The article analyzes the amount of copper-in-stock as a part of finished articles in the US economy from 1900 to 2017. In addition, an assessment of the external trade of copper as a part of finished articles is conducted. All of that allows collecting a non-biased assessment of copper-in-stock in the US economy. The results obtained demonstrate an increase in specific (per capita) copper-in-stock in the US economy and an assessment of potential copper resources in terms of the circular economy. The authors conclude that an analysis of copper consumption should be accompanied by an analysis of copper as a part of finished articles movement in the external trade during the global value chain spread. That strategy will provide a more non-biased assessment of copper-in-stock in the economy in order to determine its recycling potential.