Ziplocked vs False Messiah Vanish: Coin Vanish Comparison
By Making Magicians Since 2001 | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: Comparisons
Two budget-friendly coin vanishes, different strengths. Compare spectator involvement, hand-clearing, and which fits your style.
Quick Answer
Choose Ziplocked if you want the spectator to hold the bag and experience the magic firsthand; choose False Messiah Vanish if you prefer a classic vanish where both hands are shown clean immediately.
Spectator Involvement: The Key Difference
The biggest difference between these two coin vanishes is who holds the key prop. Ziplocked is designed so your spectator can hold the bag during the penetration, which doubles the reaction because they feel the magic happen in their own hands. False Messiah Vanish, on the other hand, is a more traditional vanish where the coin disappears from your hands, and the focus is on your clean hands rather than spectator participation.
Hand-Clearing and Presentation Style
False Messiah Vanish is an homage to Jay Sankey's 'Messiah Vanish' but includes a twist that lets you show both hands completely clean after the coin vanishes. This makes it ideal for a quick, visual vanish that leaves nothing to suspicion. Ziplocked offers a different kind of magic: the coin visibly penetrates into a bag, and you can even throw a signed coin through thin air into the bag. That's a very different presentation—more about penetration than a pure vanish.
Trade-Offs at a Glance
- Spectator Handling: Ziplocked lets the spectator hold the bag, increasing engagement. False Messiah Vanish keeps all handling with you. If you want audience participation, Ziplocked is the clear choice.
- Hand-Clearing: False Messiah Vanish shows both hands clean immediately after the vanish. Ziplocked does not end with empty hands—the coin ends up in the bag. If you need clean hands for a follow-up, False Messiah Vanish is better.
- Effect Type: False Messiah Vanish is a pure vanish. Ziplocked is a penetration effect where the coin ends up inside a bag. Choose based on whether you want a vanish or a penetration.
- Price: Both are budget-friendly: False Messiah Vanish is $4.50 and Ziplocked is $4.44, both with a comparison price of $6.25. Price is not a deciding factor; both are excellent value.
Product Facts
- False Messiah Vanish: The False Messiah Vanish is a homage to Jay Sankey's 'Messiah Vanish' with a twist that allows the hands to be shown clean after the coin vanishes. This means you can end with completely empty hands, making the vanish more convincing and easy to follow up with another effect.
False Messiah Vanish - Ziplocked: Ziplocked lets your spectator hold the bag during the penetration, and includes a version where you can throw the object or signed coin through thin air into the bag. Spectator involvement increases engagement and makes the magic feel more personal, which is great for close-up performances.
Ziplocked
Which One Fits You?
Best For
- Performers who want to involve spectators directly in the magic
- Close-up magicians looking for a modern penetration effect with a signed coin
Not For
- Magicians who need a pure vanish with completely clean hands immediately after
