The Eventual 'Cost' Of Rising Silver Prices

Remember, dealers are (usually) going to maximize their profit.

Some dealers will have a steady stream of well paying buyers that like bags of junk silver. Other dealers will have a relationship with a melter/refiner.

Whichever "customer" pays the best with the least effort will get the coins. In this case, a melter buying in bulk has an edge in the game.

BadThad...I have to say reread my post..."not as much as it looks"...I do understand there are melters out there but there are also millionss of buyers that are keeping the coins (myself included)...so it's really hard for anyone to know exactly what is happening. Remember that silver was way up in the 80's and we all thought the same thing, but we're still finding it in circulation and it's sure popping up for sale.

I started collecting coins in 1956. I have never found any of the following in circulation, and it had nothing to do with melting:

half, large, FE or IHC
2, 20 or 3¢
Half Dimes, shield or V nickels
bust or Seated dimes, quarters, halves or dollars
Barber coins
trade $
gold

That's a fact. I've bought a couple of dozen Morgans in the $26-35 range in the past 3 months or so. Most looked to me like "fine" grade or perhaps a bit better. I also got a couple of uncirculated Morgans for $45 each. That was more than I wanted to pay but... they are SO beautiful!