Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Bend a Coin With a Magic Trick

If you're looking for a way to amuse your family and friends, try learning to perform a few magic tricks. "Up-close" magic is the type of tricks that you perform for a small group, rather than on stage for a large audience. Coin tricks are common up-close magic feats. One simple magic trick that will baffle your onlookers is the bending coin trick. This trick involves a basic sleight of hand technique, along with a little prop preparation. With a little practice, you will have your audience thinking that you have magical powers over the properties of metal.

Things You'll Need

2 like coins
Pliers
Long sleeve shirt

Instructions

- 1
  Select two like coins that are similar in appearance. Although they don't have to be exactly the same as far as date, they should have a similar look in terms of wear.
- 2
  Grasp one coin with a set of pliers and bend a crease into the coin. This will be your "prop" coin. If you have a larger coin like a quarter, you may need to use a set of pliers in each hand.
- 3
  Place the prop coin inside the cuff of your right sleeve.
- 4
  Show your audience the "real" coin. Hold the coin in your right hand and explain that you are going to perform a magical bending act.
- 5
  Motion as if you are transferring the coin from your right hand to your left. Pretend to receive the coin in your left, but as you do so, wedge the real coin inside your right palm. You are going to palm this coin for the rest of the trick so that the audience never sees it again. As you perform this fake pass, hold your right arm straight down and allow the prop coin to slide from your sleeve into your palm. This takes practice to make it look natural, but the audience should be watching your left hand since you gestured as if you were placing the coin in your left hand.
- 6
  Bring your hands together with your fingers on the underside of the prop coin and your thumbs on the top of the coin.
- 7
  Grasp the sides of the coin with both hands and pivot your wrists back and forth as if you're "loosening" the coin. Explain that you are softening the metal.
- 8
  Hold the prop coin up with your left hand to reveal the bend. As your audience is admiring your work, subtly drop the real coin from your right palm into your pocket.

Other Hobbies