The Effect
Three coins are shown openly in your hand.
You close your fist around them and slowly squeeze. When your hand opens again, one of the coins has completely vanished.
The secret uses a simple homemade foil shell that can be made in only a few minutes.
Before You Begin
You will need three identical coins, a small piece of aluminium foil and a pair of scissors.
Ask an adult to help if you need to cut the foil. Work carefully so the foil shell keeps the shape of the coin.
Gather the Materials
You'll need a small piece of aluminium foil, a matching coin and a pair of scissors.
The foil will be moulded to create the secret gimmick.
Shape the Foil
Lay the foil over the coin and gently smooth it down with your finger.
Press around the edges until the foil clearly takes on the shape of the coin.
Cut Out the Shell
Carefully trim around the moulded foil to leave a thin shell shaped like the coin.
The closer the shell matches the real coin, the more convincing the illusion will be.
Inspect the Gimmick
Close up, the shell is clearly made from foil.
During performance, however, it blends in surprisingly well with the real coins as long as you don't give the audience time to study it.
Display Three Coins
Show three matching coins in your hand. Two are genuine and one is the foil shell.
Handle the coins naturally and avoid drawing attention to any individual coin.
Secretly Crush the Shell
Close your hand and pretend to squeeze the coins with magical force.
Secretly crush the foil shell into a tiny ball and conceal it between your fingers.
Reveal the Vanish
Open your hand to reveal that only two coins remain.
The hidden foil ball stays concealed between your fingers while the audience believes a real coin has disappeared.
Dispose of the Gimmick
The crushed foil shell is now tiny and easy to hide or casually drop into your pocket.
Your audience is left with the impression that one of the coins has simply vanished.
Performance Tips
Use the dull side of the aluminium foil when making the shell. It reflects less light and looks more like a real coin.
Keep the coins moving naturally and don't pause on the gimmicked coin. Confidence is far more convincing than trying to hide it.
After the vanish, casually place your hand in your pocket to dispose of the crushed foil before anyone asks to examine the coins.