's palming coins. They are GREAT! They are lightweight and easy to grip, being slightly thinner than a normal coin. I was able to muscle pass those things to the moon! I don't use them in front of other people though. Just practicing by myself. If I ever did a stage manipulation act, I would certainly use them.

Chad

I think that one of the beautiful things about coin magic, is that coins are real, not props, and can even be borrowed. Even half dollars or foreign coins are accepted because people understand them, and appreciate the history and design of older coins, the facination of foreign coins, etc. With palming coins (and we're talking about close up magic here, not stage manipulation), you lose this edge and the coin becomes nothing more than a magic prop (which in the audience's mind can even be a "trick coin"). That's been my experience based on an incident that occurred yrs ago - I used a Louis Tannen palming coin for a routine about a magician, and all I got was that it wasn't real. That changed when I used a half dollar instead.

The best place to find half dollars is in a casino. The 50 cent slots use them.

I agree with the DR Rubinstein.Palming coins feel nice in the hands but they are not practical. If you use palming coins in real life you might get people saying they are trick coins. If you use halves, quarters, dollars, or forgein coins people can relate to them and belive that they are just regular old coins.
I love using my Walking Liberty Halves or 64 Kennedy Halves.
They get people interested because they either have never seen them before or haven't seen them in a long time.

I understand what you mean. But its just that the banks here in the portland area have like 1 coin per 10 locations. Its insane! I also have a problem with the casino's... Im only 18. I have to be 21 to even tie my shoes inside an oregon casino.
Thanks for the tip though. Are there any websites that sell half dollars? I saw somewhere online a few months ago, some site, cant remember the name of it, but you could get some 1964 silver kennedy's for about 4 or 5 dollars each. I think thats what it said. If anyone knows what I am talking about. Please help me!
Brian

I got all my walking liberty halves from Ebay. Theres a few sellers that are selling them by the thousands for around 3-4 dollars.
My 64 Kennedy halves were 3.50 ea. from a local coin shop.
I suggest going to a coin shop first so you can get the feel of the coins (walking liberties, English pennies, etc...) and also look for matching dates if you dont plan on buying 64 Kennedy halves.
hope this helps

Coolmoney, I have had similar problems here. My banks don't carry them, we don't have casino's. I have had luck finding mine in my local coin dealer shops. Sometimes they have old coins sitting in boxes you can search through. I was hesitant at first because I feared prices for coins through dealers would be outrageous, but I pick mine up for face value. It may be worth a check

Being in Canada, there are no one- or two-dollar bills anymore; they have been replaced by coins.
The "loonie" is the dollar coin, so called because it has a picture of a loon on the reverse.
When the two-dollar coin replaced the two-dollar bill, it was a sort of logical step that it would by familiarly known as the "toonie" or "twonie".
The toonie is just a hair smaller than the U.S. half dollar, and has a partially milled edge.
They are ideal for palming.
And, being made in two parts (an inner disc of brass and an outer ring of silver-colored metal) they are great conversation pieces (outside Canada, anyway!).
If there's someone you know going to Canada, ask them to pick up a roll of toonies.
There is also the advantage that the Canadian dollar is only worth about two-thirds of what an American dollar is.
cheers,
Peter Marucci
showtimecol@aol.com

Sup Coolmoney,

I use palminng coins for almost all of the work that I do for the "paid" public. The reason is this: I do not want to have some guy or gal or kid keeping one of my $9 silvers. You can not accuse them of stealing because they are the guest. So palming coins are the way that I go for paid gigs. If I am entertaining for everyday run of the mill crowd I will use my silvers. I purchased these from Columbia coins they are located at 6th & Washington. If you say that you are a magician and perform a trick they will usually give you a deal. Stop by the shop sometime, it was great to meet you. I have a few new products out that I would love to demo for you.

Corey B.

Hey Coolmoney,
My first Palming Coins were Hank Lee,they worked great until my young son starting losing them one by one.lol.
I then purchased a couple Harry Anderson Palming Coins. I really like them better.
I do use half dollars in some of my routines, but I am not afraid to do some awesome tricks with any of my Palming Coins. I have never had anyone say it's a gimmicked coin. You can always let them touch them afterwards.
I even use one of them in a great routine listed in this section called: Super Fantastic Coin Transposition. If you like I could send it to you, if I haven't already.
I guess my feelings is...it doesn't matter what you use...what matters is what impression you leave on the spectator afterwards...WOW, This guy is MAGIC !

Johnny Magic !

This link might prove useful if you can't find anywhere else.
[expired link]
Probably not the best prices you could find but pretty good nevertheless.

Brian,

Have you checked out your local coin dealers? I've gotten my 1940's Walking Liberty half dollars for $2 each and they were in pretty good condition (for a circulated coin--same condition as a Johnson E-Shell). When I went to my bank I was able to get a few halves (between 1981 - 2000). Check out the other banks in your area. Hopefully they'll have some halves.

Regards,
Tony

the US are killing halfs? are they still doing dollars?
James

I believe the government stopped making half dollars in 1998. I am not completely sure. But thats the oldest half I can ever find.

What kind of dollars are you talking about? Gold dollars? With the native american girl on them? If so, yes. If you mean susan b anthony, no. I wish they would just stick with something!!

I don't know if they are still making the Kennedy halves but I have two in my possession, 2 year-2000 Kennedy half dollars.

I had read in the papers that the US mint is discontinuing the gold plated (wears out after handling them and turns into copper--just like the penny) dollar because a lot of machines don't accept this coin ('though our vending machine here at work, as well as the stamp machine at the post office takes 'em). Besides they're exactly the same size as the Susan B. Anthony coins which is only slightly larger than a quarter---geez no wonder nobody likes them.

Tony, do you have any hard info on the gold dollars being discontinued? I find this very hard to believe. The Susan B. Anthony is supposed to be discontinued, but I haven't heard anything about the gold. A quick search just turned up nothing as well.

--Kris

Kris,

The new gold plated dollar that replaced the Susan B. Anthony was cancelled about a month or 2 ago (Correction: I seem to remember now--I saw it on one of those news digest TV shows that time, not in the newspaper). Do you use this coin (and props)?

Regards,
Tony

I can't stand those gold dollars. When ever someone pays with them at work i always give them that look o_O and when i try to give it out as change people always give me that look o_O. I hope the mint does discontinue them and make a larger coin again. Anywho i think 2000 was the last yr that they made kennedy halves but im not 100% sure.

Ah man! An elderly woman came into taco bell tonight. She used a nice and shiny half dollar to help pay for some of her meal... I did not have any money in my wallet at the time to exchange for it. I had to let it go... My world was ever saddened... But luckily I had my palming coin to mess with. I want my half dollars!!!