Do you want to know the secret of Zanadu Swords Thru Half Dollar Trick?
How the two miniature swords could appear to go through the Kennedy Half Dollar coin confined inside the round pit in a closed box.
Visually the penetration effect of this swords-through-coin trick seems impossible.
The late Art Kahn of the now-defunct Zanadu Magic created this self-working trick.
- Definition of a self-working magic trick: It is also know as self-contained magic trick. It means a magic trick that don’t require sleight of hand skill. You just present the trick as the procedure instructed. It could be the props with built-in gimmicks, gaffed cards, or card tricks that rely on mathematical principles, like Jim Steinmeyer Nine-Card trick. Some even consider optical illusion and scientific demonstrations as a self-working trick. Karl Fulves wrote a self-working magic series of ten short books.
Then Airship Magic Manufacturing manufactured these magical props.
It came out with a limited edition made of Cambodian Rosewood.
Welcome to another post by the Info Ruckus Magic Trick Secrets Revealed series.
Where I would reveal and explain how are magic tricks done.
How magic tricks work, or what is the secret behind conjuring magic tricks?
The magicians refer to it as the method; the secret technique uses to create the illusion of a magical effect.
I would accompany my speculation with relevant pictures and video snippets.
In addition, I include the psychology behind this Swords Through Half Dollar trick.
Effect:
The performer shows a small wooden box with a sliding lid.
He removes the lid, and places a Kennedy Half-Dollar inside a round cavity.
Next thrust an antique-looking sword horizontally through the box from the top to the bottom.
Slide down the lid to close the box.
Then he thrusts the two more mini swords, one at a time vertically across the closed box.
Mysteriously it seems the two swords have penetrated the locked half-dollar coin inside.
Remove the two vertical swords, open the lid of the box.
Withdraw the three swords, and pour out the intact half-dollar coin.
Watch the demo video of Swords Through Kennedy Half Dollar by Magic Patagonia:
Zanadu Swords Thru Half Dollar Trick Secret
So, how could the two swords could possibly pass through the the solid silver coin?
When I first viewed the various demo videos, the two possibilities are:
- similar method as the classic Spiked Coin trick
- use a gimmick folding coin
I reckon these two options is because of the thickness the box and the depth of the round cavity.
Why does it need such deep box and a cavernous hole to hold a flat silver coin?
For a start, I thought probably there could be enough room for the coin to move around to avoid the two swords, like the Spiked Coin trick.
But I am not too certain is because, I do know the precise prop specifications.
Lo and behold, when I came across Patagonia Magic demo video.
After watching Roberto’s performance, I think I have cracked the method of the trick.
Let’s explore and unfold the magic of this penetration trick.
Folding Coin
It could be the second option which I have speculated; using a gimmick folding coin.
I reckon the secret of the Swords Through Half-Dollar close up trick is by using a two-fold folding coin, like the one shown below:
Right from the start of the video clip, you could see the two cracking lines across the silver coin.
Here are two pictures of the Kennedy Half Dollar folding coin, captured from Patagonia Magic video clip.
The two wave cut lines of the folding coin are indicated with orange arrows.
The three separate pieces are held by a fine rubber band inside the narrow slot around the coin edge.
Therefore the two sides of the coin can be folded or bent.
When the two miniature Spanish Toledo swords push at each side of coin, they just fold inwards.
Thus allowing the swords to pass through it, and come out at the other side of the box.
The vertical sword is to support the middle part of the coin, when its two foldable sides are being pushed by the swords.
Anyway, this is what I assume how Roberto’s matter through matter magic trick is done – with a gimmick folding coin.
The following pictures are folding coins of the Swords Through Half Dollar trick by Zanadu, taken from various websites.
Folding Coins Magic Gimmick Props
A folding coin is commonly used in the coin in bottle effect, and the fun “biting” coin routine, in which you appear to bite a piece from a coin and visually “spit” it back on.
To present this self-contained trick effectively, it relies your routine and the way you present the act.
If you want the spectators to examined the Kennedy Half Dollar silver coin, then you need to have an extra proper US Half Dollar coin.
You need to palm the folding coin in your hand, and make a switch when you place it into the box.
Psychology Of Swords Through Half dollar Trick
To the viewers, they assume they see two miniature swords penetrating the solid US Half dollar.
Even though they do not actually seeing the swords and coin in action, as they are concealed inside the box.
But in their mind’s eye, the pair of swords must have gone through the silver coin, even though they find it hard to believe.
The problem is our mind can suspend our disbelief.
Meaning, we can accept something as true, even though we know it’s not.
As long they do not know the method of the trick, they would engage with the penetrating illusion.
They would keep believing that something seemingly impossible is actually happening.
And that’s is magic!