The Real Fate of Pirate Coins: Wasted on Expenses or Salvaged for Modern Electronics?
Pirates are often romanticized as buried treasure-seekers, ensconced in stories of hidden gold and coins. However, the reality is quite different. Unlike the silver and gold coins often hidden, the more common pirate loot - coins - were not stored but spent. This reality sheds light on the true story of pirate coins and their modern-day legacy.
Pirates Didn't Buried Treasure, They Sold It and Spent It
The interwebs are filled with people searching for hidden pirate treasure. But the reality is, pirates didn't bury their stolen plunder. Instead, they sold it and spent the proceeds where it mattered - on their daily needs and ship's expenses. Coins were a common form of payment and were used for various purchases, such as alcohol, women, and ship maintenance.
Ship Maintenance: The ship was a massive investment. Pirates needed to outfit and maintain their vessels to keep afloat and ready to plunder. This included provisions for the crew, equipment, and ammunition like gunpowder and cannonballs. Rum and Ale: The sailors had to be fueled, both literally and figuratively. The daily consumption of rum and ale was a significant expense. Women and Leisure: Pirates, like many seafarers, enjoyed the company of women and other forms of entertainment. Regular Payroll: Captain's pay and the regular payroll for the crew added up. Keeping sailors happy was a key to a successful pirate crew.Modern Electronics: A New Life for Pirate Coins
Interestingly, some of the pirate coins have found a new purpose in the world of modern electronics. Quora recently discussed a unique use for pirate coins, stating, 'apparently they were melted down and made into your circuits.' Who would have thought that portly pieces of history could be turned into the very circuits of our smartphones and computers?
The Chemical Composition of Pirate Coins
Considering the age of pirate coins, which date back centuries, many don't survive due to the corrosive effects of the salty ocean. The smaller denomination coins, like shillings and half-pence, were often lost in the sand and water, oxidized, and after hundreds of years, reduced to mere relics of times past. However, those that have survived intact provide a tangible link to the pirate era.
Surviving Smaller Coins
Smaller denomination coins often survive the corrosive ravages of time, although they are rare. Many of the small coins in modern collections come from treasure chests and are found in clusters, often in deeper water where the sand provided protection. Therefore, the smaller coins in circulation today are often in liminal states, reminding us of the tales of adventure and plunder of the past.
Conclusion
The allure of buried treasure remains a popular myth, but the real stories of pirates and their coins reflect the complexities of human nature and the practical challenges of survival. Whether it’s buried treasure remains or modern electronics, the appeal of pirate coins endures, immortalizing the era of swashbuckling adventures and maritime exploits.