Using a new discovery, we find it possible to now make 100% perfect an old time trick that sounded well on paper but which gave a low percentage of correct results.

Most of the child trick books carried the feat of finding one chosen coin from among others by the simple but subtle expedient of picking out the one a bit warmer than the others. Such a method necessitated the spectator’s holding the selected coin to their forehead, or in their close hand for a minute or so to give it heat. After being mixed with eight or ten more coins in a hat, the performer would search hopefully for the one not as cold to the touch as the rest.

In the following effect and method, the performer asks for the loan of eight or ten coins of the same denomination. Pennies or nickels do very nicely. They are gathered together and put on the table. The performer states that by constant practice, his sense of touch has been developed to what might be called an alarming degree, and he will offer proof.

Someone is asked to select at random any one coin from the pile, and to mark it, make a very slight scratch upon it secretly. The performer takes the coin for a second, glances at the date, and either puts it on the table with the others or drops it into a hat. The coins are gathered together by anyone, dropped into the hat, and the performer blindfolded. Reaching into the hat with one hand, the performer feels around among the mixed up coins, and produces the right one without fail. He explains that by noting the date, he has been able to pick that one out from among the others.

As we said before, the secret makes use of a new discovery. At the nearest stationery store, secure a 15 cent roll of Scotch Cellulose Tape. It is transparent mending tape, such as is used to mend torn books, but it has an adhesive on it like no regular adhesive tape yet made. It is best in the half inch width for our purpose. Cut off a piece a half-inch square. Put it (with the sticky side up, of course !) on the table, or inside a hat you have at hand. That’s all you need.

Borrow the coins and have them in a pile. The piece of transparent paper, if on the table, is never noticeable a short distance away.

Have a coin selected from among the bunch and secretly have it marked for later identification.

Take back the coin, handling it openly so everyone can see you do nothing to it, and pretend to note the date. Put it on the table, right on top of the piece of tape. Don’t try to push it down. Just lay it there and with this stuff you don’t have to worry ! Step away while the coins are gathered up and dropped in the hat.

The other way is to have paper in hat. Look at the date of the coin, as you hold it by the edges in one hand over crown, and then drop it. Just as long as it hits the tape you are set. The tape does the rest. It is invisible on the coin and all the shaking up in the world won’t dislodge it. You find it by the feel, and by rubbing it between the fingers roll the tape off, and it leaves the coin with no stickiness at all.

Just take a chance for once, and try it out.