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Old English Penny by Matthew Wright

Created by: Matthew Wright

**Old English Penny** (also known as *Hedex*) is a close-up coin magic routine created by **Matthew Wright**. The trick revolves around a surprising transposition of coin heads, blending historical context with visual magic. The performer presents a 1963 Old English penny (minted on the day of JFK's assassination) and a 2013 Kennedy silver dollar (commemorating the 50th anniversary of JFK's death). With a simple gesture, the silver dollar's head transforms into the copper head of Queen Elizabeth II, while the spectator discovers the penny they were holding now bears the silver head of JFK. The effect is fully examinable and designed to be engaging, with a strong storyline, comedy, and audience participation.

Key features

  • Simple to perform with an engaging plot

  • Visual magic that happens in the spectator's hands

  • Instant reset and minimal pocket space

  • Fully formed routine tested in hundreds of performances

  • Includes gimmicked coins and concise instructions

Pros

  • Highly visual and surprising climax

  • Strong historical and storytelling elements

  • Easy to follow for beginners and pros alike

  • Compact and portable for close-up performances

Cons

  • Requires gimmicked coins (included)

  • May need practice for smooth presentation

Effect

The Old English Penny trick creates a surprising transposition between two coins. The magician shows a 1963 Old English penny with Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait and a 2013 Kennedy silver dollar. After a simple gesture, the Kennedy dollar’s face changes to Queen Elizabeth’s, while the penny in the spectator’s hand now shows Kennedy’s face. The coins remain fully examinable, making the transformation even more baffling.

Full Details

The routine uses two historically significant coins—a 1963 Old English penny (minted on the day of JFK’s assassination) and a 2013 Kennedy silver dollar (commemorating the 50th anniversary of his death). The magician plays with the idea of rarity and value before performing the transposition. The trick includes a scripted presentation, blending humor, storytelling, and audience interaction.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick suits magicians who enjoy storytelling and historical hooks in their routines. It works well for close-up performances, walk-around magic, or even parlor settings. Beginners will appreciate its simplicity, while experienced performers can adapt the presentation to fit their style.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Old English Penny is designed to be simple to perform. The method relies on cleverly gimmicked coins, so no advanced sleight of hand is required. The real challenge lies in the presentation—selling the historical context and engaging the spectator.

What Magicians Say

Matthew Wright, the creator, describes it as "one of my all-time favorite coin tricks" that "ticks all the boxes for what you want from a magic trick." He emphasizes its simplicity, visual impact, and instant reset. The routine has been tested in real-world performances, ensuring reliability.

One spectator in the video reacts with disbelief: "No, that's not possible... that's not normal!" The combination of history, humor, and magic makes it a memorable experience for audiences.

If you want a self-working, visually striking coin trick with a strong narrative, the Old English Penny is worth considering.

What people are saying about Old English Penny

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

Hedex ticks all the boxes for what you want from a magic trick—simple, direct, an interesting hook, and a scripted routine tested thousands of times in the real world. [...] It's got comedy, intrigue, and magic that happens in the spectator's hands.

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