Scrap copper can be sold for a decent profit, but you have to strip the wire for decent dollars. There are different grades depending on whether the copper is bright, dull, or burnt. Here in N.O. there has been a problem with people breaking into newly renovated homes and stealing the copper out of air conditioning units to sell for scrap. It's gotten to the point that a friend of mine installs the air conditioners without the coils inside until the unit is ready for sale/rent. Crazy. He currently has 5 AC coils in his house waiting for the houses to be complete.