Because of rapidly rising metals prices, it currently costs far more for the U.S. Mint to manufacture pennies and nickels than the face value of the coins themselves. That means the government loses money making the coins, a cost to taxpayers. But under a measure recently proposed by members of the Senate and House, the Mint would have the power to alter the metal composition of coins to make them cheaper. Only Congress can change coin compositions, which happens only rarely. (USA Today, Thursday)
Houdini would envy the government's ability to make value disappear.
FEE Timely Classic
Private Coinage in America by Brian Summers