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Saving money on making money

In his new budget released today, President Obama said he wants Congress to let the Treasury Department use cheaper materials to mint our coins.

This final note today, which comes to us from page 165 of the president’s budget the White House released today.

You know that saying “A penny saved is a penny earned”? How ’bout this: A penny made more cheaply can save the government a whole boatload of money.

The president wants Congress to let the Treasury Department use cheaper — the actual phrase is “more cost-effective” — materials to mint our coins. It costs, the budget says, 2.4 cents to make a penny because copper and assorted raw materials are so expensive now; 11.2 cents to make a nickel.

Total potential savings? $50 million.

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