Magic with money: tricks that liven up parties and performances
It’s pretty cool to be able to casually perform a magic trick at a party or as entertainment, isn’t it?
That said, many people probably think, “Magic is a hassle because you have to prepare props in advance.”
But with money magic, you can perform using the coins or bills you’re already carrying, so it’s easy and convenient.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of magic tricks that use money.
Some of them do require solid technique, but there are also self-working tricks that you can do just by following the steps.
Give them a try!
- Magic tricks with banknotes: recommended tricks for parties and performances
- Simple Magic! Fun Tricks Kids Can Do & Revealed Secrets!
- How to Perform Coin Magic: Revealing the Secrets and Techniques of Simple Tricks
- With Explanations: Easy Magic Tricks for Lower-Grade Elementary School Children — How to Do Simple Tricks
- A simple summary of coin magic: beginner tricks where palms and gimmicks are easy to try.
- [Easy] A Beginner’s Guide to Card Magic: Tricks Even Elementary School Kids Can Do Right Away
- [Easy] Magic tricks that will liven up the classroom: Recommended tricks you can do even during recess
- Magic tricks using cups. Tricks you might want to try for entertainment or performances.
- [Card Magic] Amazing Magic Revealed: Difficult Tricks for Advanced Magicians
- [Coin, Cards, Pen, etc.] Compilation of Magic Tricks Where Objects Disappear
- Super easy magic tricks kids can do! Fun tricks you can play right away
- Magic with money: tricks that liven up parties and performances
- Simple magic tricks using stationery: recommended tricks for parties and performances
Money tricks: Magic with money that livens up parties and performances (21–30)
Ultra-simple yet difficult coin vanish
It’s a magic trick where a coin that should be firmly placed in the center of your palm disappears when you open your hand.
The key is how you grip the coin: by holding it with a slight gap, you create a mechanism that lets the coin pop out when you shake your hand.
What matters next is how you catch it—the movement of the gripping hand and the way you layer the other hand cleanly hides the coin that pops out.
If you also pay attention to how you hold it in the catching hand, you can control where the “vanished” coin will reappear, which I highly recommend.
The Sheep and the Thief
This is a story-based magic trick that likens coins to sheep on a farm and a thief trying to steal them, manipulating the number of coins in your hands.
As you “lead the sheep into the barn” of your hands, switching which hand begins the loading or producing creates the numerical illusion.
By clearly narrating the dialogue of the thieves in each hand, you focus the audience’s attention on the sheep-coins displayed in front of the hands, making it harder for them to notice the changing number of coins.
It’s a prime example of a self-working trick—no sleights or gimmicks required—just follow the procedure and the magic works itself.
Magic with Money: Party-Pleasing Tricks and Performances (31–40)
A magic trick where the top and bottom bills switch places
It’s a magic trick where you roll a 1,000-yen bill and a 10,000-yen bill together so they cross, then unroll them, and the top and bottom of the crossed section appear to have swapped places.
By holding down the protruding edge of the 1,000-yen bill toward you while spreading them open, the overall position shifts and the bills’ top and bottom are swapped.
The key is where you overlap the 1,000-yen bill on the 10,000-yen bill—if you cross them to the left of center rather than in the middle, the top and bottom will switch cleanly.
When you open them, the positions of the bills change, so it’s also recommended to cover the lower part with your hand to conceal the method and show it without giving away the secret.
A coin appears from within the banknotes.
This is a magic trick where coins come out of a bill.
Tricks where the bill disappears or changes are common, but having coins appear is a bit unusual, so it feels fresh and fun.
It’s handy because you can perform it at casual gatherings or parties.
A magic trick that changes a 1,000-yen bill into a 10,000-yen bill
It’s a fun magic trick where you fold a 1,000-yen bill into a small square, wave your hand over it, and when you unfold it, it’s turned into a 10,000-yen bill.
The method is simple: you secretly keep a folded 10,000-yen bill in your hand, and when you fold the 1,000-yen bill and pass your hand over it, you swap them.
To make the folding of the 1,000-yen bill look smooth, fold it while layering it over the pre-folded 10,000-yen bill, and be mindful of which side you show during the switch.
How you apply pressure with your fingers to avoid revealing what’s hidden behind, as well as the angle of your hands, are also important points.
Communication Magic Through Business Card Exchange
When you receive a business card, say, “Looks like we have a connection!” and perform a trick where you produce a five-yen coin from the card.
Hold the prepared five-yen coin concealed behind the card, and as you give the card a light shake, make the coin appear.
Move the card naturally and show both sides to emphasize that there’s no trick involved.
Since you’ll be holding the coin along the back side, cover it with your fingers and shift it toward the edge when showing the back to keep it hidden.
It’s a magic trick you can use in many situations as long as you have a card and a coin.
A magic trick where the coin in your hand disappears
Making a coin disappear in your hand is a classic magic trick! It’s simple, yet truly astonishing.
Here are three ways to perform a vanishing coin trick.
To make the coin appear to vanish, you can hide it in your hand, flick it into your sleeve, or drop it onto your lap.
These tricks require technique and practice, but if you keep at it, you’ll succeed—so stick with it patiently.
It’s best to practice in front of a mirror or by recording yourself to make sure the coin isn’t visible to your audience.