PENNY OR NICKEL is a term used to refer to two of the most common coins in circulation in the United States. The penny, also known as the one-cent COIN, is made of copper-plated zinc and has a face value of one cent. The nickel, also known as the five-cent COIN, is made of an alloy of copper and nickel and has a face value of five cents. Both coins are widely used in everyday transactions and are accepted as legal tender in the United States.