Those who are aware of the Coin Modernization and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2008 know that it's a document that is meant to change to steel the mix of metals in pennies and nickels. The main thing behind the Act is that the US Mint would save a lot on coins production. The figures of coin production costs are impresive. Currently, metals that are applied in coin production show instability. The main metals that are used include copper, zinc and nickel.

For making penny and nickel coins, the mint spends 1.26 cents on a penny and 7.7 cents on a nickel coin. Besides, the Mint needs four cents to strike a dime, 10 cents for a quarter and 16 cents for one dollar coin.

Source: Dig4coins.Com