Collectors of Lincoln cents with the Lincoln Memorial reverse and Jefferson 5-cent coins might be rejoicing once they check the updated values for their favorite series.

Common-date Mint State 64 red-brown Lincoln cents climbed in value from 25 cents to the 40-cent level, while values for many dates rose from 75 cents to the $1 level in MS-65 red-brown.

Dozens of Jefferson 5-cent coins are now listed at 35 cents (up from 20 cents) in MS-60, while MS-63 prices have been bumped from 35 cents to the 50-cent level.

With values jumping from 33.3 percent to 75 percent in one update, it's understandable that those with large holdings would be inclined to celebrate.

Prices for Brilliant Uncirculated rolls for many Lincoln cent and Jefferson 5-cent coins have risen in recent years. But the main reason for general upward pressure in the market is simply reflective of the cost of doing business.

Dealers sell low-cost modern singles more as a service to customers than as a large source of profit. It takes just as much time and effort to place a 50-cent coin in a holder and label it as it would to do the same with a $50 piece. With the costs of shop rents, utilities, security and traveling to shows rising at a steady clip, it only makes sense that higher premiums for common items are appearing.

To obtain individual dates, dealers often have to venture into the secondary market and purchases Brilliant Uncirculated rolls at varying premiums above face value. If a dealer has 10 customers for a particular date, that leaves the business owner with 30 5-cent coins or 40 cents coins from the roll.

Those pieces have to be stored and inventoried. In some cases, these modern coins are hauled from show to show to find buyers. Collectors should think of all the effort and expenses involved in selling low-priced coins one at a time before accusing merchants of making outrageous profits.

Collectors have less expensive ways to obtain modern coins by date and Mint mark.

Modern coins tend to be cheaper when purchased in partial or complete date sets. Searching for nice examples in rolls and pocket change can lead to face value discoveries. Swapping needed dates with others may save a few dollars as well.