Background: invitation to the inauguration of the Statue of Liberty, October 28, 1886.
PROVENANCE
From Parisian foundries to a 21st century mint.
Complete provenance record documenting the origin, removal, and preservation of original 1886 Statue of Liberty copper.
This coin is struck with the actual copper that once formed the infrastructure of the Statue of Liberty.
The Record at a Glance
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1875–1884
The copper is shaped at the Gaget, Gauthier & Co. workshop in Paris.
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1886
The Statue of Liberty debuts over New York Harbor, October 28.
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1984–1986
Federally authorized restoration; the original copper is removed, the only time in the statue's history.
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1986–2016
Slated for disposal, the removed metals are preserved and held in custody by Rick Stocks.
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2016
Stewardship passes to Carolyn Rafaelian; the collection finds a permanent home at Belcourt of Newport.
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2026
Struck with the original copper as individually numbered coins for America's 250th anniversary.
Before it became an artifact, this copper lived a life.
Each Real Liberty Copper™ coin is traceable to original 1886 Statue of Liberty copper removed during the monument’s 1984–1986 restoration, the only time the statue’s copper was ever removed. It has since been cataloged and conserved.
This page documents where that copper came from, who has kept it, and how it reaches each coin.
Provenance Summary
Original copper shaped in Paris, an integral part of the extensive infrastructure when the Statue of Liberty debuted in 1886, removed during the 1984–1986 restoration, preserved by Rick Stocks, and since conserved under archival conditions.
The Origin of the Copper
The copper joints, rivets, and sheets that would form the skin and fittings of the Statue of Liberty were shaped at the Gaget, Gauthier & Co. workshop in Paris between 1875 and 1884. The material was chosen for its durability and malleability, engineered to withstand maritime conditions while maintaining its structural integrity.
When the Statue of Liberty debuted overlooking New York Harbor in 1886, this copper formed her skin, fastened to the iron armature within.
The Only Time the Copper Was Removed
Between 1984 and 1986, the Statue of Liberty underwent a comprehensive, federally authorized restoration, necessitated by structural concerns about the iron skeleton and the state of the copper exterior after nearly a century of exposure to salt air and weather.
Restoration teams carefully removed original materials and replaced deteriorated infrastructure with more durable modern components. The removed metals were slated for disposal; Rick Stocks stepped in to preserve them.
Stocks took charge of many tons of these materials, including the bronze handrail from the staircase inside the statue’s pedestal and two dozen bronze lamps that once sat at its base. He maintained custody of what he knew to be a historical and cultural treasure, ensuring it was properly preserved and stored.
In the Press
Archival and present-day footage of the Statue of Liberty and the preserved collection.
Custodial Stewardship
Rick Stocks passed his stewardship to Carolyn Rafaelian in 2016. She and her dedicated team now ensure its preservation and the integrity of each documented piece, which has found a permanent home under the guardianship of Belcourt of Newport so the materials' legacy can be shared for generations to come.
Chain of Custody
Real Liberty Copper™ maintains complete chain-of-custody records that trace each artifact from its removal through current stewardship, with restoration logs and transfer records establishing unbroken provenance.
Documentation
Real Liberty Copper maintains archival-grade documentation detailing the copper's provenance, restoration-era origin, and custodial history, allowing future custodians to verify each artifact's origin and stewardship.
Authenticated Provenance
The record is documented. Own a piece of it.
Order Your Piece of History$250 · Individually serialized · Certificate of Title included
From Material to Artifact
Minting gives the preserved copper a permanent, documented form. Each coin is struck with the original 1886 copper, individually numbered, and recorded in the Historical Ledger, with a Certificate of Title accompanying every piece.
Each Real Liberty Copper™ coin is both a fragment of the monument and a complete artifact in its own right, carrying the material’s story forward to those who value national heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Real Liberty Copper™ coins are struck with original copper installed in 1886, removed during the federally authorized 1984–1986 restoration, the only time in history the statue's original copper was removed. Slated for disposal after the restoration, the material was preserved by Rick Stocks and has been cataloged and conserved ever since.
Each coin includes a Certificate of Title and is recorded in the Historical Ledger with its own unique serial number. The copper has remained in continuous custodial stewardship since the 1984–1986 restoration.
$250 for the Standard Coin, or $312 to choose your own serial number. Free shipping, and every order is covered by a 7-day money-back guarantee.
The original copper is preserved and stewarded in the United States, with vault custody at Belcourt of Newport, Rhode Island, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum.
No. Minting gives the preserved copper a permanent, documented form. Each coin is struck with the original 1886 copper and carries its own serial number and Certificate of Title, so the material's provenance stays intact and verifiable.
Own a Piece of Preserved History
Order Your Piece of History$250 • Secure checkout • 7-day money-back guarantee