This is an original vanishing coin slide made of wood and manufactured in Japan probably around the 1930s, possibly earlier. It has been in storage since the late 1960s and is part of the inventory from Danny’s Magic Counter that was inside Macy’s in New York City.

The coin slide has become a classic plastic prop that is found in many magic sets. I am not sure who invented it but the earliest one I ever saw was similar to this, except a little smaller, made in Japan and by examining the characters on the back it dates back to the early 1900s or earlier.

The basic effect starts out by showing a wooden drawer box and sliding out the drawer which is seen to have a round circle cut out in the center large enough for a coin. You place a coin into the opening and push it back into the box. When the drawer is pulled out again the coin has vanished. The same motions can be used to make a coin appear or to even switch one for another, like turning a Penny into a Quarter.

Manufactured in Japan. The overall size is around 5 x 2 inches and can hold a coin as large as a US Quarter (the opening is a little less than 1.25-inches). There are many modern plastic versions that are better quality but these are the collectibles. No instructions. Limited quantity.

NOTE: These are around a hundred years old and may have to be broken in to work smoothly. They are also hand drawn and hand painted, with no two that are identical.