A half dollar visibly penetrates a borrowed handkerchief

Hold a half dollar upright between the finger tips and thumb of the left hand. You may use your own handkerchief but the trick is more effective if you use one belonging to a spectator. Lay the handkerchief over the left hand, adjusting it so that the coin is at its center. Then grasp the coin through the handkerchief momentarily between the right thumb and forefinger. Push the left thumb upward slightly making a small fold in the cloth behind the coin at its base (fig. 4A).

Let someone feel the coin through the cloth. Then, to further convince him everything is honest, grasp the front edge of the handkerchief with the right hand and lift it up and back onto the arm. Lower the left hand at the same time so that the coin points downward. This partially exposes the coin so that everyone can see that it is still there (fig. 4B).

The right fingers, which still hold the front edge of the handkerchief, now also grasp the rear edge which is lying on the arm, and then carry both edges forward and down, covering the coin. The coin appears to be fairly covered, but it is actually behind and outside of the handkerchief.

Grasp the handkerchief a few inches below the coin and twist it, drawing the cloth tightly around the coin. Grip the handkerchief with the second, third, and fourth fingers of the right hand, and press the thumb and forefinger against opposite edges of the coin (fig. 4C).

"Most magic takes place under cover, where you can't see it. This time it happens in full view. Watch! When I squeeze the coin, it passes right through the center of the handkerchief!"

Keep your left forefinger under the coin but lift your left thumb. Squeeze the edges of the coin with the right fingers, slowly pushing it into view. The illusion that it is being pushed right through the cloth is perfect.

"Of course," you add, "that ruins the handkerchief, but if I blow on it gently, the hole mends itself." Toss the handkerchief to its owner so that he can see for himself.