Effect: Two coins are shown, one copper and one silver. The copper is given to a spectator to hold while the performer wraps the silver coin in a borrowed handkerchief. A spectator then holds the silver coin through the cloth in one hand and the bunched together corners in his other hand, the handkerchief being stretched out horizontally between them. Taking the copper coin, the performer causes it to vanish. The exact instant the coin vanishes it is heard to strike the silver coin as it arrives in the handkerchief.

Method: To perform this startling feat you will require two English pennies (or two other copper coins of the same size) and one half dollar. One of the copper coins must be in your left coat pocket. Suppose you have just performed the effect of removing either of two coins from a borrowed handkerchief. Hand the handkerchief to a spectator to remove the remaining coin. Apparently this is done so he may see for himself that there is only one coin remaining in the handkerchief.

Actually it is done so you may steal the copper coin from your coat pocket with your left hand. Since all attention will be on the spectator's actions as he removes the coin, casually place your left hand in your pocket, finger palm the copper coin, then remove the hand.

Have someone hold the copper coin used in the previous trick while you take the silver coin and hold it vertically between the tips of the forefinger and thumb of your left hand. Keep the second, third and fourth fingers curled inward, covering the finger palmed copper coin. Spread the handkerchief with your right hand and throw it over your left hand so its center covers the half dollar.

Now you need someone to hold the coin through the handkerchief. If possible, choose a lady because her reaction adds considerably to the over-all effect. As you offer her the coin and handkerchief to hold, transfer them to your right hand as follows: With the right forefinger and thumb grip the right edge of the silver coin through the cloth, Fig. 1,

then curl the second, third and fourth fingers around the handkerchief just below the coin. Release your hold on the silver coin with your left hand and press the copper coin into the right finger palm (a fold of cloth will be between the coin and the right curled fingers, Fig. 2,

then remove the left hand from underneath the handkerchief. Have her take the silver coin through the fabric by its edge between her thumb (on top) and forefinger. Caution her to hold it tightly, then release your grip from the copper coin, but keep your fingers curled around the handkerchief and slide your hand to the right. Do not lower your right hand as you do this but keep it on the same level as her right hand. The moment the right hand moves away from the copper coin, grip the handkerchief with the left hand at the exact spot just vacated by the right. Say, "Will you also hold this end with your left hand?" Since you are holding the bunched together corners with your right hand and gripping the portion just below the silver coin with your left, she can only take the handkerchief at the spot between your two hands, Fig. 3.

Before taking your hands away say, "Hold the handkerchief and coin tightly. Don't let go with either hand until I tell you. When I say 'Go!' release the coin with your right hand." Then as a safety measure repeat your instructions something like this: "Don't forget, hold both ends tightly. When I say 'Go!' let go with this hand." (Touch her right hand.) "But hold tightly with this hand." (Touch her left hand.) Most people are willing and anxious to cooperate, but if your instructions are not thoroughly understood, assistants from the audience can certainly ruin a trick. In this case if she should let go of the wrong end the copper coin would fall to the floor and spoil your trick. So be sure there is no misunderstanding of your instructions. The lady should be holding the handkerchief between her two hands as shown in Fig. 4.

With your right hand, take the copper coin from the spectator who has been holding it for you and say, "Here is the copper coin." Then to the lady, "You are holding the silver coin inside the handkerchief. Do you feel it?" She will reply that she does. Then say, "Watch the copper coin!" Pretend to place it in your left hand but retain it palmed in your right. Go through the motions of tossing the coin toward the handkerchief with your left hand as you exclaim, "Go!" The moment she releases her grip on the silver coin with her right hand the weight of the coin will cause that end of the handkerchief to drop and the copper coin to clink down on top of it, creating a very startling effect, Fig. 5.

Take advantage of this surprise by disposing of the palmed coin in the right pocket.

I cannot recommend this and the preceding trick too highly.

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