Coin Jar by Oliver Meech

Created by: Oliver Meech

The 'Coin Jar' trick is a visually stunning close-up magic effect where a spectator's chosen coin mysteriously vanishes from their hand and reappears inside a factory-sealed jar of pasta sauce (or any other sealed jar). The jar remains completely untouched and unopened throughout the performance, with the safety button still intact, making the impossibility of the coin's appearance inside even more baffling. This trick combines elements of sleight of hand, psychological misdirection, and clever prop design to create a moment of pure astonishment. It's perfect for close-up performances, parlour magic, or even stage shows with the right presentation.

Key features

Uses a factory-sealed jar (e.g., pasta sauce, jam) for maximum impossibility.
Spectator's chosen coin is freely selected and can be examined.
No suspicious handling of the jar—it remains sealed throughout.
Resets quickly for repeated performances.
Works with any coin and most jar types, making it versatile.

Pros

Highly visual and impossible to explain.
Spectator can examine the jar after the trick.
No complex sleight of hand required—relies on clever method.
Can be adapted for different presentations (e.g., time travel, physics demonstration).
Leaves a lasting impression due to the organic nature of the props.

Cons

Requires a one-time setup for the jar.
Acidic contents (e.g., pasta sauce) may corrode the coin over time if left inside.
Not suitable for signing the coin due to the method.
Jar must be handled carefully to avoid breaking.

Effect

The Coin Jar is a modern take on the classic "coin in bottle" effect, but with a twist. A spectator selects a coin from a bag, and it visibly vanishes from their hand, only to reappear inside a factory-sealed jar of pasta sauce (or any other sealed container). The jar remains untouched, with its safety button still down, making the effect seem impossible.

Full Details

The Coin Jar routine involves:

A sealed jar (such as pasta sauce or jam) that has never been opened.
A spectator freely selecting a coin from a mixed bag.
The coin visibly disappearing from their hand under test conditions.
The vanished coin appearing inside the jar, which remains completely sealed.

The method relies on a combination of physics, clever preparation, and psychological misdirection. The jar is examinable before and after, and the coin can be any freely chosen denomination.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

Close-up performers who want a strong, visual coin vanish with a surprising reveal.
Mentalists looking for a physical object penetration effect.
Restaurant or table-hopping magicians who need a self-contained, easy-to-carry routine.
Creators who enjoy adapting everyday objects into magic.

Difficulty

The Coin Jar is moderate in difficulty, primarily due to the setup and handling of the jar. The vanish itself uses a well-known coin sleight (based on Coin Unique), making it accessible to intermediate magicians. The real challenge lies in the presentation—making the effect feel organic and impossible.

What Magicians Say

Oliver Meech (creator of the routine) describes it as "a hands-off, test-condition effect that plays incredibly strong because the jar is genuinely sealed." He emphasizes the importance of making the vanish feel fair while keeping the method invisible.
Reviewers note that once you learn the method, you’ll start seeing potential applications everywhere—jars, bottles, and other sealed containers become magical possibilities.
Some performers caution about long-term storage with acidic contents (like pasta sauce), as the coin may corrode over time.

The Coin Jar is a deceptive, practical, and highly visual trick that stands out in any close-up set. If you enjoy combining everyday objects with impossible magic, this is a must-try.

What people are saying about Coin Jar

AlakazamMagicUK says...

Oliver Meech's 'Coin Jar' is a masterclass in combining everyday objects with impossible magic. The moment the coin appears inside the sealed jar is pure astonishment—it’s one of those tricks that sticks with audiences long after the performance.