Every once in a while a trick is invented by the discovery of an odd fact before you constantly but not known. This is one of those mysteries and the astute performer will, upon going over the effect and method carefully, see at once the possibilities for a veritable miracle in the working. It can almost be made into a challenge effect and has practically no explanation.

Five coins are shown and examined. Four of them are United States nickels and the fifth is a Canadian nickel or five cent piece. They are sealed in borrowed envelopes which the performer never has seen or touched, and after mixing, are handed him one at a time behind his back. He correctly divines the location of the Canadian nickel among the rest while the sharpest eyes can be watching the procedure !!

The secret is quite astonishing. It just so happens that Canadian five cent pieces are magnetic, while those of U.S. coinage are not. In that fact lies the secret. Under your coat, and hanging from the back of your shirt or vest, is as strong a magnet as can be obtained and carried. The envelopes are applied to the magnet as received and there is no difficulty in ascertaining the location of the one coin.

Mr James went so far as to obtain a real heavy magnet bar from a flour mill. Being used in one of the chutes to catch any metallic substances before they passed through the rollers, it was much stronger than usual. With this under the coat, and the envelopes held by one corner so the coin drops to the bottom, the pull of the magnet when the envelopes are held near will cause the correct envelope to sway towards it and the attraction of the magnet is obvious.

The ones who can see in this principle good possibilities for a master pocket and publicity trick will no doubt devise their own method for handling and concealing the magnet. The fact that both the envelopes and coins are totally unprepared and handled freely by the spectators is what makes this a challenge trick that can’t be duplicated.