[stylin19a]

Since 2006, it has cost more than face value to produce the cent and nickel due to the increased costs of base metals. The current composition of the cent is 2.5% copper and 97.5% zinc. The current composition of the nickel is 75% copper and 25% nickel.

the real downside is, the taxpayers are paying more for minting pennies & nickels than what they are worth.

[Freedom4US]

Not just minting - factor in transportation costs from various mints to all the branch banks, and then onto stores and businesses. They end up languishing in jars and coffee cans or under the couch.