The Chinese Money Box by Alan Warner

Here is a rare beauty from Alan’s early days when he’d create some wonderful and unique items for children’s performers.

As often is the case with Alan’s work, The Chinese Money Box is not what you are expecting. Normally in this type of die-box type effect the large Chinese coin vanishes after some byplay and is found somewhere else on the Magician’s person. In fact, this is an option but what really makes this item unique are these two features:

• When the coin has vanished the kids can still hear it rolling back and forth as the performer tips the box from side to side. But during this byplay the magician can expose half the coin in the back of the box, which will get the kids screaming even more.
• This is then followed by the startling climax that the coin they think is rolling back and forth is in fact a large gold coin instead of the original silver one.

I am almost always pleasantly surprised when I pick-up one of Alan’s items – he goes the extra mile to squeeze out all the magic he can from his wonderful items.  I think you will be pleased too 🙂

Effect: A large silver Chinese-type coin is placed inside the cabinet and the door is closed. Now follows the usual tipping of the box from side to side to show that the coin has vanished. The audience, however, CAW HEAR THE COIN rolling from one side of the cabinet to the other, and are especially skeptical when on one occasion, the coin seems to have become STUCK HALFWAY and part of it is clearly visible in one of the compartments after the door to it has been opened. Finally, both doors are opened to show that THE CABINET IS EMPTY!

The doors are closed again and once more the audience can hear the coin rolling around inside the Money Box: but, explains the performer, it is not the silver coin – being A MAGIC COIN it has changed into a different coin altogether! – and he opens the doors and removes A SOLID GOLDEN-COLORED COIN.

The cabinet (approx. 12″ x 3″ x 6″) is finished in bright yellow gloss enamel and black with matt black Chinese characters set in relief on the yellow doors. The coins are 5″ in diameter and made in wood. The special feature of the coin apparently becoming stuck halfway is under the performer’s control at all times and can be repeated.

We also supply a duplicate silver coin in case the performer should prefer to vanish the coin and reproduce it elsewhere instead of using the solid coin climax.

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