Metamorphosis Coin Trick

"Your audience will long remember this coin trick."

The Coin of Metamorphosis

Numerous methods have been devised for a coin trick where one coin apparently changes to another. Here is one which just about tops them all for sheer effectiveness. It is credited by J.B. Bobo to DR. E.M. Roberts. Although it requires only about a minute to perform, it packs such a terrific wallop it will be remembered long after other tricks are forgotten.

Effect:

A borrowed penny instantly and visibly changes to a half dollar while held in the performer's right hand. Then the coin is tossed into the left hand, and after a couple of mysterious passes are made over it, changes back to a penny. The penny is returned to its owner and the performer shows his hands positively empty.

Method:

Begin with a half dollar hidden in your right hand as it hangs by the side. Ask for the loan of a penny and while it is forthcoming get the half dollar into the Downs palm position. Receive the penny with the left hand, then take it with the right between the first two fingers and thumb, Fig. 1.
Swing the right hand upward to the right and exhibit the penny as in Fig. 2, the half dollar being hidden behind the thumb. The existence of another coin is not suspected since the right hand appears empty.
Bring the forefinger down in front of the penny then back to its original position, which action clips the coin between the first two fingers as in Fig. 3.
The moves which follow happen in quick succession. The right hand is brought up to the mouth and the coin is blown upon, then returned to its original position to show the penny has changed to a half dollar. As the right hand comes up to the mouth and back again the penny is exchanged for the half as follows:
- With the aid of the right thumb move the penny down and deposit it on the tip of the third finger, Fig. 4.
- Then bend the fingers inward, pressing the penny into classic palm position with the tip of the third finger as the first two fingers clip the half dollar from the Downs palm, Fig. 5.
- Straighten the fingers, withdrawing the half from behind the thumb, Fig. 6, and exhibit the half clipped between the first and second finger tips, Fig. 7.
- The hand is held with the palm turned partly downward, in which position the penny cannot be seen.
Figures 4 through 7 depict the moves which are performed with the two coins in the moment it takes to raise the hand, blow on the coin, and return the hand to its original position. The action of removing the half dollar from the Downs palm and pressing the penny into the palm is performed as the hand is brought up and returned to its former position.
Figures 4 and 5 show the moves that must be executed as the hand is brought up to the mouth, while Figures 6 and 7 show the moves that are performed as the hand swings back to its original place. When the hand has returned to its original position it should be holding the half dollar between the tips
of the first two fingers as in Fig. 7.
Then the first two fingers revolve the half dollar round and round a few times, indicating without comment that the hand is otherwise empty. Actually, the right hand should be held about waist height as the half dollar is shown. The penny cannot be seen. With care you will be able to turn your right palm partially toward the audience and keep the penny hidden. The thumb bends down, holding the half dollar, and partly covers the penny in the palm. Watch your angles. Try this before a mirror and you will quickly realize the position the right hand must assume. Of course, the safe position is as in Fig. 7 but when you are performing this at close range for only two or three people more of the palm can be shown with safety.

Revolve the half dollar between the fingers and thumb as described above, then apparently toss it into your left hand but throw the penny instead. This is executed as follows:

Turn the body to the left and thumb palm the half dollar by bending in the first two fingers with the coin and straightening them.

As the right hand approaches the left it releases the penny from its palm (Fig. 8 shows the performer's view of the right hand as it approaches the left hand) and it falls into the left hand as it closes.

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The right hand continues in its swing inward, passing over the left hand and back to the upper left breast pocket where the half dollar is released and allowed to fall into the pocket
Quickly move the right hand outward again and brush it briskly over the left fist a couple of times. The moves of tossing the penny into the left hand instead of the half dollar, depositing the half dollar in the breast pocket and brushing the right hand briskly over the left fist must all be blended in one continuous movement, without hesitation, yet without haste.
Finally open the left hand to show the penny. As you return it to its owner let both hands be seen unmistakably empty.

What to say:

"The penny, as you know, is made from copper which is a soft metal, very susceptible to quick changes in temperature. For instance, if I should blow on it like this, it changes to a silver coin. However, if I should squeeze it like this, it quickly changes back to its original form and substance. But I'll let you in on a secret�actually nothing happened. It was just an illusion."

Hot Tip:

The trick is particularly startling if performed with the sleeves rolled up. And, of course, it can be done without a coat providing you stuff a small piece of facial tissue, Kleenex, in the shirt pocket beforehand to keep it open slightly. But with or without a coat it is a real puzzler, even to magicians.

*Metamorphosis Coin Trick is selected, adpated, and modernized from Modern Coin Magic.