Conradi-Horster Token c. 1910

A goddess figure with bat wings and a wand drops coins into a top hat, “Horsters Zauberthaler” around.

extremely rare German Magic Coin produced by the famous German Illusionist Wilhelm Conrad (Conradi) Horster (1870-1944). Horster was one of the most famous German perfomers of illusions ever with more then 6000 full evening presentations, including the German emperor. He was the author of many new tricks for which he also designed the props, which he later sold in his various shops. He authored over 50 publications about magical tricks, presided the German association of friends of Magicians and consulted many contemporary Magicians and Illusionists. In 1896 he became the founder of the first factory on the continent that was specialist in the production of props and equipment for Illusionists “Horster und Kluge” By 1900 he had moved his production to Nürenberg where he directed a factory until 1903. The coin on offer carries the mention of “Nuernberg” so supposedly it stems from this factory. The coin (which is virtually identical on the reverse and obverse side), depicts “Maja the Goddes of Magic” (this design was used lateron in the US by August Roterberg in the early 1920ies. Maja (which was also the name carried by the association Horster founded in the 1920ies) is the name of an Indian Goddess who stands for Illusion and makebelieve. The coin has a diameter of approx 32mm and a weight of approximately 13gr. The material appears as a white/siver coloured metal and is probably composed of nickelplated zinc. It appears in good used condition presenting some surface wear, so it may well have been used by the man himself and been given away as a souvernir after a perfomance.