Monday, December 15, 2014, 10:22 AM. Pennies are worth so much more than just a cent. It costs the U.S. Mint 1.7 cents to produce a penny, which is nearly half the price from three years ago, according to the U.S. Mint's 2014 Biennial Report to the Congress. It would cost 2.4 cents to make a single penny in 2011.