Copper Penny
HEX: #AD6F69 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#AD6F69
173, 111, 105
5°, 39% ,67%
0, 35.84, 39.31, 32.16
About Copper Penny
Copper Penny (#AD6F69) is a color with RGB(173, 111, 105) and HSL(5.29°, 39.31%, 67.84%). It is commonly associated with Romantic moods. In design, it fits Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Logo, Print. Its complementary color is #69A7AD, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #69AD6F and #6F69AD. The name comes from Copper Penny (English).
- HEX: #AD6F69
- RGB: 173, 111, 105
- HSL: 5.29°, 39.31%, 67.84%
- Mood: Romantic
- Style: Warm
- Use case: Text, Logo, Print
- Complementary color: #69A7AD
- Triadic colors: #69AD6F, #6F69AD
- The name comes from Copper Penny (English).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #AD6F69 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The color 'Copper Penny' is directly inspired by the appearance of a newly minted or relatively clean copper one-cent coin (penny). Copper itself has been used for coinage for millennia, but the 'penny' as a unit of currency has a long history in various forms. The specific reddish-brown hue is characteristic of elemental copper when exposed to air, before significant oxidation (patination) turns it green or darker brown. The color name evokes a sense of warmth, metallic luster, and a touch of nostalgia for a common, tangible object.
First Recorded Use
The term 'copper penny' as a descriptor for a specific reddish-brown color likely emerged in common parlance as copper coinage became widespread and familiar. While copper coins existed much earlier, the specific phrase 'copper penny' to denote a color is harder to pinpoint precisely but aligns with the period when such coins were a common, everyday object for the general populace. The first official copper pennies in Great Britain were minted in 1797.
Cultural Associations
The 'penny' holds significant cultural weight in English-speaking countries, often associated with small value, good luck ('find a penny, pick it up...'), and everyday transactions. The color 'Copper Penny' therefore carries subtle connotations of familiarity, earthiness, and a certain humble charm. It's a popular color in fashion, interior design, and cosmetics for its warm, inviting, and slightly metallic quality. It can evoke autumn, rustic aesthetics, or vintage styles.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #AD6F69;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #AD6F69;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #AD6F69;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#AD6F69,
#8DC8CD
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#AD6F69,
#8DC8CD
);
}// SCSS variable
$copper-penny: #AD6F69;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$copper-penny-r: 173;
$copper-penny-g: 111;
$copper-penny-b: 105;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $copper-penny;
color: rgba($copper-penny-r, $copper-penny-g, $copper-penny-b, 0.8);
}