"Make the coin vanish right before their eyes."

This coin vanish is by far one of the most decptive and useful. After you have mastered it, you will even fool yourself with it. Take the time to learn this professional-level magician's coin sleight.

Retention of Vision Coin Vanish

Hold the coin between the extreme tips of the right thumb and first finger, allowing as much as possible of it to be visible. Place it on the palm of the left hand as

shown in Fig. 1. Slowly close the left fingers, keeping them touching one another and extended, the bend being made at the lowest joints, so that they come to touch the back of the middle joints of the right hand, as in Fig. 2.
Coin Vanish Figure 3

The instant this position is arrived at, and not till then, extend the right second and third fingers over the coin, the movement being masked by the curved fingers of the left hand, Fig. 3.
Coin Vanish Figure 4

With the left finger tips still touching the middle joints of the right fingers, move the right wrist forward, the left finger tips and the middle joints of the right fingers acting as a hinge, Fig. 4. The coin itself should now lie flat on the tips of the right second and third fingers which are curved slightly toward the palm.
Coin Vanish Figure 5

Now move the right hand forward a little to the position shown in Fig. 5 and complete the closing of the left fingers on the palm. From this position relax the right hand and let it drop slowly to the side, but on no account make any movement of the right fingers by palming the coin at this moment. In the meantime, move the left hand slowly upwards and make the motions of rubbing the coin away, finally opening it and showing it empty.

While your whole attention is focused on this action of the left hand, press the coin into the right palm and bring the right hand up, pointing with the forefinger to the empty left hand.

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I cannot recommend too strongly that the student follow the instructions given, for there is nothing in the entire realm of coin sleights so deceptive. The whole action is based on the optical illusion known as the persistence of vision.

Learn more about coin sleights including the coin vanish.

*Retention of Vision Coin Vanish selected, adapted, and modernized from Modern Coin Magic.