Cast Vs Minted Bars? Advice From More Experience Needed

Stick with the major mints

Just remember that if you need to unload the larger the bar weight the harder it is to find a buyer, the bigger the discount off spot. I wouldn't buy anything over 10 Troy ounces. Locally in the Metro Detroit area at spot there is also at least $20.00/$30.00 discount for 100. t oz. And I have been told some pawn shops will want as much as $100. of the value above what they will pay for it.
As far as the cast or mint finished bars. Since you aren't collecting, a lot of the cast bars are collectors or pirate type issues, ship wreck with an imprint or skull cast into them.
I would stay away from an that are being sold by people contacting you or ebay, Craiglist etc. I had somebody message me on this board and wanted to sell me some he was casting at below spot first off, he said that they were 925 pure which isn't what you want, Sterling silver is 92.5 . Buy from a reputable source, The are too many fakes, con jobs, etc.
Check out you local coin dealers, and pawn shops for used silver bars people sell they sell for a lower premium above spot than new items. Stay with the well know Names like Englehard, Sunshine mint, Silvertowne.
Buy looking at a couple of the well know bullion sites and get an idea of what has higher premiums
JM Bullion, silvertowne, A-mark are a few

Just remember it will take longer to get the PM's than it says on their sites. they will hold shipment till the money is in their accounts and then there may be delays with fulfillment of the orders as some carry no inventory and depend on others to ship what they sell.

But this is a pretty good deal on a 100 oz. silver Bar...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301693878371