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Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 10th, 2001, 12:30 pm
by Guest
I am looking for the Johnson type (brass) chinese coins. Like the ones that Kurtz uses in his Misty Like A Dream routine. I can not find these anywhere. If somebody out there has one, two, three, or four of these coins would they please let me know.

Thanks

Spydur

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 11th, 2001, 11:34 am
by Curtis Kam
I feel your pain. Getting dollar sized "chinese" (perhaps the term "Chinoise" would be more accurate) is getting tougher. However, the following sources are still good, as far as I know: (please let me knopw if I'm misinformed)

They sell a nicely designed coin made from pewter at www.sterlingmagic.com. These are a little thick in the half dollar size, but the dollar size is nice. They have a little trouble stacking silently, as I recall.

I believe Sasco also produces a "coin" (More like the "brass washer with the characters" you mentioned in your post) I'm assuming you're refering to the old style of johnson Chinoise coins. The more recent Johnson's seem pretty good.

I have found good ones at markets in Chinatown, believe it or not. They are sold on a chain, and are jewelry, or ornaments of some sort. These have the advantage of being very thin, and with a little work, they stack silently.

Of course, if you're tired of faking it, contact the Man, Todd Lassen. (KLARENTZ@aol.com) I mentioned this to him once, and he showed me three dollar sized AUTHENTIC Chinese coins. They were about 400 to 500 years old, and were very cool. Todd is a master craftsman, but is also amazing at finding rare coins. Drop him a line.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 11th, 2001, 1:09 pm
by Guest
Regarding Todd's authentic Chinese Coins, I know Todd was looking for Chinese Coins as well as his authentic supply is pretty low if not gone (I haven't asked him lately).

I don't know if he found a source for non-authentic ones. He was posting on forums a few months back asking for a source himself.

Dan

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 11th, 2001, 5:46 pm
by Frank Yuen
In regards to dollar sized Chinese coins, you might try Stevens Magic Emporium. I bought a few (as well as a jumbo) from them at one of the World Magic Seminars years ago. I think they were sold by Ton Onasaka at his Magicland table as well.

Frank Yuen

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 18th, 2001, 8:54 pm
by Guest
When I first saw Gary Kurtz end his Misty routine with the chinese coin sequence, I went nuts, But not half as nuts as I went trying to track down Johnson's out of production coins. The coins Curtis Kam refers to (not the pewter ones, or the Sasco's) are excellent. I was in Chinatown recently and also picked up a string of these coins. They are perfect because they are so thin, also, the design on them is exotic. I've searched extensivley for the Johnson version and gave up.

[ October 18, 2001: Message edited by: ChrisDavid ]

[ October 19, 2001: Message edited by: ChrisDavid ]

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 25th, 2001, 11:59 am
by Doc Rogers
All
Here is a web site that shows a 55 mm Chinese coin. I haven't seen them but the price is certainly good. I have asked if the coin is 3-D and will get back with their answer. Has anyone tried these? web page allseason
Best Wishes
Steve

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 25th, 2001, 4:44 pm
by Curtis Kam
Oh--I just remembered. Joshua Jay is selling the props for Troy Hooser's chinese coin and ribbon routine, which looks pretty good. I think they are available from Jay or Hooser, or both.

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 25th, 2001, 5:15 pm
by Guest
Curtis,
I believe these are half dollar size, made by Sterling, unless there is something new.

While I'm here, I must say Curtis, you have the some of the best hands in coin work I've ever seen!!

I perform your version of Vernon's coins and silk, with the chinese coin ending. The piece is pure magic and receives great reactions.

I'm a die hard coin man and routines like yours really make me smile.

Has Palms os Steel II been released yet? If not, what's the status?

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 25th, 2001, 7:38 pm
by Eric DeCamps
Curtis;

If you are still looking for dollar sized chinese coins (similar to the ones for the Kaps routine), you might want to check with Bob Little of Hatsboro, PA.

Good luck!

Eric DeCamps

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 25th, 2001, 8:03 pm
by Guest
It's amazing, not to mention bad business, how Johnson refuses to produce those silver dollar Hong Kong coins.

They must get bombarded with requests too!

I for one would be down for at least five of them.

Does anyone know the reason? Because it makes no sense!

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 25th, 2001, 10:51 pm
by Steve Hook
I have several half-dollar sized Johnson coins but am I right in guessing you're only looking for the dollar sized ones, Spydur?

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 25th, 2001, 11:21 pm
by Guest
Yes Steve, dollar sized ones.

The half dollar sizes are readily available at most magic shops.

[ October 25, 2001: Message edited by: Dan Watkins ]

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 27th, 2001, 5:51 pm
by Curtis Kam
ChrisDavid,

Thanks indeed for the kind words, and for proving that the material on the "Palms" tapes is do-able. Early on, it looked like the material might get a reputation for being impossible, probably due to the "not for the general public" approach we took.

I too, am ready for the second video, and we're supposed to shoot tonight, but I have a feeling that's not going to happen. We actually shot most of the footage for "PoS 2" at the same time as "PoS 1", but we lost it in the transition to digital.

So instead, we're going to shoot the stuff I'm using now, which, to tie this in with this thread, involves magic with three silver dollars and three dollar-sized Chinese coins. So I hope you have a set you like, since the way things are going, it doesn't look like I'll have them with me for lectures, as was planned.

Thanks for asking.

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 27th, 2001, 7:24 pm
by Bill Duncan
Is there something wrong with the Sterling Pewter Chinese Coins?

They're clearly different and it wouldn't be hard to fill in the area behind the characters with black paint if you wanted the to look more like the Johnson offering. They're $9 each for dollar size. Sterling Products Page

For that matter is there a reason they need to be chinese coins?
You might check out:
Todd's Custom Gaffed coins

I haven't contacted him bit it looks like he has lots of options available.

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 27th, 2001, 7:48 pm
by Guest
Bill,
Yes, there is a reason that the pewter coins do not suit my fancy. The fact that they are not brass, or some other color besides silver. I have many different useages for these coins, some my own and some others routines. So the color change would be helpful, but I do appreciate you linking Todds site, he has some wonderful gaffs.
Thanks
PS Were you in Vegas for the W.M.S. last January?? Do you know Jim Pace?? We are good friends and I wasn't sure if I have met you before.

Curtis,

I am extremely glad to hear that PoS II is coming about. I bought your first video right away and loved it tremendously. It inspired me to come up with my own set of notes, but I too fear that the material herein tends to be too difficult. I would be honored if you would take a look at them and tell me what you think. Please let me know if you are interested.
Thank you.

Thanks everybody for posting about where to find chinese coins. THANKS

Spydur
ouT.

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 27th, 2001, 8:10 pm
by Curtis Kam
Spydur,

I have attempted to email you re: your notes, but your address is blocked. Howcome?

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 28th, 2001, 12:16 am
by Bill Duncan

PS Were you in Vegas for the W.M.S. last January?? Do you know Jim Pace??


Spydur,
Sadly no. I'm not even sure what WMS is... nor do I know Mr. Pace.

I've been out of magic for almost 10 years (a major career change) and only just recently starting to get back into the swing of things.

Re: Dollar sized Chinese Coins

Posted: October 29th, 2001, 7:13 am
by Guest
Curtis,

You can e-mail me at corey_burke@yahoo.com
I have no idea why my e-mail is blocked, but I am sorry for any trouble this may have caused.
Thank you for your reply

ouT.