[Badeye]

Hmmm. I’ve heard and read its a losing proposition no matter what the cost for base metals are, of a couple of billion per year.

I don’t have a link, just recall what I’ve read.

[Axenolith]

It was just under a cent in 2005, which is all I could grab a figure from quickly. The fact that they circulate more than once means they derive more "use" than the cost would imply too.

Additionally, they'll be a de-facto sub money in accellerated inflation as their value will rise rapidly. Just look to the scarcity of coinage circulating at "face" value in Zimbabwe for an example...

The best arguement for keeping the penny is that apparently that dim bulb Katie Couric thinks it's a good idea to ditch it, that's a counter trend signal if there ever was one...