The U.S. government spends about 2 cents two make a penny, and 8 cents to make a nickel! This is one of the reasons I propose that the government stop the production and use of these low-value coins and use the nation's money in a better way. These sources contain more facts:
Should the U.S. kill the penny?
http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/04/news/economy/end-of-penny/index.html?iid=EL
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Pennies (HBO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tyszHg96KI