Alex Elmsley - The Bashful Ghost

FOLDING COINS THROUGH TABLE People tend to use things for their prescribed purpose, like a folding coin for "Coin in Bottle". Other than that effect, in fact, there are few recorded uses for the folding coin, possibly the most common of all gimmicked coins. Michael Skinner published a handling of the "SlowMotion Coin Vanish" in his one-man issue of RICHARD'S ALMANAC (Vol.2, Issue 16, December 1983) cleverly taking advantage of the fact that you can hide a coin which folds a lot easier than one that doesn't! David has taken a different tack, and has developed two routines which utilize the folding coin in a greatly overlooked way, first mentioned on p.676 of GREATER MAGIC (Ninth Impression, revised edition). It allows you to show more coins than you actually have at any given time. There is no advance preparation -you need three regular half dollars and a folding coin to match. (David always has two rubber bands running around his folding coin to give it a stiffer look and more snap.) You must be standing at a table (though you can sit, of course, if circumstances permit). Toss the coins on the table and arrange them in a horizontal row. Make sure that the folding coin is at the left end of the row. Turn all the coins head side up. Your palm-down right hand picks up the folding coin between thumb, first and second fingers by digging your fingers under it's outer end so the head side will stay pressed against your thumb. Lift the coin and turn your right hand palm up to display it for a moment (fig. 1).

Consistency of action throughout the trick is important, so follow along carefully. Turn your right hand palm down and place the coin between your left thumb and second finger (fig. 2).

Note that it's gripped in a horizontal position, with the cuts running toward and away from you (not side to side!). The upper surface of the coin should be tilted toward the audience. Your right hand turns palm down and picks up the second coin exactly the same way as the first. Turn your hand palm up to display it resting on your first and second fingers for a moment. Turn the hand palm down and move it to your left hand. Your right thumbtip contacts the right panel of the folding coin (fig.3)

and flips it over and onto the lower coin as you press the upper coin into position (figs. 4 and 5, which show two progressive steps).

Call this "Cocking The Shell." Note that once the panel has been folded over sufficiently so that downward pressure on the upper coin will push it into position, your right thumb has moved beneath the folding coin and presses upward for additional leverage. The folded portion of the lower coin is still concealed from the audience behind the upper coin. It takes some strength for your second finger and thumb to hold everything securely in position (some practice will help, but using only one rubber band on the folding coin will make it considerably easier). There will be a discrepant air space between the coins since the folded panel lies between them - it is unimportant and will go unnoticed by laymen. Your right hand moves away, turns palm down, and picks up the third coin. Display it on your first and second fingers like the others, then turn the hand palm down. Place this coin onto the two already in your left hand, spread slightly to the right (fig.6).

The preceding illustration is there to remind you that your first and second fingers completely cover the coin as it's placed into your left hand. You'll see why this is vital with the next coin.

Your right hand picks up the fourth coin, turns palm up and displays it on your first and second fingers, then turns palm down, your thumb moving beneath it. If you raise your first and second fingers a tiny bit you'll see that the coin is actually balanced on your thumb. Your thumb moves the coin to low finger palm, under your third and pinky fingers (fig.7).

Immediately curl your pinky just enough to hold the coin in place, then move your thumb back beneath your first and second fingers as if the coin was still there. All of this occurs while your right hand moves to your left hand to ostensibly place the fourth coin in position. Your right first and second fingers move over the coins in your left hand as if placing the fourth coin there (your thumb moves under the coins for support). Actually, your right first and second fingers pull the two uppermost coins to the right, exposing a little piece of the folded-over panel of the gimmicked coin. Give everything a squeeze to make sure the coins are all flatly against one another and positioned properly, then move your right hand away (fig.8).

It really looks like there are four coins in your left hand! (Call this "The Fake Placement.") Explain that the coins will penetrate through the table one at a time, then move your right hand beneath the table. To vanish the first coin from your left hand, simply drop the coins to the table (fig.9).

When the finger pressure is removed, the folded panel will snap back into position and kick the upper coins away. You get a visible vanish.. A moment later your right hand comes up from beneath the table with the first coin. Drop it on the table off to the right. You will repeat

exactly the same sequence to make the second coin go through the table. First, put the coins into proper position in your left hand one at a time, starting with the folding coin. Cock the folding coin as you put the second coin into position, folding the panel into place. Now, do "The Fake Placement" as you apparently put the third coin into position. In other words, the third coin is low finger palmed, and then the upper coin is. pulled to the right by your right fingers. When you move your right hand away it appears as if there are three coins in your left hand. Your right hand picks up the first coin that penetrated, which is off to the right, between thumb and fingers and goes under the table. Transfer the finger-palmed coin to classic palm once the hand is under the table. A second after your right hand drops its coins to the table, so the second coin visibly vanishes and two actually hit the table, your right hand lets the palmed coin drop onto the one inside the curled fingers with a clink Your right hand brings out the two coins and tables them to the right. Pick up the folding coin with your right hand and hold it in an open finger palm. You're going to do Harvey Rosenthal's "Click Pass." Raise your right third finger so it's above the inner portion of the coin. As your right hand turns palm toward you, apparently dumping the coin into your left hand, your third finger straightens so the coin is clipped between your second and third fingers. Timed properly, the audience should be able to see the coin flipping over just before your hand turns enough to move it out of sight. Pick up the remaining coin on the left with your right hand and hold it against the side of your first finger with your thumb (your hand is still held palm toward you). Let this coin fall so that it hits the clipped coin with a good clink and then falls into your left hand (fig.10).

Your left hand closes into a fist and your right hand moves away. Pick up the two coins on the right with your right hand and move it under the table. Bang your left fist against the table and then let the coins in your right hand clink. Open your left hand to reveal a single coin, then close it again. The coin inside the hand must be held very loosely so it can, when necessary, slide out the pinky side of the fist. Bring your right hand out from beneath the table and turn it palm up to reveal three coins (fig.11).

The lowermost coin is in an open classic palm, with the coins above it overlapping and spread forward. Turn your right hand palm down, catching the two loose coins inside the fingers. Move your right hand forward and toss the two coins toward your left hand. Simultaneously let the coin slide out of the pinky side of your left fist to the table where it coalesces with the two coins from your right hand. As the coin slides out your left hand moves to the left (fig.12).

It appears as all three coins fall from your right hand. (Further details on this form of Han Ping Chien, which David developed independently, as has Geoffrey Latta, from handlings of Johnny Benzais, Roger Klause and Derek Dingle, can be found In COINMAGIC.) Your right hand picks up the three tabled coins and goes under the table. Bang your left fist on the table and let the coins in your right hand clink. Open your left fist to show it empty, then bring your right hand out from beneath the table to show all four coins. When gripping the coins after cocking the folding coin, the first finger can assist the second finger in holding the coins together. One last thing. If you're sitting when you perform this, you can easily switch out the folding coin toward the end of the routine by having an extra regular coin in your lap. The details should pose no problem.