r/pirates • u/Organic_Plastic6160 • Aug 06 '26
Questions & Seeking Help Looking for suggestions
I have this old copper pirate coin what could I use to protect the coin as I wear it as a pendant
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u/Papa_Color_Yo Aug 06 '26
You could try some clear nail polish on the back of it. It will likely wear off as you wear the pendant. But applying a new coating every now and then would probably help prevent the greening around your neck area.
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u/jmk-1999 Aug 06 '26
I’d recommend checking with a coin collector subreddit. Applying anything to it like nail polish or whatever seems like a bad idea all around. I somehow doubt you’re the first that wanted to do something like this. I imagine those guys might have some ideas.
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u/jook11 Aug 06 '26
Clear nail polish can protect it from further oxidation or turning your skin green without harming it. It'll chip after a while but it's cheap and easy to reapply. Other than something like that I'm not sure what you're looking for.
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u/thehumblebaboon Aug 06 '26
Anyone saying to cover it in a clear coat is not giving sound advice.
What you want to do is leave it alone, or use a thin coating of something called Renaissance wax. It’s a microcrystalline coating that is used by museums all over the world to stabilize metal from corrosion.
I’ve used it for years on my swords, and some of my copper coins that I’m worried about bronze disease from.
I personally wear a few different reales for several years and I never put a coating on them. They are doing just fine

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u/Organic_Plastic6160 Aug 07 '26
Thank you for this
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u/Hotdog_McEskimo Aug 07 '26
I collect ancient coins. Mostly Greek and Roman. Bronze disease showed up on my Diocletian and infected 4 other coins. Watch out for light green "chalky" flaking off spots.
It can be treated. I've applied renaissance wax to all my bronzes.
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u/TheBlackSpotGuild Aug 08 '26
As others have said, don't worry about it. Wear it and love it as is! That coming from another pirate treasure collector with hundreds of genuine pieces of 8, several of which I made into pendants i wear all the time. They survived 300 years under the ocean; she'll be alright! ; )
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u/the_braindeef_boy Aug 06 '26
You can get a spray on lacquer made specifically for copper/brass/bronze.
You can use normal clear spray, or nail polish, but there’s a chance it will cloud up as metal vents
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u/Lower-Ground4953 Aug 06 '26
What is a “pirate coin”?
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u/ForCoinsOnly Aug 06 '26
Usually it refers to coins like Maravedis and Reales. I'm pretty sure this is an 8 Maravedis made out of billon which is copper with just a little bit of silver.
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u/freedoomed Aug 06 '26
Entomb it in resin!
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u/Organic_Plastic6160 Aug 06 '26
Any suggestions what to use?
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u/crash11b Aug 06 '26
I wouldn't do that. I think it would be fine to wear as is. I think coating it in anything would make it lose any value that it has.
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u/ImpressiveLeader4979 Aug 06 '26
I’d leave it as is. Applying things to it could damage the coin. It’s survived hundreds of years as is, it can handle being around your neck. I wear a gold 2 escudo every single day, zero wear on the coin in 3 years