Magic Trick: The Disappearing Coin

A borrowed coin, say, a quarter or a half-dollar is placed in the palm of the left hand, the fingers wide apart. The right hand is then placed over the left, the coin being between the hands, which are held perfectly motionless. The hands are then slowly opened, and shown to be empty; the coin has gone. Later it is produced from some man's beard or found elsewhere.

What became of the coin? To one side of a metal disc, about the size of a cent, is soldered a piece of hard wire, one end of which is bent upward and ends in a very small knob. The other end is twisted into the shape of a little ring, and the whole is painted black. To this is attached a fine elastic cord. This goes up the right sleeve, and is fastened to a back button of the trousers on the left side. On the other side of the disc is a piece of adhesive wax. The disc is held in the right hand by the knob, which passes between the first and second fingers. When the right hand is laid over the left, which holds the coin, the waxed side of the disc is pressed on it. The palms are opened a trifle, the fingers release the disc, and the coin flies up the right sleeve. The reproduced coin is, of course, a duplicate.