Understandably, attention recently has focused on the 2009 Lincoln, Early Childhood and Formative Years cents. Since few pieces are showing up in circulation, competition for Brilliant Uncirculated rolls is intense on eBay and elsewhere.

Another 2009 Lincoln coin has also been a big success. The U.S. Mint has sold out of 450,000 commemorative Lincoln Bicentennial silver dollars (325,000 Proofs and 125,000 Uncirculated) offered individually. The remaining 50,000 Proof 2009-P Lincoln silver dollars will be included in a limited-edition Lincoln Coin and Chronicles set to be issued later this year.

The success of the Mint's Web site and mail-order operation means fewer local coin shops are stocking commemorative coins from the current year than in the pre-Internet era. Rather than tying up precious capital in coins that will command a small premium over the purchase price (dealers receive no discount from the Mint), many merchants tell customers to order such products directly from the source.

For many hobbyists, eBay has become the place to obtain Lincoln dollars. Of the 102 lots offered as found in a search on May 26, the vast majority had been encapsulated by third-party grading services. None of the coins graded lower than Mint State or Proof 69, with a smattering of "perfect" MS-70 and Proof 70 examples. Overall, bids for the MS-69 and Proof 69 coins were slightly higher than the original issue price of $33.95 for the Uncirculated version and $41.95 for the Proof, plus the cost of slabbing.

The 2009-P Lincoln dollar is the third sellout of commemorative silver dollars in the 21st century. The 2001-D and -P American Buffalo dollars currently trade in the $175 range, while the 2005-P Marine Corps dollars have declined to around $50 after surging to $90 shortly after they sold out.

Don't expect the Marine Corps commemorative dollars to languish forever. When the unmatched loyalty of Marines is taken into consideration, few of the coins given to active duty and veteran "leathernecks" will be sold before the death of the owner. As new recruits become Marines, they will want a special coin of their own. The process will take some years, but the value of this 4-year-old silver dollar should appreciate steadily as time passes.