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 Replies: 14 / Views: 6,047 |
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
I have found what I believe to be a cold war era spy coin. The front is missing but the back is intact. The method of opening is inside of the "O", the hole is about .015" in diameter. I haven't opened it yet but it sounds like there is something inside it. I found it while curb shopping, it was with a bunch of Vietnamese coins (1960's Dongs and Xu/Zu coins) and a passport from a military man with many stamps from countries surrounding the former Soviet Union. I have since tossed the passport while cleaning out my junk but now realize what the coin may be. Probably going to open it at work with a gage pin. Thought there may be some interest in this on this forum. Here are some pictures.   |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
Might be a spy coin. Could be a magician's trick coin, if there is a dime or cent inside.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
Maybe this guy was smuggling rubies from Thailand or Russian diamonds. In a time without microchips I can't think of what else he may have tried to hide in there. What's the depth of the chamber?
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New Member
 United States
6 Posts |
Sounds like something very small inside. The back looks copper in the pic but is brass, there are a few spots on it that appear as if the front (which is missing) was spot welded/brazed to it. When I open it Monday morning I will attach a picture of what I find to this thread. Might just be dirt in there but there is always hope to find something real interesting.
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
The chamber is about .060"-.075", just an estimate.
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
Looks like a dime may comfortably fit inside the chamber as far as diameter. Maybe it is just a trick coin...
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2805 Posts |
Quote:
In a time without microchips I can't think of what else he may have tried to hide in there. I think microfilm was being used in that era as a high-density information tool for spies (admittedly I only know this from bad movies). Have hope - from what you found it with, this could very well be a little piece of Cold War intrigue  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3079 Posts |
Most trick coins, would operate with out any outside equipment. There would be no advantage in a hidden compartment with a two part coin. magic needs to work fast and with out possible hang ups.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I had one of these coins as a kid....want to know the secret?  This is a "squirting nickel". You submerge the coin under water and depress the brass side until the bubbles stop coming out the hole. Then, you approach your target, say something like "hey, look at this weird nickel!"...and when they get their face over the coin, you press.  Edited by DVCollector
12/28/2013 1:48 pm
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
Good point about trick coins Circus, but now I feel as if I've been foiled again...
Did your squirting nickel have the hole in the same place? (inside the "O")
Going to open it Monday anyway, just in case.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
Did your squirting nickel have the hole in the same place? (inside the "O") Yep--it looked exactly like this one. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
Great, on to the next fantasy! Thanks for all the input, now I can put this to rest.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3079 Posts |
Yes the Adams company out of New Jersey made and sold them. IN magic circles it was consider a gag or novelty item and not a magic item. This is a magic coin trick.     Penny to dime trick with a shell coin and a magnet in the block. There was a company that modified US coins into all kinds of shells and two headed etc. |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 6,047 |
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Posted 12/27/2013 11:16 pm
