"Numismatic" download by Tim David
Price USD$9.97
Available from TheMagicTeacher.com
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Numismatic", a downloadable video by Tim David, is the slickest, most magical version of the "coin through glass table" plot available to date, hands down. Clean in appearance, simple in method, this is one that really does look like magic.

The plot is simple enough: borrow a quarter, put it on top of a glass table, make a magical gesture, and the coin goes through the table. With "Numismatic", that plot summary is really underselling things. Check out the video on David's website and you'll see what I mean.

Told you. "Numismatic" is gorgeously elegant and looks all the world like the Real Thing. I think I was sold on this just from the video alone. When it got to the workings, well, I pretty much became a believer.

The website hype isn't hype at all. There are no gimmicked coins in play, no magnets, no jewelry requirements, the table is un-gaffed, no wax, no difficult sleights... In fact, you only have to worry about a slight angle issue and a moderate clothing requirement (you'll need to wear sleeves for this one).

This all comes courtesy of a nice idea for a gimmick, something you'll throw together for less than a dollar from stuff you've probably got laying around the house, and a fiendish bit of handling that makes the most out of the gimmick.

And if that doesn't pique your interest, there's something else: doing this with a signed coin is simple as well. Though it's not taught on downloaded videos, the method for this is available on the website and is easy to learn once you've mastered the material on the "Numismatic" videos.

Speaking of those videos, there are two in the WMV format, weighing in at about 25MB and 18MB. David shot these himself, so the videos are of the "shot in the living room" variety, but David did a great job of putting them together; considering this amounts to a one-man shoot, it's done surprisingly well.

But my hat's off to David for his instructions. He does a superb job here. He loves his routine and cares about giving up every single bit of thinking about it so that anyone can do it like he does (translation: "beautifully"). There's no stone left unturned here; you'll have no problems learning "Numismatic".

And once you learn it, you'll be dropping jaws straight to the floor.

I'll be honest, the clothing requirement kind of got me -- I don't like clothing requirements of any kind. But in the end, this is not that big a deal and "Numismatic" is worth it; really, the biggest problem I had was being somewhere a glass table was available. When it was, the impact of this one -- the shouts and shrieks and stunned silence we all love, even before the climax was completely revealed -- made the gimmick and the clothes and anything else completely worthwhile.

Yep, "Numismatic" is a keeper. It's a stunning piece of work, easy to do, carries a formidable impact, and belongs in anyone's arsenal.

"Numismatic" download by Tim David
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Material: 10
This is a beautiful coin-through-glass-table effect, period. The method allows for a clean appearance throughout and a startling moment of magic. If you're in the market for a great solution to the plot, this is it.

Practicality: 8
There are very slight angle problems and you've got a clothing requirement to deal with, but those are minor things. You've also got an easy set-up and an instant reset with none of the usual gimmicks and gaffs and methods in play. All in all, this is a very practical piece of work.

Quality of Production: 8
The two downloadable videos (in WMV format) are a one-man, amateur production and it shows, but it's not as bad as that sounds. David took the time to make this the best he could with what he had on hand and the end result is really very good. You'll have no problems learning his routine though some of the camerawork may make you a little dizzy.

Quality of Instruction: 10
David gets a big thumbs-up here. He covers everything -- from the creation of the gimmick to the mechanics to the psychology involved -- extremely thoroughly, making sure every little detail is covered. You'll be doing this one as David does it easily.

Presentation: 10
With something like this, verbal components are always narrative and the visuals usually murky at best. The former applies here, but certainly not the latter. This is the cleanest, most direct version of the plot I've seen; this is what it would like it if you could do it by magic.


Shane