Direct answer: Based on recent data, it costs roughly 13.8 cents to manufacture a US nickel, well above its 5-cent face value. This production cost includes the material components (copper and nickel alloys) and the processing, minting, and distribution, and it has been rising due to higher prices for copper and nickel and manufacturing costs. Details and context:

• Coin composition and cost dynamics: The modern nickel is made from a copper-nickel alloy, typically 75% copper and 25% nickel, with a mass of about 5.0 grams. The raw material costs for those metals comprise a substantial portion of the total production expense, with labor, minting, and logistics adding to the total. The overall cost to produce a nickel has surpassed its face value for several years as metal prices and production expenses have climbed.

• Current price trends influence costs: Nickel and copper prices have spiked at various times in recent years, contributing to higher coin production costs. Market reports and industry analyses note that the cost to produce nickels has remained above 5 cents, driven by the metal costs and manufacturing overhead.

• Broader context: The situation mirrors trends seen in other small denomination coins, where production costs have exceeded face value, prompting discussions about reform or discontinuation in some cases.

If you’d like, I can pull the latest figures from official mint reports or financial news sources to confirm the current exact cost figure and show how it compares to prior years.