General Question About Junk Silver/Cull Silver Coins

MikeF has some good info. It helps to create contacts, especially face to face.
@Debrajc: Collector... Ohhh, you mean hoarder! ;p
"The best "bang for your buck" is usually just plain generic rounds but shop around." Agreed, with the caveat that one should either A) know what they're doing, or B) put their faith in a trusted seller. Coin shops that have been around for a long time know the fakes and will not buy them in the first place.

Economic protection, I'm thinking you mean insurance, or a hedge. If that's the case, why even quibble over a few dollars difference per ounce of silver? Personally, when I look at my insurance costs, homeowners, auto, medical, dental, I'm shelling out thousands upon thousands of dollars per year with not a single claim made or return over the last twenty years. So, silver's cost per ounce, in the long run really would mean nothing to me in that case.