needle through coin
A sewing needle can be hammered into a coin so that its tip
goes through the coin. Place the tip of the needle at the
center of the circular end of a cork. Aim the needle through
the cork's center and hammer it so the tip just emerges at
the opposite end. The needle should not be too thin and most
of its length should be within the cork. Place the coin on a
magazine or soft wood block which in turn is on a very solid
flat level surface. The tip of the needle is placed at the
center of the coin and the needle struck with a hammer. Wear
safety goggles in case the needle shatters and a glove for
the hand holding the cork.
This works because the force of the hammer is applied to
a very small area of the coin. The molecules within that
area of the coin being so few have a combined resistance
insufficient to stop the needle. Because hard steel is used
in making needles and because of the shape of the needle,
it is the metal of the coin that gives way.