Ancient Chinese Coins Act by JT Magic

The Great Coin Change Mystery

For more than nine centuries, The Great Coin Change Mystery has been regarded as one of the most representative routines in the tradition of classical Chinese magic.

Known in Chinese as “Da Bian Jin Qian”, the act combines precise choreography, rhythmic narration, and rich cultural symbolism into a unified performance. Every gesture follows a deliberate structure, and every line of presentation carries a sense of poetic rhythm.

Within the routine, the traditional ideas of Tai Chi, the Eight Trigrams, and the Five Elements are woven naturally into the flow of the performance. Coins transform, change color, and multiply as the performer guides the audience through a story of balance, transformation, and fortune.

For audiences, it is more than a sequence of magical effects-it is a small window into a much older performing tradition.

A Routine Once Seen in Imperial Courts
Historically, The Great Coin Change Mystery was not commonly performed in public marketplaces or street performances.
Instead, it appeared most often in private gatherings and imperial courts, where refined presentations and symbolic meaning were more deeply appreciated. Because of this, relatively few people had the opportunity to witness the routine in its complete form.
Among traditional conjurors, having seen this performance was once considered something special, and the routine gradually acquired a certain legendary reputation.

A Tradition Passed Through Lineage
Chinese classical conjuring, known as Gu Cai Xi Fa, was traditionally preserved through a master-apprentice lineage.
Unlike many Western magic traditions that were widely documented in books, much of Chinese conjuring was transmitted orally and through direct demonstration. Over generations, this method of transmission meant that certain techniques were interpreted differently from one lineage to another, and in some cases parts of the original methods gradually disappeared.
The name The Great Coin Change Mystery continued to be known among traditional performers, yet the complete structure of the routine was not always preserved in its original form.
Even today, many practitioners of traditional Chinese magic have heard of this legendary act, but relatively few have had the opportunity to learn it in a complete and coherent way.

Preserving and Refining the Routine
This project represents a careful effort to study, preserve, and reconstruct the authentic working structure of this historic act.
While respecting the traditional form of the routine, thoughtful refinements have been introduced to make the performance clearer in structure and more practical for modern performers, while maintaining the elegance and rhythm that define the original presentation.
For the first time, this historically guarded routine is being formally introduced to the international magic community in a structured and accessible form.

The Coins
The coins included in this set are based on the historical Chong Ning Tong Bao coins from the Song Dynasty.
Each coin is produced using traditional Chinese metalworking techniques, some of which are associated with craftsmanship recognized as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage.
The result is a set of coins that carries the visual and tactile presence of historical currency, while maintaining the precision required for professional performance.