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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.

Details

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

Condition Disclosure for Rare & Vintage Collectible Magic Apparatus

PHOTOS

Please review all listing photos carefully, as they are an important part of the item description. The photos are intended to show the overall visual condition of the apparatus, including possible imperfections, paint quality, decals if applicable, shelf wear, performance wear, and age-related characteristics.

LABELS

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OLD VERSUS NEW

Items listed under Rare & Vintage Collectible Magic may range from 10 to 100 years old or more. These are not new magic props. They may show signs of age, handling, storage, repairs, fragility, paint loss, decal wear, or prior performance use.

If your intent is to perform with the item, please understand that some vintage apparatus may require careful handling, adjustment, and practice. This disclosure is provided to help ensure buyers understand they are purchasing a vintage collectible magic item with age, history, and character—not a newly manufactured prop.