Copenetro by Bob Kline

The Copenetro is a classic magic trick, popularized by Bob Kline.

With Copenetro, four coins vanish one by one from a display stand and visibly and audibly reappear inside a small glass that is covered by a larger, inverted glass. The effect is achieved using a self-contained, mechanical apparatus, requiring no sleight of hand.

The Effect

The core illusion of the Copenetro trick is the apparent penetration of coins through solid glass:

Setup: A small glass is placed on a wooden base and covered by a large, inverted glass. Four coins (typically half dollars) are displayed on a separate stand.
Performance:
- The magician takes one coin at a time from the stand. The first one or two coins are often vanished while the glasses are covered with a handkerchief, with the audience hearing the “clink” as each coin lands inside the small glass.
- For the last coins, the handkerchief is removed, and the coins are seen to visibly pass through the inverted outer glass and drop into the inner glass.
Conclusion: The final result is that all four coins end up inside the seemingly sealed inner glass.

Key Features

No Sleight of Hand: The specialized apparatus does all the work, making the effect seem truly miraculous.
Auditory and Visual: The sound of the coins dropping provides a powerful auditory confirmation of their arrival, enhancing the illusion.
Collectible Quality: The original Bob Kline versions were known for their quality craftsmanship, often featuring beautifully finished walnut bases and collector-quality apparatus.

History

The effect was originally invented by British magician Jack Hughes in 1937 under the name “Coins in Glass” or “Visible Coins in Glass”. Bob Kline later marketed his version as “Copenetro” in the United States in 1947, which led to some controversy over credit at the time. Kline’s version won a Linking Ring Merit Award and a Genii Award in 1947.

Condition

Tested and in working collectible condition, shows minor age and performance wear. No instructions, please be familiar with the workings of this prop.

Steven Warburton

A former practicing magician and escape artist, Steven Warburton has spent more than four decades as a dedicated magic collector. Leveraging a long-standing passion for web design and digital marketing, he has developed and managed numerous business and eCommerce websites. Professionally, Steven has built a 40-year career in the telecommunications and broadband industry, serving in executive leadership roles with leading Internet and broadband providers across the United States.