How can anybody take a currency serious that is dependent on electricity and where the maintenance costs more than what we get in return?
"The Mint estimates it will cost 1.23 cents per penny and 5.73 cents per nickel this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The cost of producing a penny has risen 27% in the last year, while nickel manufacturing costs have risen 19%." -
http://www.usatoday.com/money/2006-05-09-penny-usat_x.htm (2006)
I ask that same question everytime I pull change from my pocket.