“I’m still holding bags of junk coins bought during Jimmy Carter...”
US silver coins are a good thing to have. They are a familiar, known quantity, especially Kennedys, Washingtons and Roosevelts. People will accept these when they might not even recognize US Mint Eagles, not to mention the odder foreign stuff like Pandas or Vienna Philharmonics. And you can pick up old silver coins much easier.
At the Apmex website new silver one ounce coins are running about $21
Old junk silver is running at $18.83 per ounce
In my opinion the younger generation has less appreciation for junk silver. They don't remember when silver coins circulated. They want the bright new shiny stuff so maybe it's best to have new and old US silver. The new 10oz silver bars also look beautiful. They are extruded and hard. They used to be poured and looked crude. They are too small to want to counterfeit.