For nearly a century and a half, the Statue of Liberty has stood as a proud beacon in New York Harbor, yet many are only now discovering the surprising original hue of this emblematic monument. Known worldwide not just as a key symbol of New York City but as one of the most recognized landmarks globally, the Statue of Liberty depicts the Roman goddess of liberty in stunning neoclassical fashion. This towering figure, stretching up to 151.1 feet, was a generous gift from France and was officially presented to the public by then-Governor of New York and future President, Grover Cleveland, on October 28, 1886.
Perched on Liberty Island, the statue is famed for its striking blue-green color which captures the gaze of countless visitors each year. However, few are aware that this iconic statue originally boasted a shiny copper color, a detail lost to many across the nation. The transformation to its current blue-green patina is the result of an intriguing chemical reaction, not widely known until two decades after the statue’s unveiling, when its copper surface began interacting with atmospheric oxygen. This process, initially forming a reddish mineral known as cuprite, gradually led to the creation of black tenorite before environmental factors like moisture and sea spray added the final greenish-blue touch.
Despite undergoing three major restorations, the Statue’s original copper luster has never been revived, sparking a bit of controversy and nostalgia.
Blogger Scott Alexander has expressed a striking view on this, stating on his blog Astral Codex Ten, “The Statue of Liberty is made of copper, and was originally a shiny orange-gold color. Over the years, it has tarnished to its current faded-green. This is a little too on the nose as a metaphor for American society. As part of a general agenda of restoring liberty nationwide, I would order the Statue of Liberty cleaned until it is back to its original shining-gold state, and restored yearly thereafter.”
Opinions on social media about the statue’s color shift are mixed. One user on X previously remarked, “The Statue of Liberty is made of copper, but due to oxidation, it turns into green.” Meanwhile, a Facebook commentator argued, “At this point, the green IS her color. Take the money they’d use for that project and put it into something that actually matters.” Curiosity also abounds, with another adding, “I always wonder what it looked like when it was part way through the oxidation process. I bet there was a period of time it looked awful and possibly terrifying before it turned completely green.” And yet another confessed, “I thought the current green color was its original color lmao.”
As discussions continue, the Statue of Liberty remains a symbol of freedom and inspiration, regardless of its ever-evolving exterior. Whether copper or green, it continues to be a focal point of historical and cultural significance in the United States.