Sea of Thieves centers on thrilling escapades and quests for treasure. Ancient Coins is one of the most sought-after in-game currencies, which can unlock exclusively available cosmetics, pets, emotes, and even the seasonal Plunder Pass. While gold and reputation can be easily obtained by sailing and plundering, Ancient Coins require real-life strategy to earn, making them a rarity.
Ancient Coins and rare items can easily be obtained with a third-party Sea of Thieves boost service; however, you must ensure you use a trustworthy platform. In this guide, you will learn about the steps needed to earn Ancient Coins without the risk of getting banned.
1. Hunt Ancient Skeletons
What Are Ancient Skeletons?
Ancient Skeletons are rare, golden undead creatures spawn randomly across the Sea of Thieves. Defeating one rewards 100–800 Ancient Coins, making them the only free, renewable source of Ancient Coins in the game.
How to Find Them:
- Spawn Locations: They appear on islands, outposts, and even aboard your ship. Listen for their signature jingling sound.
- Timing: They’re more likely to spawn during quieter moments ( while fishing, cooking, or exploring).
- Rarity: Encounters are infrequent, with some players reporting one skeleton every 10–20 hours of gameplay.
2. Purchase Ancient Coins via the Pirate Emporium
The Pirate Emporium (accessible via the main menu) lets you buy Ancient Coins with real money. While not free, this is the fastest way to secure coins for limited-time cosmetics or the Plunder Pass.
When to Buy:
- For discounted bundles during seasonal sales (Black Friday, anniversary events).
- If you’re eyeing a time-limited item ( holiday-themed pets or ship sets).
3. Complete Seasonal Renown Tiers
Each season, Rare releases a free and premium Plunder Pass. The free track rewards players with small amounts of Ancient Coins (usually 150–250) to complete Renown tiers.
How to Maximize Renown:
- Focus on daily and weekly Deeds (“Sink 3 skeleton ships” or “Cook 10 trophy fish”).
- Participate in seasonal events like The Hunters’ Calling or Fortune’s Favor for bonus Renown.
Note: The premium Plunder Pass (costing 999 Ancient Coins) offers more coins as rewards, effectively paying for itself if you complete all tiers.
4. Redeem Microsoft Rewards Points
Microsoft Rewards members can exchange points for Sea of Thieves gift cards or Xbox credit, which can then fund Ancient Coin purchases.
Steps:
- Earn points via Bing searches, Game Pass quests, or Xbox purchases.
- Redeem points for Xbox/Microsoft gift cards.
- Use the credit to buy Ancient Coins in the Pirate Emporium.
5. Participate in Twitch Drops & Community Events
Rare frequently collaborates with Twitch for limited-time Drops. You can earn Ancient Coins, cosmetics, and even the Plunder Pass by watching partnered streamers.
How to Claim:
- Link your Twitch account to your Microsoft account.
- Watch streams with “Drops Enabled” tags for the required duration.
- Claim rewards via Twitch’s Inventory or Sea of Thieves’ “Promotions” menu.
Recent Examples:
- 2023’s Legends Week awarded 200 Ancient Coins for 2 hours of viewership.
- Partnered streamers like HitboTC and PhuzzyBond often host coin-giveaway events.
6. Trade in Your Duplicate Cosmetics
While not a direct method, Rare occasionally runs promotions where players can trade duplicate or unwanted cosmetics (from previous Plunder Passes) for Ancient Coins.
How It Works:
- Navigate to the Pirate Emporium’s “My Items” section.
- Select duplicates (pet outfits, weapon skins).
- Exchange them for small amounts of Ancient Coins (typically 10–50 per item).
Note: This feature isn’t always active, so check the official Sea of Thieves news feed for updates.
7. Earn Through the Refer-a-Friend Program
Rare’s Refer-a-Friend program rewards veteran pirates with Ancient Coins to recruit new players.
Steps:
- Generate a referral link via the official Sea of Thieves website.
- Share it with friends who haven’t played before.
- Earn 200 Ancient Coins once they reach Pirate Legend status.
Bonus: Both you and your friend unlock exclusive cosmetics like the Sailor’s Grave Cutlass.
8. Stay Alert for Giveaways & Promotions
Rare often gifts Ancient Coins during milestones (30 million players) or community celebrations.
Where to Look:
- Social Media: Follow @SeaOfThieves on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
- Newsletter: Subscribe to the official newsletter for promo codes.
- In-Game Notifications: Check the “Events” tab in the main menu.
9. Invest in the Plunder Pass
While the Plunder Pass costs 999 Ancient Coins, completing its 100 tiers rewards you with 1,500+ Ancient Coins, making it a net profit if you play regularly.
Tips for Success:
- Grind Renown early in the season to unlock coin rewards faster.
- Pair the Plunder Pass with seasonal events for bonus progress.
Sea of Thieves Tips & Tricks
- Optimize Sailing Speed: Angle sails perpendicular to the wind (full billow) for maximum speed. In headwinds, angle sails forward.
- Anchor Turn: Drop the anchor during sharp turns, then raise sails and re-anchor quickly to pivot without drifting.
- Check the Map Often: Monitor for Reaper’s Bones emissaries (marked by ship icons) and avoid volcanic/island hazards.
- Cannon Aiming: Lead targets by aiming slightly ahead of moving ships. Aim for enemy decks to disrupt the crew or lower decks to flood their hull.
- Use Special Cannonballs: Fire Blunderbombs to knock foes off cannons, Chainshots to drop masts, and Firebombs to create chaos.
- Repair Strategically: Prioritize patching holes over bailing, assign one crewmate to bail while others repair.
- Store Loot Below Deck: Keep treasure in the lower deck to prevent enemies from sniping it.
- Watch the Horizon: Scan for ships every 1–2 minutes. Park your boat facing the open sea for quick escapes.
- Form Alliances Cautiously: Use the Alliance system for shared rewards, but avoid betrayal.
- Gather Supplies Early: Stockpile 100+ planks/cannonballs and 50+ food at outposts. Loot barrels on islands for extras.
- Cook Food: Grill meat/fish for 30 seconds (until golden) to maximize health benefits. Bananas heal 50%, cooked Meg meat 100%.
- Harpoon Mastery: Use harpoons to snag loot, pivot sharply around rocks, or reel in explosive barrels for combat.
Conclusion
Ancient Coins are the golden key to unlocking Sea of Thieves’ most coveted cosmetics and quality-of-life upgrades. With patience and a keen eye for opportunities, from battling Ancient Skeletons to completing seasonal milestones, it’s time to embrace the pirate life and fill your coffers with sterling currency.
