http://www.apmex.com/Category/160/Silver_Eagles___Uncirculated_2011__Prior.aspx
Eagles are best because are USA and most recognizable. I would consider 10oz silver bars that are stamped not cast. Older ones were cast but the new stamped ones are sharp looking like coins. Lower premium on those 10 ouncers http://www.apmex.com/Category/1186/Sunshine_Silver_Bars.aspx
I personally think as the demand for silver increases, the requirement for the higher end stuff (Eagles, Maples, Kooks, etc) will relax. I’m already seeing this on the boards I frequent. Non primo stuff aka “generic” is now snapped up quickly around spot.
Me, I take it any way I can get it when I have the dough. Here lately I’ve been focusing on Mercury dimes. They’re (dimes)about the smallest bits you can get real near spot.
FYI (for those that don’t know), junk silver value equation is; face X .9 X .715 X spot = value. Its currently about 23.3 X face value.
1 oz APMEX Bar
Cost = 40.40
Sale = 36.28
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Diff = 4.12
1 oz Silver Eagle
Cost = 42.04
Sale = 37.93
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Diff = 4.11
You're 1 cent ahead by going with eagles ( the margin used to be larger), not to mention easier to liqidate and possible tax advantages at time of sale. They're also legal tender and will always be worth at least $1. :)
BTW, Canadian 1 oz silver maple leafs have a face value of $5!
Bars are cheaper but dealers discount upon sale. Eagles cost more, but are not discounted upon sale, generally. eBay seems to get good sale prices, however. Rolls of Eagles are trending $810 to 850 per tonite, 100oz bars 3.7 to 3.9k. This makes retail spot in a range 37 to 41.!
Amd to think gold was $35 an ounce for over 40 years. Silver crashed to less than $0.50 during the depression, $1.29 was the magic number that made it go bye-bye from the coinage.