Regarding the drop in the beginning of the routine, I at least interpreted it like he had it in his mouth/head, and then dropped it down to ultimately show that his hands were empty. To me that part had no to very little magic value, and I don't think it was meant to have either. Simply taking advantage of the fact that the camera wasn't showing his head.
I think you're over-reading the move, and I don't blame you since I think we all do that at times. Seeing it with the magicians eyes, you search for its potential, seeing it with audiences eyes, well at least to me, there was nothing magical to it, but proofed that there was nothing in his hands, and he was really going to do a *one*-coin routine.
Don't get me wrong though! That guy is an amazing coin magician with a unique style, though his routines has always taken a big advantage of the camera. I would love to see him perform live, and I don't doubt that he'd be great.