"The Visible Chinese Coin Mystery System" by Marcel and Tango Magic
Suggested Retail USD$89.95
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 3 Out of 10

"The Visible Chinese Coin Mystery System", an effect by Marcel and assembled by Tango Magic, is, tragically, one of those things that is far to impractical to do often but, when you can, you'll find yourself displaying magical artistry that is almost as surreal an experience for your spectators as it is satisfying for you.

That's not as over-the-top as you might think. "The Visible Chinese Coin Mystery System", a set of tools that forms the basis of some fine, visual coin magic, does make for some incredibly dream-like effects, in particular the demo'd coin matrix that can be seen here and is taught on the DVD. And, with the suitable application of some elbow grease and some overactive brain cells, other routines become not only as simple but as reality-warping as that gorgeous matrix routine. But even if that's not the case, it's still a piece of art you'll find yourself loving to perform.

Here's hoping you get a chance to do just that and "The Visible Chinese Coin Mystery System" doesn't end up one of those things you keep around because you like playing with it and that's all you do with it.

You see, "The Visible Chinese Coin Mystery System" has some serious drawbacks. Scratch that: let's make it "very serious drawbacks" instead, because they are show-stopped and deal-enders and heart-breakers and they will mean all the difference between your buying this and being happy with it and leaving it alone and being happy for that.

First thing's first... Make sure you watch the video (the link's up above; you can't miss it), then come back.

Okay. Now, think for ten seconds about how this works. Good. Thanks.

Chances are you now know exactly how this works and all the drawbacks that come with it. Think if those are going to cause you problems or grief or anxiety and make your decision. See? That was easy.

If you're like most folks and got a little shaky around the solution, don't worry. It's my job to discuss the problems I see with this. The only thing is that I'm going to have to be pretty vague, moreso than usual.

Okay, first up... you'll need a close-up pad that, in one respect, matches the one Marcel is using in the demo. For some of us, that's not a problem; for more than a few of us, it's a serious problem. It was a serious problem for me because I use a custom mat that will never and can never work with this, so I had to buy a cheap one from a magic shop.

Second... lighting and angles thereof are a problem so dire that, if not perfect, will turn this into an absolute train wreck. Marcel gets huge points here for working that white gauze-like cloth into the routine as this takes care of a great deal of the lighting issues, makes them far less risky, but the risk still stays and never really goes away.

Third... Angles themselves are an issue. This is one where you need to have your audience pretty much set the way you need them, start to finish. If they're not, if someone moves a bit too far to the side, you're busted. Again, Marcel has done a great job of cutting down on the problem, but nothing completely removes it.

"Perform at your own risk" seems to be the theme here.

With those conditions, probably the only place you'll be able to get away with this at all is in a formal close-up show. For strolling and table-hopping and the like, this one ain't gonna cut it.

And there's the big issue. Can you perform this one with those conditions? Or does this become something you do once in a great while for a couple of friends and relatives and for yourself as a toy?

Now, that's the $64,000 question, sure. But there are a couple of other considerations, too.

In spite of the ad copy, you do not get "everything you need". Not even close. That big coin finale? Not included. The mat you may need to perform this? Not included. Granted, they do warn you of the big coin being lacking ... now (the original ad offered no such disclaimer), but some folks are going to find they need to shell out an extra $20-$25 and are not going to be happy. This is just plain bad business and shows a lack of respect for the consumer. Major points lost for this silliness. Tango Magic should know better by now.

The workmanship for the coins is a thing of beauty. These coins feel wonderful and handle well, even in my increasingly-awkward hands; I had to replace the white cloth after two hours of practice because of the runs and tears. I ended up replacing it with a loosely-woven cheap silk from Walmart and it worked much better without any of the problems. Coins = great, other stuff = shoddy. Major points lost for this, too.

Now, knowing all of this, you should be able to make the call on whether or not this is right for you.

For myself, it took me a while before I had a chance to break this one out. When I did, it was special for everyone involved. Reactions where huge. This thing is, in a word, striking. And I don't mind in the least it maybe taking another long while to pull this one back out again. I like it that much.

I might be one of the rare few on that, so ponder the Big Question: do you mind not being able to perform this as often as you might like, if ever?

Because of the likely answer to that, and to the other issues, this is one I just can't recommend without some strong reservations.

"The Visible Chinese Coin Mystery System" by Marcel and Tango Magic
In a Blink: 3 Out of 10

Practicality: 3
This is where "The Visible Chinese Coin Mystery System" really has problems. The method, which should be obvious to the performer looking to buy this, requires certain lighting conditions, angle conditions, prop requirements... You'll be struggling to find someplace to perform this one unless you find yourself in lots of formal situations.

Workmanship: 1
The coins are great, to be sure -- Tango always does a great job there -- but touting including everything and then not living up to that? Bad. Using shoddy materials for other pieces of this? Also bad.

Documentation: 5
The DVD is enough to get you going, and going well, but there's little else here on this short disc. It would have been nice to see some more ideas, handlings, etc. Still, you're likely to invent your own anyway so all is not lost here.

Effect: 10
I wasn't prepared for just how strongly this can hit spectators. In spite of everything, this one knocks them for a loop.

Presentation: 10|
The handling is incredibly open, slow and deliberate, and visibly striking; with all of that going for it, this is naturally going to be a very powerful, very beautiful, piece of magical artistry.


Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.