I.B.M. Ring 362
The Maine Mystics
Bangor, Maine

Raffle Prize for March Banquet
Sunday, March 9, 2008 - 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Jeff's Catering, Brewer, ME

1904 T. Nelson Downs Palming Coin

T. Nelson Downs was the self-styled King of Koins. He must have had a great act, because he played on large stages before audiences of thousands performing with coins. Anyone who has studied coin magic knows of his fundamental contributions to the art.

The item raffled was a 1904 T. Nelson Downs Palming Coin. The coin is about the size of a half dollar. The obverse shows a portrait of T. Nelson Downs with the words "T. Nelson Downs King of Koins" and the date of 1904. The reverse shows the hand of T. Nelson Downs with a big stack of coins with the words "The T. Nelson Downs Palming Coin." Beneath the wrist of the hand is the word "DEMON," I suppose so that it can't be mistaken for legal coinage. This version of the coin is rarer than the one with the word "FOREIGN" beneath the wrist.

The coin is in good condition in a protective cover, from which it could be easily removed if you want to actually touch this fabulous piece of magic history.

In view of the value of this item, raffle tickets were priced at $5 each. The raffle was won by Danny Baker. The raffle raised $56 for the Ring's Lecture Endowment.