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Money in the Bag by Craig Petty

Created by: Craig Petty

The 'Money in the Bag' trick is a visually stunning coin magic routine where coins seemingly vanish, reappear, and transpose between a custom-designed mesh-front coin bag and the performer's hands. Spectators witness coins disappear from their hands and reappear inside the bag, or even penetrate through the table into the bag. The trick is perfect for close-up or parlour magic, offering a blend of visual impact and audience interaction. The bag's design allows for minimal sleight of hand, making it accessible to beginners while still impressing seasoned magicians. Buyers receive two custom coin bags, a set of coins, and over six hours of tutorial videos covering multiple routines.

Key features

  • Custom-designed mesh-front coin bag for visual clarity

  • Minimal sleight of hand required, making it beginner-friendly

  • Includes two bags and a set of coins for versatile routines

  • Over six hours of detailed tutorial videos

  • Compatible with coins from any currency

Pros

  • Highly visual and engaging for audiences

  • Versatile for various performance settings (close-up, parlour, stage)

  • Self-working aspects reduce the need for advanced skills

  • Comprehensive tutorials cater to all skill levels

  • Durable and well-designed props

Cons

  • Jumbo coin not included (required for some routines)

  • May require practice to master timing and presentation

  • Limited to coin-based effects

Effect

The Money in the Bag trick, part of Craig Petty's Bag Reborn project, creates the illusion of coins vanishing, appearing, and traveling impossibly between a performer's hands and a small mesh-front coin bag. Spectators see coins visibly jump into the bag, penetrate through tables, or transform into larger coins—all while the bag remains transparent, making the magic seem even more impossible.

Full Details

The trick uses a custom-designed coin bag with a mesh front, allowing spectators to see coins inside at all times. The bag includes a hidden compartment that enables self-working vanishes, productions, and transpositions. The Bag Reborn set includes:

  • Two coin bags (one for advanced routines).
  • Five uncirculated half-dollar coins.
  • A Chinese coin for specific routines.
  • Over six hours of tutorial videos covering sleights, setups, and multiple routines.

Performers can use their own currency, making the trick adaptable. The bag also doubles as a close-up mat for other coin tricks, adding versatility.

Who Should Consider the Trick

  • Beginners: The bag handles much of the work, requiring minimal sleight of hand.
  • Intermediate/Advanced Magicians: The system allows for combining sleights and advanced routines, like jumbo coin productions or multi-bag transpositions.
  • Walkaround Performers: The bag is compact, fits in a pocket, and works without a table.

Difficulty

  • Low to Moderate: Most routines rely on the bag's mechanics, reducing the need for advanced sleight of hand.
  • Sleight-Friendly: Optional moves (e.g., finger palms) are taught for those who want to enhance effects.
  • Setup: Quick and reusable—load a coin into the hidden compartment, and you're ready.

What Magicians Say

  • Craig Petty: Calls it "the best utility device for coin magicians," emphasizing its visual impact and accessibility. He notes it’s ideal for performers who want "self-working coin magic with no palming."
  • AlakazamMagicUK: Highlights the bag’s ability to create "20 times more visual" effects than traditional methods, praising its versatility for both beginners and pros.
  • Performers: Many reviewers mention the bag’s examinability—spectators focus on the coins, not the bag, making the magic feel fair.

The Money in the Bag trick is a standout for its balance of simplicity and strong visual magic, making it a valuable addition to any coin magician’s repertoire.

What people are saying about Money in the Bag

AlakazamMagicUK says...

The coin bag allows for visually impressive magic without requiring advanced sleight of hand. [...] It's the best utility device available for coin magicians.

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