The Coins Across

by Ron Fredrick

The following version of this classic is one of the simplest I have ever seen, yet it works! The effect is that four coins pass from one hand to the other, one by one.

Needed are four coins. Half dollars are fine, but Ron Fredrick always uses silver dollars. He feels the size of the coin is important (because the technique is so minimal!) A close-up mat is also a necessity.  It is hard to pick up coins smoothly or easily from a polished bar or Formica topped restaurant tables.

To begin, lay out the four coins in a row that extends from upper left to lower right on the mat. Show both hands empty. One by one place all the coins in the right hand. Place the first coin into the finger palm position and place the next coin, overlapping it by about one half. Place the next, overlapping it the same, and last, overlapping the proceeding coin similarly. (Figure #1)

The first phase is to contract the middle and ring fingers, thereby, gripping the first coin (the finger palm) and dump the coins (except the palmed one) into the left hand.     (Figure #2)    Close it into a fist, turn left hand fingers down and move it to the upper left of the mat. At the same time close the right hand (it is already fingers down because it turned over to dump the coins). Move the right hand to the lower right.

The following items have proved to be very important.

Extend the right forefinger and move it near the upper left corner (but not too near the left hand) and say "There is an invisible road that extends from here to here".    (Figure #3)   Draw a line on the mat that goes from the upper left to the lower right. Shake the coins in the left hand; make a catching motion with the right. Show a coin in the right hand and drop it on the right side of the mat. Slowly open the left hand and spread out the three coins in a vertical row on the left side of the mat.   (Figure #4)

With the right hand pick up the coins on the left, one by one, and place them in the left hand. Hit the second coin loudly against the first one as it is placed in the hand.

Pick up that third coin and also a place it in the left hand hitting it against the other coins. However, don't let go -- . just allow the coin to slip up slightly behind the right fingers. Simultaneously close the left hand as the right hand swings to pick up the coin on the right. The "palmed" or stolen coin is literally lying on the curled middle and ring fingers.    (Figure #5)

They gradually curl in and hold the coin against the palm. The thumb and forefinger are now free to pick up the coin on the right.     (Figure #6)    Shake the left hand and say, "Three"; gesture with the coin at the right fingertips and say, "One". Position the left hand at top upper right as before. Again comment about the invisible road and draw its supposed path with the coin held at the right finger tips. Shake the coins in the left. Appear to catch the coin with the right. Actually catch the coin held by the thumb and forefinger so it clinks against the coin already in the hand. Pause, and lay out the two coins in the right. Slowly lay out the two coins in the left.

The third coin can be handled the same as the preceding coin. This has worked very well for most to whom I have taught this routine. However, it is better if one of the many "click passes" are used. (See Bobo's Coin Magic revised edition pp. 14 & 15, as well as a number of other sources.) Again, use the business of the "invisible road" and show that the third coin has come across.

The final coin is vanished by "your favorite method". Ron Fredrick loves the coin work of Al Schneider, so he uses Al's basic false transfer. Place the coin in the finger palm position and then as the coin is dumped into the other hand the thumb holds the coin in the finger palm position.    (Figure #7)     Therefore, the hand can be held flat. After the apparent transfer is made, the right hand releases and then grips the coin in the finger palm, freeing the thumb. However, any good false transfer will work here.

Then pick up the three coins in a fan at the fingertips keeping the coin finger palmed.     (Figure #8)     Again go through the "invisible road" bit, but this time be sure to keep the hands well separated. Shake the empty left hand and gather all the coins together in the right hand. Shake them a few times for emphasis.

Then, show the left hand empty and one by one lay out the four coins in the right hand in a nice display across the mat for a big finish!

Note: Since the coins leave the left hand and move to the right, the right opens first to show the arrival. But the last coin is the dramatic one, so a change is made. For the last coin, show that it has left the left hand by showing it empty first. Then, one by one, show all the coins have arrived in the right hand for the big finish.