I was surfing a private magicians group on Facebook. As usual there was a bit of trivialization in the comment section about a post pertaining to coin magic in the 21st Century. Some magicians need to stop thinking like magicians – I swear. I have personally heard storied of my Nashville counterparts performing coin magic for a young crowd and the children asking what the coin was. That’s a statement on the naiveness of children who haven’t experienced life yet (and this is a BIG reason why I caution against performing for young children). As things are becoming more digitalized it begs the question – what’s the future of coin magic?
Thomas Nelson Downs, or T. Nelson Downs was a figure in magic history I was fascinated with in high school. Downs made a career, a very successful career out of coin magic. I won’t give his whole biography here, a Google search will give you an idea of his colorful life. It was THIS fascination I had with this man that got me interested in coin magic.
You see coin magic in the books, it seems so simple but in reality, very very very few people actually perform coin magic. Its one thing read and practice but to actually perform it is another story. It wasn’t until my 30ths that I began incorporating coin magic routine(s) in my show! I think the intimidation many feel about coin magic speaks about the Universal appeal to coin magic & why it has lasted throughout the ages.
Coin Magic Represents Something We All Crave – Control. Control over our future, security & finances.
The Discovery Of Witchcraft, first printed in 1584 by Reginald Scot, a English attorney & harsh critic of King James I was one of the first magic expose in English. It was mainly a ideology attack on King James I & his paranoia about witchcraft, it did contain a few chapters explaining sleight of hand with balls, string and …. Coins!
The fact that coin magic has been around long before 1585 speaks of the longevity of the genre. No matter the economy or change in technology – there will always be appeal to coin magic for the symbolism it stands own; power and control. 2 things many desire.
Jordan Allen 