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“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” was, and still is, one of my favorite films from the early 2000s. The swashbuckling adventure, the unforgettable characters, and the eerie supernatural twist made it an instant classic. So, of course, I had to get my hands on a piece of cursed Aztec gold for myself! But upon closer inspection, I found myself asking—what’s with the back of this thing? Do we even see this design in the film?
A Nostalgic Look Back at the Film
I still remember sitting in the theater and watching the first teaser for “Curse of the Black Pearl.” It must have been late 2001, and we were probably there to see “The Fellowship of the Ring.” The teaser showed a chilling scene from the end of the film—the skeletal pirates walking underwater beneath the ships—before cutting to the famous skull and crossbones. It was short but thrilling, and it left me both excited and a little confused. The only pirates I knew at the time were from the Disneyland ride, so I had no idea what to expect.
Now, I have to admit something a bit controversial: for me, “Curse of the Black Pearl” is the only true Pirates of the Caribbean film. It’s kind of like how Adam Savage says that “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is the only true Indiana Jones film. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the sequels, but as the series went on, the increasing reliance on CGI took me out of the story. And after the third film, the writing just wasn’t as strong. But enough about the films—let’s talk about this incredible replica I managed to get my hands on.
The Hero Aztec Gold Coin
I bought this 24-karat gold-plated replica about 15 years ago. It was produced by Master Replicas, a company that, unfortunately, went out of business in 2013. They later resurfaced as Master Replicas Group, but now they only produce space and aeronautics-themed collectibles.
The coin is an absolutely stunning piece, but the back of it is what really caught my attention. Unlike the highly detailed front with the iconic skull design, the back features a much simpler Aztec-inspired engraving. At first glance, it almost seems like an afterthought. When I first got it, I couldn’t remember ever seeing this design in the movie—so I went back to investigate.
Do We See This in the Film?
After rewatching “Curse of the Black Pearl” closely, I finally found the answer. Yes! The back of the coin appears very briefly in the opening scene. If you blink, you’ll miss it, and there are maybe three other moments in the entire film where you can catch a glimpse of it if you freeze-frame at the right time.
Through some additional research, I discovered that this particular design is from the hero coin—the one used in close-up shots. The coins seen later in the film, such as when they’re falling into the treasure chest, are actually stunt coins. These stunt coins have the skull pattern on both sides, likely to ensure visual consistency. The decision to have two different versions of the coin remains a mystery, but it’s clear they didn’t want audiences to focus on the back design.
Comparing the Replica to the Film Prop
When comparing this replica to the film version, the details hold up incredibly well. The skull design is nearly identical to the hero prop, though some of the finer lines may have been softened due to the gold plating. The skull’s divot and earrings are present, though slightly less pronounced. Overall, it’s one of the most faithful reproductions available.
Where to Find One Today
When Master Replicas was still around, you could buy the coin in multiple formats: as a standalone piece, with the necklace like the one Elizabeth Swann wears in the film, or as a set that included both the hero and stunt versions of the coin.
Since these replicas are no longer in production, they’ve become somewhat rare. Occasionally, you can find them on eBay (check here: eBay listing) or Amazon, and sometimes they pop up on the Replica Prop Forum (RPF). If you’re hunting for one, make sure to look for the Master Replicas version, preferably still in its original box. There are a number of knockoff versions floating around, and while they might look similar at a glance, they don’t match the quality of the original.
Final Thoughts
I’ve owned this coin for a decade now, and the gold plating has held up beautifully. It’s a fantastic piece for any “Pirates of the Caribbean” fan or prop collector. If you manage to track one down, I highly recommend adding it to your collection!
What do you think about this coin? Do you have any cool movie prop replicas? Let me know in the comments! And if you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my next project: recreating the bio-exorcist Betelgeuse flyer from “Beetlejuice”—it’s going to be a fun one!