Solid passes through solid again. A surprising, quick trick to be done at the dinner table

You have two half dollars in your pocket. Both hands go below the edge of the table and the right hand goes into the pocket for the coins. As the right hand comes out; secretly drop one coin into the left hand and bring the other up into view. Lean forward, give the coin to someone, and ask that it be examined to make sure that it is genuine and quite solid. As he is doing this, extend your left hand under the table, place the second coin on your knee, and leave it there.

Take the first coin back from the spectator and place it on

the table directly in front of you, five or six inches from the edge of the table. Show both hands, front and back, so that it is obvious that they are empty. Say, "Watch!" Cover the coin with the right fingers, pull it back to the table edge, pick it up, move the hand forward, and slap it down on the table. Press down on it and rub it against the table with a circular motion.

While this is going on, put your left hand under the table, pick up the coin from the knee, and hold it on the fingers, the hand palm up. Say, "This doesn't seem to be working." Lift the right hand and show the coin, then slide it back and leave it five or six inches from the table edge as before.

Press your right forefinger against the center of the table-top in two or three places as you say, "I'm sure there's a soft spot here somewhere. Oh yes, here it is."

Cover the coin again, slide it to the edge of the table, and pretend to pick it up, but this time let it drop into your lap instead. Immediately move your right hand forward and slap it down on the table as before; at the same time, your left hand slaps the coin it holds up against the underside of the table. The sound of the coin hitting the table seems to indicate that it is still under the right hand.

Go through the pressing and rubbing motions as before, then suddenly say, "There it goes!" Lift your right hand, showing that the coin has gone. Pause a moment, then bring the left hand up and drop the coin on the table.