Michael Skinner Coin Routine

[Martin Perry]

Hello all,

I’ve been enjoying the rather brilliant Michael Skinner Professional Close-Up Magic DVDs once again, and I have a question regarding one particular item. It’s included on volume one, and is a lovely tabled coins across / transpo routine entitled, Four Copper & Silver Across.

Four copper coins and four silver coins, positioned in parallel rows, transpose one at a time as Michael draws his hands across them. It’s a strong and direct effect, and I wondered about the provenance of it. Was it original with Michael Skinner?

[Richard Kaufman]

Sounds like a version of John Kennedy's trick.

[Bill Duncan]

I think we're talking about Jules DeBarro's Coins of Ishtar.

John Kennedy's Translocation is four silver coins. The DeBarro routine uses equal numbers of copper and silver coins, as I recall.

If it's the routine I'm thinking of Skinner used an extra coin and thumb palm, yes?

[Martin Perry]

Richard and Bill, I’m unfamiliar with the Kennedy and DeBarro routines you mention, though from Bill’s description it appears to resemble Coins of Ishtar. Bill is correct in that Skinner used an extra thumb-palmed coin.

Am I right I’m thinking Jules DeBarro Coins of Ishtar used gaffs? Apparently, there exists a non-gaffed and possibly unpublished handling of DeBarro’s, The Coins of Tanganyika. This information comes from Bill Palmer.

It seems Ken Krenzel teaches his version in CoinMagic.

On another forum Uli Weigel writes: “According to Kaufman the basic effect of "The Coins of Ishtar" was created by Paul N. Rylander and appeared in "The Sphinx" magazine many years ago. Krenzel's version uses any six coins and pure slight of hand.“

Thank you for shedding some light on this, Richard and Bill!

[Joe Lyons]

Allan Ackerman's version, "Return to Ishtar", is in the May 2000 Magic Magazine in Jon Racherbaumer's column "Inside Out".

At the end of the article the provenance and different versions are discussed, beginning with Rylander and mentioning DeBarros, Kort, Farelli and Marlo and where they are published.

[Martin Perry]

Thanks Joe. Some more names to check out! Your post prompted me to have a look at the Conjuring Archive and the Rylander original can be found in The Sphinx, vol. 49, no. 11, 1950.

It appears Richard Kaufman also published a version (with purses) in Kabbala.

[MagicbyAlfred]

Martin Perry Wrote: "Am I right I’m thinking Jules DeBarro Coins of Ishtar used gaffs?"

I believe you are right. Conjuring Archive notes that the routine falls under the category of "coin/gaffed."
https://www.conjuringarchive.com/list/book/1341

[Philippe Billot]

PURSED COINS OF ISHTAR by Richard Kaufman is described in The Legendary Kabbala, ebook published in 2004. I don't know if it was described in the original Kabbala because I have three volumes reprint by Tannen and the trick is not inside.

You need only six coins—three coppers and three silvers (and a purse). No extra coins or gimmicks are used. The routine is done standing at a table with the audience looking down on your hands.

[Joe Lyons]

Martin Perry Wrote: "Am I right I’m thinking Jules DeBarro Coins of Ishtar used gaffs?"

I believe you are right. Conjuring Archive notes that the routine falls under the category of "coin/gaffed."
https://www.conjuringarchive.com/list/book/1341

I’ve got a copy.
It does.

[Richard Kaufman]

My routine is terrible!

[Bill Duncan]

Don't feel bad Richard, it's not a great plot.

Roth managed to make something wonderful of the premise with the Purse and Glass. The simple addition of those props makes all the difference in how interesting the effect is... and allows for a wonderful ending.

[Philippe Billot]

Thanks Joe. Some more names to check out! Your post prompted me to have a look at the Conjuring Archive and the Rylander original can be found in The Sphinx, vol. 49, no. 11, 1950.

It appears Richard Kaufman also published a version (with purses) in Kabbala.

Attention ! It's in Volume 48, January, page 282. (Number and year are correct)

[Martin Perry]

Attention ! It's in Volume 48, January, page 282. (Number and year are correct)

I appreciate the correction.

[Tom Frame]

I apologize for the derailment, but this discussion caused me to tangentially think of Al Schneider's cool effect Hugs and Kisses. You know, the coin effect with the X's and O's cut out of the copper and silver coins. I saw Al perform the effect live at some convention around 1978 and it blew my 18 year old mind. The premise of moving space, instead of moving matter, intrigues me. I still dig the effect.

[Philippe Billot]

Attention ! It's in Volume 48, January, page 282. (Number and year are correct)

I appreciate the correction.

It's my duty. I"m the Keymaster...