"Printing Coins" (Gimmick and DVD) by Ariel Carax
Suggested Retail USD$$60.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 8 Out of 10

"Printing Coins", a new effect by Ariel Carax, is one of those things which either makes the grade as new, refreshing, magic or ends up immediately in the sock drawer. Based on the performance requirements and lack of demonstrated flexibility, regrettably it's likely to be the latter, but this also has the potential to be a true "guilty pleasure" of many a performer.

And that's coming from someone dead-set on not liking this thing. Hey, I'm human. I pre-judge based on what I've seen and what I know. As soon as I saw this, I knew what it was (a little hard not to, really) and what I saw really didn't impress me much. Cute, I thought. Too limited, I figured.

Then I did it, fell in love with doing it, and therein did "Printing Coins" obtain the dubious distinction of being one of my Guilty Pleasures. For its faults - and there are a few - "Printing Coins" delivers something new for audiences while giving me a new toy to flex my brain cells upon which makes it worthwhile.

The effect is a bit unique. Briefly, the performer puts a coin (which can be borrowed and probably should be), a piece of paper torn from a notepad, and a pencil on the table. Placing the sheet of paper on top of the coin, the performer rubs the pencil on it, making an impression of the coin on the paper. The performer does this several times on the paper, then raises it to reveal that the coin has multiplied into the number of impressions.

Like I said, it's cute. And upon playing with this for a bit, the negatives started falling way behind the positives. Yes, I still would need a table, and a close-up pad (forget trying this on a table cloth; that's too iffy of a proposition), and I'd have to forget about using this for strolling because of the size and reset requirements (I just hate running to the bathroom to reset), but I'd gained an easy routine, a nice visual, a flexible device (it works with so many coins - nah, think in terms of "round, flat objects" - that I was surprised at its versatility), and some much-needed brain fodder.

When the time came for me to take this one out for a walk, I received very nice, very warm reactions. No screams, no running away, just more than a couple of cocked heads and some nervous laughter. But the reactions were solid and consistent. For a multiple-coin production that requires so little work, I couldn't ask for much more.

Now, I've mentioned some of the drawbacks, but for most people the biggest one is going to be the price. Folks, avoid disappointment: "Printing Coins", while something I really like and enjoy, needs a home in your act first. You know what to be aware of, and you've got some idea of what this is; if you get this on a whim, at the cost you'll be paying, you're going to be at least disappointed and at the most angry. Duck the stress; think about whether there's a place in your act or your brain for "Printing Coins" first, then purchase accordingly.

For myself, "Printing Coins" was worth every cent and I'll likely use mine until all my coins are rubbed flat and smooth; it's that clever a piece of work.

"Printing Coins" (Gimmick and DVD)" by Ariel Carax
In a Blink: 8 Out of 10

Practicality: 7
Angles are great on this one, but, while the set-up is easy, don't plan on resetting this one without a trip out of sight. Also, you'll need a table with free real estate to accommodate the sheet of paper and a close-up pad. The size is another issue as it's too big to carry around in a pocket - you'll want to work out of a case for this one.

Workmanship:10
This is wonderfully made. My hat's off to the manufacturer - a clever gimmick extremely well-produced is too much of a rarity nowadays.

Documentation: 9
The documentation - on DVD - is more than enough to get you started, but it would be nice to see different approaches and different routines for it.

Effect: 7
This plays pretty well. You won't get gasps of awe or shrieks of surprise, but you will get some nice, solid reactions from it.

Presentation: 7
The biggest drawback here is the time it takes between introduction of the prop and the revelation of the climax; there's a bit of time there you'll need to cover lest your audience grow weary… and vocal. Also, think about taking this a bit further than just producing coins and see what you come up; you might up the amperage on this one a good bit (and it's likely going to be better received).


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.