Collecting Magic Tokens
Famous Magicians Minted Coins for Use in Tricks and Promotions
Like alchemists turning iron into gold, magicians are always called upon to make money out of thin air. The most enterprising of them minted their own!
Magicians were often called upon to make money appear, and the most successful of them had their own coins minted. These, they used for sleight of hand as well as advertising and promotional purposes. These tokens were made of copper, silver, brass, bronze, nickel, base metal, wood, and later, plastic. They were stamped with the magician’s stage name, and sometimes his likeness. If they were used for sleight of hand, they would be made to a magician’s specifications with special features that would facilitate tricks. Some were made to be used onstage, then tossed out into the audience, and some were intended purely as souvenirs. These tokens are affordable and easy to find if you know where to look. . .
Magic Company Tokens
Many companies that created and sold products for use by magicians created their own store tokens, which were for promotional purposes Stamped with the store name on the front, and a mysterious symbol, they were both props and premiums.
Martinka Tokens
One of the most famous magic shops, Martinka, began producing tokens in the early 1900’s. This shop was once owned by Houdini himself who bought the struggling store to keep it going. The early Martinks tokens were made of nickel/silver, and later in plated brass & bronze. The face of the coin depicts a magician straddling the globe with the legend, “Deceiving the world.”
Holden Magic Shop Tokens
Max Holden’s Magic shop issued its “Holden Palming Coin” in 1935 as a promotional giveaway and as a premium when a customer bought other Holden products. Made in both silver and white metal, the token pictured a rabbit perched on the rim of a top hat. These tokens run about $5.
Magician’s Tokens
T Nelson Downs (1867-1938) billed himself as “The King of Koins” and his skill at sleight of hand was legendary. He invented moves used by magicians all over the world, as well as the classic Dime & Penny Trick. Downs’ token was made to be used during his act and thrown to the audience after. Made in 1904 of white metal, it has a hole in the center for easier handling. It’s stamped with his name as well as the legend, “King of Koins.” These tokens can be found in the market place for around $15.
Howard Thurston (1869-1936) Thurston was one of the 20th Century’s most famous magicians, combining skill at magc with a genius for self–promotion. Thurston’s advertising pieces were of the highest quality and are eagerly sought. His token was made in 1929 with his bust on the front and a scarab and the words “good luck” on the reverse. It was sold after shows and through the mail to promote his horoscope books. The 1929 Thurston token in excellent condition sells for about $25.
Commemorative Tokens
The coins were issued by Magic Stores not for use as props, but strictly as promotional pieces. Magic’s Immortals is one such piece. The front depicts three giants of Magic-Kellar (1849-1922), Houdini (1874-1926), and Thurston (1869-1936), and the reverse shows a hand fanning a deck of cards. It was produced strictly as a collectible by Tannen’s in nickel silver. These tokens fetch $5.
Source:
- Peter Monticup at www.magictricks.com
