I completely agree to hold off from buying at crazy high premiums, and stack that cash for some time until the premiums cool down.

I also agree that the semi-numismatic coins are are worse. However, if someone IS buying, then they are paying crazy prices, they might as well pay another dollar more to get a better coin.

I have unconventional thinking. Previously, in 2006-08?, back when gas prices went insane, over 5 dollars per gallon, I thought that I might as well pay the extra 20 cents for the premium gas. As a percentage, with $2 gas the 20 cents over for premium is 10%... and with $5 gas the 20 cents over for premium is just 4%. Now, with crazy gas prices, I'll go pay at member clubs for gas, like Sam'sClub or Costco.

Back to silver ... similar to the gas example above ... I consider the premium based on the percentage of the cost of the silver I am getting. And there is NO reason to pay a high premium on generic silver.