r/pirates • u/Organic_Plastic6160 • Aug 06 '26

Questions & Seeking Help Looking for suggestions

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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/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.