The magician shows that a small crystal glass is empty and places it on an ornate, red, velvet-covered box that is on their table. After a tube is shown to be empty, it is placed over the glass. Next, four coins are inserted into four slots set inside in a small, ornate chest; half of each coin remains visible. The magician hands the chest to someone in the audience and instructs them to close it. The magician waves their magic wand toward the chest, then sweeps it over to the covered glass. An audible “clang” comes from the glass. They raise the tube, and show a coin inside the glass. They ask the spectator to raise the lid of the little chest; there are now only three coins remaining. This is repeated three more times as each of the four coins magically travels from the Coin Casket to the glass on top of the “Magic Box of Archimedes.”
The Coins to Glass—sometimes known as Copenetro—is a classic of magic. Because there have been prop as well as sleight-of-hand versions, its origins are a bit elusive. Some sources would lead you to an early-20th century creation. These are off by at least 50 years given that this prop, built by Emile Voisin in the mid-19th century, is physical evidence of that. I will let others debate the history of the plot; I’m more interested in this incredible example of craftsmanship, and I think you will be, too.
