Here is an old magic trick using a pill box. The instructions were originally published in 1903, but the trick is still relevant to today’s magic trick kids kids can buy. Of course, this can be modified to use some other tube container other than a pill box.
The Magic Pill Box
Take a small, round pill box and a coin that exactly fits into it. Cover one side of the coil with paper of exactly the color of the inside of the box.
Now show the coin to the audience, being careful to show them only the face that is not covered.
Now drop it into the box with the covered face up. Put the lid on the box and talk mysteriously; then open the box and show the audience that the coin has disappeared.
Put the lid on the box again, make a few passes, open the box and let the coin fall out into your hand, with its uncovered face up.
When you show it to the audience they will be mystified.
Source: Kansas agitator. (Garnett, Kan.), 20 March 1903.
The following pill box magic trick was published in 1902:
Source: The San Francisco call. (San Francisco [Calif.]), 15 June 1902.
