link to U.S. Mint 2011 Annual Report

Making money on small metallic parts is difficult due to variable and rising metal prices. But other costs to produce are also a factor.

In 2011, to make each penny it cost the U.S.Mint 2.4 cents. Each nickel cost 11.2 cents per coin to produce. And the U.S. Mint isn’t able to raise their prices…