Windrose Currency Guide: How to Stop Being a Broke Pirate
A chest full of gold is completely useless if you try to hand it to the wrong vendor.
The economy in Windrose is heavily fragmented, and the game does a terrible job of explaining what has actual purchasing power. You will inevitably stumble back to your base with a chaotic mix of coins, ingots, and contraband, fully expecting to buy a brand new galleon. Instead, you will find out that the shipwright does not want your silver and the black market trader has zero interest in your gold.
You have actual cash used for shopping, and then you have shiny metals that look like money but are strictly crafting components. I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to barter with the wrong items. This guide breaks down exactly what each currency does, where to find it, and what you should absolutely never sell. If you are still trying to figure out how to even find the merchants to spend this money, check out my faction trader locations guide.
The Merchant Cash
You are going to be carrying a lot of heavy coins. Knowing the difference between the standard economy and the premium economy will save you hours of pointless grinding.
Piastres
Piastres are the absolute backbone of the Windrose economy. This is your standard, everyday spending money. When you are dealing with merchants, especially the ones populating the central market hub in Tortuga, Piastres are what they demand.
You earn this currency by engaging with the world. Completing side quests, selling your looted contraband, and turning in faction items are your primary income streams. The most reliable way to generate a steady supply of Piastres is by grinding your standing with the local factions, as it unlocks better trade agreements. If you are confused about how to actually get those factions to like you, read my reputation farming guide.
Guineas
If Piastres are your walking around money, Guineas are your premium offshore bank account. You are not going to find Guineas just by mugging random, low level pirates on the beach.
This is a strictly reward based currency. You have to hunt down buried treasure and complete major, high stakes world quests to earn them. They function similarly to Piastres at the vendor stalls, but traders demand Guineas for the most valuable items in the game. You need this specific coin to buy luxury architectural plans, advanced ship cosmetics, and the late game Frigate blueprints.
The Crafting Metals
In most pirate games, gold and silver are just shiny trinkets you sell for raw cash. In Windrose, treating these metals as trade currency is a massive, unforgivable mistake.
Silver and Gold Ingots
Silver and Gold Ingots are actually high end crafting materials. You do not spend them directly at the provisioners.
You will naturally loot Silver Ingots from deep dungeon chests or by taking down formidable enemies. If you are completely desperate and need silver immediately, you can technically buy them from the Tortuga trader for 20 Piastres a piece. You take this silver back to your base and use it at the Jewellery Table to craft rings and trinkets that provide massive skill boosts to your character.
Gold Ingots function the exact same way but are tied to much harder progression zones. You will only pull gold from high level treasure chests and elite enemy encounters. You need a stockpile of gold to craft the highest tier amulets in the game. Do not sell your gold to a random vendor for pocket change. If you want to know more about outfitting your character with the best possible combat gear, take a look at my weapons and armor crafting guide.
