Over the past few months there has been increasing concern voiced by U.S. Mint officials that the cost to make a cent piece exceeds the face value, despite the fact that the basic ingredient is zinc. The price of metals on the international market has gone up in the past few years, making both the cent and nickel endangered coins.

This is by no means the first time that rising metal prices have threatened the coinage of certain denominations. As early as the 1790s the infant Mint had to contend with the price of copper when setting the weights for the cent and half cent.

Related posts:

1. The Effect of Carbon Spots on Copper-Nickel Coins
2. From the Grading Room: 1973-S Dollar on a Copper-Nickel Planchet
3. Extensive collection of U.S. Copper, Nickel & Silver to be auctioned on Feb. 26 & 27: Rich Uhrich’s coins
4. Unusual Coins: Copper $10 Eagle Pattern Minted in France
5. Unusual Items: Experimental Alluminum Alloy 1942 Cent Judd-2079
6. Unusual Items : Unique Quarter Eagle Struck on 3 Cent Nickel Planchet
7. Legendary 1913 Liberty nickel, 1927-D double eagle anchor $30+ million Heritage FUN US Coin Auction
8. The 1943 Lincoln copper cent is a fascinating coin
9. New Specimen of First American Copper Coin Dug in Virginia
10. PCGS Presents Stewart Blay’s Legendary “Red Copper Collection” at ANA