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Magic Tokens

From Magicpedia, the free online encyclopedia for magicians by magicians.
Revision as of 17:10, 21 June 2017 by Mrk20 (Talk | contribs) (References)

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Magic Tokens are coins and palming disk that are made specifically for magicians. They have been made of copper, silver, brass, bronze, nickel, base metal, wood, plastic and even paper.

They are sometimes stamped with the magician’s name and likeness. If they were also used for sleight of hand, they would be made with special features. T. Nelson Downs, for example, were unusually thin and well-balanced for easy palming and manipulation.

Tokens have been produced for as long as Magicians have been performing coin tricks. These were often thrown out to the audience as mementos. Other were advertising pieces and souvenirs. Magic shops, including Martinka, Abbott Magic & Novelty Co. and L.L. Ireland Magic Co. Tannen's also coined their own tokens to promote themselves.

Books

  • "Illustrated Checklist" by F. William Kuethe, Jr. (October 1978) which was produced as Vol. 18, No. 5 of the TAMS Journal. This is the bible for magic token collecting.
  • "Conjurers' Coins and Medals" by J. B. Findlay, 1964

References