Posts Tagged coins
Stuff Magicians Like No. 16 – Pockets. Lots of them.
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Stuff Magicians Like on 08/30/2011
What do magicians love more than their cards, coins and other performing materials? One word: Pockets! Especially for close-up workers. I doubt anyone knows their pockets inside and out more thoroughly than a magician. After all, we do have to have a place for all of our magic stuff when we go out, right? (See Stuff Magicians Like No. 4.)
Truthfully, pocket management is as much of an art as magic itself. There is something beautiful in being able to have pockets loaded with props without looking like it. Add to that having places to ditch items without fear of them clanking into other props, letting your audience know what you just did, is just amazing. It takes careful planning, routining and a certain finesse to make everything seem above reproach. Of course, on the other hand, you have clumsy magicians constantly rummaging through their overstuffed pockets looking for their hot rod.
I bet we all have a favorite pocket or two as well. On the top of the list would probably be the Topit. I know that I really enjoy the coin pockets in my suit jacket. My runner up is my left breast pocket, where I like to ditch my jumbo coin.
I can also think of a few tricks that depend on pockets. Um…card to pocket? Coin through pocket? Two in the hand, one in the…POCKET? Oh and what about the awesome color changing pocket trick? Okay, I made that last one up. But actually if you think about it, the pockets would theoretically change color in a quick change act where the clothes change too, right? So where would all these tricks be without pockets? They’d probably end up in that weird “Beyond” section of Bed, Bath & Beyond.
So there you have it. Pockets are just as important to the art of magic as magic. Savvy?
(The idea for post came from William Draven over at The Magic Session Lounge.)
Stuff Magicians Like No. 13 – Being Careful of Which Coins to Spend
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 06/17/2011
Have you ever emptied your pockets at the end of the day only to find you accidentally spent your “cigarette thru quarter” quarter? Sucks doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it is still a problem that we magicians have to be mindful of what coins we spend. It has gotten easier over the years, especially since half dollars are no longer really in use. We know right away that if it’s a half, DON’T SPEND IT! I guess that once coins become completely obsolete that the problem will correct its self. Of course we will still be using our out-of-date halves and silver dollars. See Stuff Magicians Like No. 2.
In the mean time, here are a few steps you can take to help insure that your “unspendable” coins are safe.
1. Take a look at the coins: many times you can tell one of your “unspendable” coins just by looking at them. Telltale signs of cuts or ridges will let you know right off that it’s not to be spent.
2. Feel the coin: if you can’t see one of the “tells” immediately, run your fingers over the coin and you might be able to tell by touch alone.
3. Drop the coin: if worse-comes-to-worse, you can always tell which coins not to spend by sound. Just drop it on a counter top and if you get a nice normal-sounding ring, you’re good to go!
I hope this helps. Oh, and isn’t it great that I got through this entire post without saying “trick coin?”
Stuff Magicians Like No. 2 – Out-of-Date Coins
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 01/11/2011
When it comes to coins, we really like large out-of-date coins. It makes sense; after all, larger coins are easier to see than smaller coins. I personally use half dollars when I perform with coins. But let’s face it, only young children and magicians carry half dollars around with them anymore.
I always find it humorous when a magician breaks out his Morgan Dollars for a coins across routine. I half-expect him to say something like, “I just got back from 1921 with these awesome coins, except I think my time machine messed with their properties… let me show you what I mean.”
At any rate, I love coin magic just as much as the next conjuror and I will not stop using my out-of-date halves. Period.
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