Collecting Bare Bright Copper Scrap: Why AWG Wire Is the Most Valuable
If you’ve ever dabbled in metal recycling or looked into the copper market, you’ve probably heard of bare bright copper wire. In the world of scrap, it’s often called the “king of copper” — the cleanest, purest, and most valuable form of copper scrap you can collect. For scrappers, resellers, and even investors, learning how to identify, collect, and sell bare bright copper can turn into a profitable hobby or even a side business.
In this article, we’ll break down what bare bright copper is, why it’s valuable, how to collect it efficiently, and why Liberty Copper makes it easy to buy in bulk with 40 lb boxes of pure AWG bright wire.
What Exactly Is Bare Bright Copper Wire?
Bare bright copper wire is stripped AWG copper that’s shiny, untarnished, and 99%+ pure. It has:
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No insulation
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No coatings
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No tarnish or oxidation
That means it’s all copper, all value. Because it doesn’t require the extra processing that insulated or dirty copper needs, bare bright is the highest-paying category of copper scrap at scrap yards, often bringing in a price just below newly refined copper.
Why Is Bare Bright So Valuable?
There are several reasons bare bright copper wire consistently fetches top dollar:
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Purity (99%+ Copper) – Scrap buyers don’t need to worry about removing insulation, coatings, or contaminants.
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High Conductivity – Pure copper wire is unmatched in electrical conductivity, making it ideal for recycling into new wire and electrical components.
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Ease of Recycling – Because it’s already stripped and clean, it goes straight back into production with minimal processing.
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Strong Demand – Copper is essential in construction, electronics, renewable energy, and EVs. Pure forms are always in demand.
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Durability – Unlike other metals, pure copper can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality.
Simply put, bare bright is the gold standard of copper scrap — but unlike gold, it’s still affordable and accessible for most collectors and hobbyists.
How to Collect Bare Bright Copper
Whether you’re a hobby scrapper or running a resale operation, collecting bare bright copper takes a little work but pays off big:
1. Strip Your Wire Properly
Only clean, shiny wire counts as bare bright. Insulated wire or oxidized, dull copper will drop to lower scrap categories. Use a wire stripper or knife to carefully remove insulation without nicking the wire.
2. Keep It Shiny
If copper sits too long exposed to air, it can tarnish. Tarnished wire often gets downgraded to #1 or #2 copper. Store bare bright in a dry place to keep it shiny and untarnished.
3. Separate It From Other Scrap
Never mix bare bright with insulated or dirty wire. Buyers pay more for clean, sorted copper. Mixing lowers the grade and your payout.
4. Sell in Bulk
Copper is sold by weight, so the more you bring in, the more leverage you have at the scrap yard. Even 10–20 lbs can make a difference, but collectors who move 40 lbs or more at a time usually see stronger returns.
5. Watch the Market
Copper prices fluctuate daily. Keep an eye on the commodity market — selling at the right time can make a big difference in your payout.
Liberty Copper: Selling 40 lb Boxes of Bare Bright
If you don’t want to strip wire yourself or are looking to buy pure copper in bulk, that’s where Liberty Copper comes in.
We specialize in 40 lb boxes of bare bright AWG copper wire — the cleanest, purest copper scrap available. Every box contains shiny, stripped copper wire (99%+ pure), ready for resale, recycling, crafting, or stacking as a tangible investment.
Why Buy From Liberty Copper?
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📦 Pre-stripped & clean – no extra work required
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⚡ 99%+ pure copper – qualifies as bare bright
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💰 Bargain lots – bulk pricing on high-value metal
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🔨 Versatile uses – resale, melting, investment, or creative projects
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🚚 Fast, secure shipping – delivered in sturdy USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes
Instead of spending hours stripping wire to reach the bare bright category, you can buy direct and secure 40 lbs of ready-to-sell copper at once.
The Benefits of Bare Bright Copper for Collectors & Investors
Bare bright isn’t just for scrappers. More and more investors and collectors are adding copper to their portfolios. Here’s why:
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Diversification – A hedge against inflation and rising commodity prices.
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Industrial Demand – With global demand in EVs, renewable energy, and construction, copper’s role is only growing.
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Accessibility – Unlike silver or gold, copper is affordable enough for anyone to start stacking.
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Resale Value – Pure bare bright copper wire always has a market.
Whether you’re looking to turn a profit reselling scrap, recycle responsibly, or stack physical copper as a tangible asset, bare bright copper offers unique advantages.
Final Thoughts
Collecting bare bright copper wire is one of the smartest ways to get into the scrap and metals market. It’s pure, clean, valuable, and always in demand. For those who want to skip the stripping and get straight to stacking, Liberty Copper’s 40 lb boxes of bare bright AWG wire make it easy to add high-value copper to your collection, shop, or investment strategy.
👉 Check out our Copper Scrap Collection to order your 40 lb box today.
