How to Knuckle-Roll a Coin Like Doc Holliday

 by pdub77
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doc_holliday.jpg
If anyone who is still breathing has not seen the movie Tombstone this may come as a surprise, but you can, indeed, roll a coin down the knuckles of your hand. It's very simple to learn, but takes a bit of patience and practice.  This instructable will teach you how to do it.



Okay, so I really don't know if the real Doc Holliday ever actually rolled a coin across his knuckles while playing high-stakes poker, but it could have happened, right?  Frankly, who cares?  Val Kilmer did it while portraying Mr. Holliday in the movie and it has been cool ever since.  It may have been cool before, but things only get cooler after a movie star portraying a quick-drawing, intelligent, articulate, irreverent, hard-drinking, heavy gambling, and yet very sick gun fighter does it on the silver screen. 

This is not a terribly easy thing to describe in the written word alone so I have included a brief video of me performing the feat somewhat poorly, though passably.  But don't forget the Tombstone video either, as Val does a great job!  I apologize in advance for my ineptitude.  In my defense, however, I used to do this much better, but simply fell out of practice.  So now I can't do it well.  Add that to a growing list of things I used to be able to do and let's start!

(And yes, I know I need lotion.  It's cold in Indiana right now.)
 
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Step 1: Choosing a Coin

Silver dollar front.jpg
coin and hand.jpg
The first step is choosing a coin.  The coin size is important, as you will find out.  Too big or too small of a coin will not roll the correct way over your knuckles.  This is going to be an individual decision as we don't all have the same size fingers.  I find that an American half dollar works for me.  You may need something a little smaller or a little larger.  Experiment.  If you can't find something in your own nation's currency you can always try something from a different country.  Coin value makes no difference as people will be mesmerized more by your technique than the fact that you are in possession of a Golden dollar or whatever else you may procure (unless you are spending time with numismatics).
thatgirlwiththehair says: Apr 11, 2013. 3:05 PM
I can do it, but VERY slowly. I'm getting better, though!
silverassassin2 says: Jul 2, 2011. 10:56 AM
i now someone who can do it with both hands, at the same time
thatgirlwiththehair in reply to silverassassin2Apr 11, 2013. 3:03 PM
Wow! that's amazing
thatgirlwiththehair says: Apr 11, 2013. 3:00 PM
This was helpful and awesome Thanks a lot.
PS: I reccomend Burt's Bees lotion.
haarpy says: Mar 20, 2013. 2:26 PM
i have sort of big hands for a chick but the gold dollar works well for me. thanks!
Javin007 says: Jan 8, 2012. 2:54 PM
I used to be able to do this, but then I took an arrow to the knee.
anutt says: Sep 4, 2011. 1:21 PM
I think my reflexes have gotten better since trying this, as I'm using them constantly, trying to catch the coin haha.
popcorn4lunch says: Aug 26, 2011. 7:24 PM
its very complicated with a quarter
jugglingninja33 says: Jul 30, 2011. 9:26 PM
This is a pretty cool trick! Also, you're very good at it. And my hands get dry in the winter too, much worse than yours. Anyways, cool 'ible!
undeadscourge says: Jun 22, 2011. 9:22 PM
I knew how to do this before the instructable, but this shows me another technique and now I can do it faster!
08motooley says: Jun 17, 2011. 8:28 AM
£5 coin works well for me
builderkidj says: May 27, 2011. 4:06 PM
Ps:I'm using this:
18230113-8e10-4627-98ad-10a685ec2f3e.jpg
builderkidj says: May 27, 2011. 4:02 PM
Man Jack sparrow is really good at this I mean its like he can do it 120 times in a minute but I can do the roll but not the pinky thing.
ilpug says: May 18, 2011. 7:55 PM
Ive got a ton of silver dollars and like coins... i definetely want to do this.
silverassassin2 says: May 15, 2011. 12:17 PM
sweet instructable dude! i have always wanted to learn how to do that. 
justin.jackson says: May 5, 2011. 9:39 PM
huh. i used to be able to (kinda) do this. (also inspired by tombstone) just never could quite figure out why i couldn't quite get it. now i know... coin size! thank you
pdub77 (author) in reply to justin.jacksonMay 7, 2011. 4:02 PM
Glad this helped you out! It takes a LOT of practice to get good at this. I wish you well.
sandman0o0 says: May 6, 2011. 8:56 AM
Must be Val Kilmer's thing... he did this in Top Gun, Real Genius, and several other movies as well.
pdub77 (author) in reply to sandman0o0May 7, 2011. 4:00 PM
In Top Gun wasn't he flipping around a pen?
The Tinkerer says: May 7, 2011. 1:28 PM
Nice instructable! I've always wanted to know how to do this trick.
Thanks!
pdub77 (author) in reply to The TinkererMay 7, 2011. 4:00 PM
Thank you, and you're very welcome. I've been wanting to make this for quite some time. Finally got around to it.
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